Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Whiteside County, IL
Originally published 1885 Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL
Transcribed by: Brandi McLoughlin

Roswell B. Denison., general farmer and stock-raiser, and one of the energetic and prosperous farmers of the county, residing on section 11, Tampico Township, was born in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, March 27, 1836, his parents being William and Emeline (Bill) Denison, of New England ancestry and of Scotch and English Descent. The senior Denison was also a farmer, and in 1854 he emigrated West with his family, locating in the village of Prophetstown, this county. Five days afterward he died of cholera; Mrs. D. yet survives, being about 73 years of age. Mr. Denison of this sketch remained at home with his mother for some years after the death of his father. In 1854 he purchased a tract of land, improved and occupied it three years before his marriage. He continued upon it for three years after-ward, then lived three years in Hume Township and finally, in 1868, he purchased 240 acres of wild land where he now resides. This is now nearly all improved and furnished with farm buildings of fair quality. Mr. Denison is a positive Republican, and has held the minor offices of his township. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which body he has been Trustee. He was married May 8, 1862, to Miss Jenette P. Paddock, daughter of Isaac and Christina (Wager) Paddock. Her father, a farmer, was a native of New York, and after marriage settled in Lewis County, that State, where she was born May 2, 1845. She was six years old when her parents emigrated West to Illinois, locating in Prophetstown, where she was reared, educated and married. She also is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Denison have six children, namely: Ada V., born February 17, 1863; Ervin I., born January 21, 1867; Everett W., born October 10, 1868; Jennie E., born August 9, 1873; Elmer R. born July 16, 1875; Earl M., February 23, 1883.