Stillwell Obit, Pulaski Co, AR

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Submitted by: Shirley Young
Email:  <sjyoung@futura.net>
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                    Death of Joseph Stillwell.

	Although the sad event was not unexpected, it has never been our 
lot to perform a more painful duty, than that of recording the death of 
our sometime business associate and beloved friend, JOSEPH STILLWELL, who 
departed this life at his residence in Arkansas county, on the 11th 
inst., of consumption.
	Mr. Stillwell was born near Arkansas Post, in the then territory 
of Arkansas, in 1826, and was, at the time of his death,  44 years of 
age.  His father, HAROLD  STILLWELL, immigrated to this country at the 
age of six years, with his father, JOSEPH STILLWELL, Senior, in 1796, or 
while the country was under Spanish domination, and afterwards remained 
under that of the French.  Joseph Stillwell, senior,  was the first 
American peace officer ever appointed in the limits of the present state 
of Arkansas, having been made sheriff, after the cession of Louisiana to 
the United States.  Both Joseph and Harold Stillwell were prominent men 
in their day and served in several places of trust and honor.
	JOSEPH, the subject of this notice, enjoyed the small advantages 
for acquiring an education that the country afforded at the early date of 
his youth, but made good use of them.  He remained during his youth at 
the paternal home, in Arkansas county, until 1848, when he came to his 
city and began the study of the law in the office of ABSALOM FOWLER.  
Shortly after obtaining a license (about 1852) to practice, and directly 
after the withdrawal of R. C. Farrelly, he became interested in the 
Arkansas Whig, a newspaper printed in this city at the time, and edited 
it with marked ability, until about 1853 when he became associated as 
junior partner with Col. Fowler, in the practice of law.  On the death of 
Col. Fowler, in June, 1859, he associated himself  with Mr. Wassell, and 
afterwards  with Mr. C. B. Moore, and continued the practice until 
failing health compelled him to abandon it about one year ago.
	He served two terms in the lower house of the state legislature 
from Pulaski county, and one term during the war in the senate,  from the 
district composed of Pulaski and Prairie counties.  During the 
administration of Mr. Fillmore he was appointed United States district 
attorney, which position he held  some years and afterwards resigned.  He 
was married in 1853 to MARY, daughter of HARTWELL BOSWELL, late of 
Independence County, and leaves a widow and four children to morn his 
loss.
	In the days of the Whig party, Mr. Stillwell was an ardent 
supporter of its platform.  In the troubles which immediately preceded 
the war he was a firm and unswerving union man, and as such was elected a 
delegate to the constitutional or "secession" convention of 1861, from 
this county, and formed one of the union majority which controlled its 
deliberations, until the unwise and unhappy course of Mr. Lincoln in 
calling out troops to overcome the rebellion by force, precipitated the 
late the late unhappy war upon the country.  Then rightly he followed his 
personal sympathy for his own household and people, and risked life and 
property in defence of their cause.  He served about six months as acting 
quartermaster in the confederate army, when ill health compelled his 
resignation--which Gen. Hindman, his personal enemy, reluctantly 
accepted.
	As a politician he was honest, consistent and patriotic,--as a 
lawyer and orator, he was the peer of any in the land;  as a friend he 
was devoted to the peril of life and fortune.  Most of the enmities which 
he held or incurred in life were acquired by his fidelity to the fortunes 
of his friend and patron, Absalom Fowler.  Intimates only knew the 
sacrifices which he made under the influence of that affection, which 
grappled the fortunes of the two with more than the strength of  hooks of 
steel.  But it was in the calm serenity of domestic life that the true 
beauty of his soul was most apparent.  He was truly devoted to his family 
and friends and was utterly unselfish.
	Although a life-time invalid he was possessed of a rich humor and 
a wealth of anecdote, mostly founded upon scenes in early Arkansas 
history and professional practice.  He was one of the pleasantest of 
companions.   When he talked all listened.  It will require many years to 
obliterate from memory the remembrance of many pleasant hours of 
association, in the office, on the circuit and by the camp fire.
	As to the mind, none but the pleasantest of memories can be 
recalled at the mention of his name, so may it be over his grave: None 
but beautiful flowers can spring above the form of JOSEPH STILLWELL.

[Joseph Stillwell d. 11 Mar 1870]