My Genealogy Hound

HUTCHINSON, J. W. banker, Greenfield, is a native of Pike County, born Sept. 14, 1841; son of Samuel and Laura B. Hutchinson, whose maiden name was Batcheller, who are esteemed people, and came to this State about the year 1835. His mother died when he was quite young, while his father is still living. The subject of this writing launched out on his own account at the age of fifteen, came to the town north of Greenfield, and worked for Joel Edwards for two years; the first year was on the farm, and the second year worked at the carpenter trade. We next find him at Naples, engaged as a clerk for Wallace Parker. In the Fall of 1859 he went to Philadelphia, where he entered the Polytechnic College, and remained until his graduation, which dates June 28, 1861, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Civil Engineers. On Nov. 5, received an appointment as Third Assistant Engineer, and was ordered to the U. S. steamship Tuscarora, which was sent to the Azores, then to Southhampton, Eng., in pursuit of the Confederate steamer Nashville; next sailed to Gibraltar, Spain, where they spied the Confederate steamer Sumpter, which vessel being in English waters, and the Tuscarora in Spanish, the latter held her in blockade during the space of four months, eyeing her in the meantime with an eagle gaze, having steam up the entire time, and the result was, the Sumpter never escaped, but was finally sold; next they sailed up toward Liverpool to intercept the Alabama, but she did not reach her destination soon enough, and the Alabama escaped; subsequent to this the Tuscarora was cruising about in various waters, in pursuit of the Alabama; returned to the States in April, 1863. During the Summer they were out on several expeditions visiting various places, Newfoundland, and others; then returned to Boston during the Fall of the same year, and was sent to Wilmington, N. C, and took part in the blockade, where they remained until the following May, 1864; from here she was sent to Baltimore to undergo repairs. From here, J. W. was detached, and reported to Philadelphia to undergo examination for a commission as Second Assistant Engineer, which promotion he received in July; he was ordered to the Susquehanna, and sent to Fort Fisher, and assisted in its capture. He resigned, April, 1865, and returned to Philadelphia. During the time J. H. was attending school at the Polytechnic College, he was a member of the Keystone Battery, commanded by J. O. Winchester; he is now an honorary member of that body. This battery played a conspicuous part in the late railroad strike, in subduing the strike in that locality with her Gatlin gun. In June, 1865, Mr. H. went to Colorado, and was in the employ of the Colorado Gold Mining Company of Philadelphia, in which remained about a year. He was then appointed Deputy County Clerk and Assessor of Park Co. In August, 1867, went to Cheyenne; where he was appointed Clerk of the United States and Territorial Dist. Court, also Clerk of the Supreme Court of same Territory. In Sept. 16, 1868, he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Sheffield, daughter of G. T. W. Sheffield, who was born August 8th, 1843. They have had four children, three are living: Samuel S., born Sept. 2, 1869; George A., born Oct. 10, 1872; Florence, born Oct. 7, 1875. After his appointment as Clerk in the above named Courts, he served four years, and in Feb. 1872, resigned and came to Waverly, Morgan Co., and engaged in the banking business in the firm of Sheffield, Hutchinson & Co., where he remained three years. In March, 1875, he moved to Greenfield, Ill., and engaged in same business with same parties, and has since been engaged in the above named business. He is a member of the M. E. Church, and of Carrollton Chapter No. 77. Also present W. M. of Greenfield Lodge No. 129.