My Genealogy Hound

Hon. Elliot R. Willcox was born in Rochester, Oakland County, Michigan, February 24, 1838. He was the son of Lyman J. Willcox, an early pioneer, who was an extensive farmer and manufacturer, and who was a prominent factor in the history of the county. Mr. Willcox received his early training in the old Rochester Academy, and later graduated from the literary department of the University of Michigan. He then became principal of the schools of Rochester and Almont for a time, after which he took up the study of law in the office of Willcox & Gray in Detroit. He also studied in the law department of the University of Michigan, and was admitted to the bar of Oakland County in 1869; from that time until his last sickness and death in April, 1897, he was in active practice continually — in the local, State and Federal courts. His reputation was wide spread as a good pleader, a wise counselor, and an able exponent of the principles and precedents on which the laws of the land are based.

He was also recognized as a man of enterprise and much public spirit, not only in the community where he made his home, but throughout the State as well.

In 1871 with a company of friends he organized the Detroit & Bay City Railroad Company, with a capital of $2,000,000, and besides this raised $400,000 by local subscription. He also secured the right of way, and let the contract for the building of the road, and the work was completed within two years from the organization of the company. Mr. Willcox was secretary, attorney and director of the road. In 1873 he built and equipped a brick paper mill at Rochester at a cost of $25,000, and developed a new water power for the same, one of the best in the county. In 1868 he was elected to the State House of Representatives and although one of the youngest, he was one of the most active members of that body. He introduced the first resolution which led to the admission of women to the State University. At the extra session, he resisted successfully any legislation or amendment to the Constitution to allow municipalities to vote aid by taxes to railroads. He was elected to the State Senate in 1876 by a large majority. He served on five standing committees including the judiciary. One of his pet laws is Chapter 8, Howell’s Statutes. In the interest of election reform he prepared this law and made it of general application, without a precedent to follow in framing it. Its practical use has been fully demonstrated and it has lately been engrafted into the election laws of this State without alteration or amendment. He was four years a member of the State Democratic Central Committee and was recognized as one of the leaders of the Democratic party in the State. He was defeated for Congress in 1894 after making a good run. In every campaign after he became a voter, he had been active in the ranks and on the rostrum, yet he was superior to party prejudice and allowed it to have no weight in his social and business relations.

He was studious in his profession, a thorough and systematic reader, both professional and miscellaneous. He was a man of high aims and lofty standards, and will be remembered for his fine social and conversational qualities, and as a lawyer of rare attainments.