Will County ILGenWeb Biographies..... 
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File contributed for use by:
Dori Leekly & Margie Glenn

Author: History of Will County IL, 1878

Abijah CAGWIN, dealer in grain; Joliet; was born in Oneida Co. N. Y., May 19, 1807; in 1824, 
he removed with his parents to Brockport, Monroe Co., and there began business as a tanner 
and currier, owning an extensive tannery which burned down in 1834; he was also engaged in 
shoe manufacturing. He came to Will Co., in 1835, and settled about two miles from Joliet; 
then Juliet, where he built a saw mill, in which he sawed the lumber used in building the 
first grain warehouse in Will Co., which Mr. CAGWIN erected a few years later. Here he was 
elected Justice of the Peace, serving eight years; in 1839, he was elected County Judge, and 
moved into the city; at the expiration of his four years' service as County Judge, he 
engaged in merchandising, afterward associating with him his brother, Francis L. CAGWIN; 
in 1856, he with others, established the Will County Bank, the firm being CAGWIN, HIGINBOTHAM 
& Co.; a few years afterward, he engaged in the grain and produce business, which he has 
continued to the present time. He has served three terms as City Treasurer; one term on the 
Board of Supervisors, and four years as Supt. of the Will County Alms-house and Poor Farm. 
He was married in 1827, to Miss Hannah SCRIBER, of Brockport, N. Y., but formerly from 
Rutland Co., Vt., and has eight children - Merritt O., of Elwood, IL, Helen A. (Mrs. Elvis 
HARWOOD, of Joliet), Sarah A. (Mrs. BARRITT, of Joliet), Thomas P., of Joliet, Hamden A., 
of Joliet, Nancy A., of Joliet, Rose L. (Mrs. A. R. BRIGGS, of Joliet), and Abijah S., of Joliet.


Additional Comments:
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS; Chicago: Wm LeBaron Jr & Co, 186 Dearborn Street, 1878.