Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 188 - 189 

COL. S. E. JOCELYN.  Among the citizens of mark in this community no one is more worthy of consideration that the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch.  He is a man of wide and varied  experience, and since taking up his residence in Wichita, in 1873, has exerted a beneficial influence in promoting its prosperity and development.  His management of the affairs of the county as Commissioner, relieving the county of a vast bonded indebtedness, forms a very important chapter in its history, and was a prime factor in its subsequent prosperity.  During the trying days of the great Civil War he stood firmly in defense of the Union, and took a prominent and distinguished part in the Department of the Pacific, being three times promoted.

      Col. Jocelyn was born Dec. 8, 1832, in Herkimer County, N. Y., and is the son of James and Gertrude (Krantz) Jocelyn, natives of New Hampshire and Herkimer County, N. Y.  His father was a farmer, and moved to Oswego County, the latter State, in 1837, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death.  From him his son, of whom we write, inherited those traits of firmness and vigorous judgment which have been such prominent factors in his career, both as a soldier and citizen.

      Our subject lived on his father's farm until he was sixteen years of age.  The three following years he spent in completing his education and in teaching.  In 1855 he threw aside his duties as an instructor, and started for the wide West, ambitious to achieve a name and a place for himself among the wide-awake citizens of the Pacific Coast.  He engaged in mining in California for several years, passing through all the varied experiences and scenes of that life.  He afterward embarked in the mercantile business for a time.  He was in Arizona on a prospecting tour when the war broke out, and as soon as he received the news he retraced his steps to California, with the earnest and patriotic resolve to offer his services to the Government.  He there helped to raise a company of infantry, and was appointed Captain of Company A, 3d California Infantry and Veterans' Battery.  His ability and faithful discharge of his duties won for him a deserved promotion to Gen. Connor's staff as Adjutant General.  He did  efficient service as an officer in the Department of the Pacific for five years.

      In 1866 Col. Jocelyn returned to the East, and after spending several months in Washington, he went to New York, and in Fulton, the central part of the State, in 1868, he married Miss Madeleine R. Taylor, daughter of Maj. Albert Taylor.  Of this union five children have been born, of whom four are living, namely: Genevra M., Stephen Raymond Ray, Shirley T. and Theodore.

      Our subject remained a resident of New York for some years after marriage, and was prosperously engaged as a merchant, but his close application to his business caused his health to decline, and in 1873 he settled up his affairs, disposed of his property, and came to Wichita, that he might derive benefit from its fine climate.  But his active temperament would not permit him to live in retirement, and he soon embarked in the stock and grain business, and also established a grocery.  In these enterprises he was successful, and accumulated considerable wealth.  He finally turned his attention to his present business as a loan and real estate agent, with an office at 125 North Main street, and in this also he is prospered.  He owns valuable property, and has laid out four additions to Wichita, which are pleasantly located in a desirable part of the city. 

     Col. and Mrs. Jocelyn have a pleasant residence at No. 346 North Topeka avenue, where they always cordially welcome their numerous friends.  In politics our subject is, and always has been, a hearty supporter of the Republican party.  He is prominent among the men of the Masonic fraternity; both as a man of business and as a true citizen, he is held in high esteem by his fellow-citizens.

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