From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
Publ. 1912 - Page 968-971
 
BENJAMIN J. BILL, M.D.  If definite accomplishment in the utilization of 
subject power and ability is to be the criterion of success, then Dr. Benjamin 
J. BILL, of Genoa Junction, one of the best known physicians of Walworth 
county, certainly has achieved success in one of the noblest callings of man.  
Looking into the clear perspective of his career, there may be seen the strong 
lines of courage, persistence, determination and self-confidence - qualities 
which alone work forward to the goal of worthy and distinct achievement.
 
Dr. BILL is descended from a long line of sterling ancestors, and was born in 
Plainfield, Connecticut, August 24, 1850.  The name BILL is an English word of 
Norman origin.  It will be remembered that in the period of the Norman 
conquest of England, the invading soldiers were divided into knights, mounted 
and clad in full armor; battle-axe or bill-men, whose weapons had a hook or 
blade or bill attached; and archers.  The former continued to be called bill-
men long after the conquest, and when surnames came into use during the first 
fifty years of the fourteenth century, their descendants took the name of 
BILL, and this is consequently one of the very oldest names in England, being 
directly traceable in a single community for about five hundred years.  The 
first of the name of whom we have authentic record was Dr. Thomas BILL, who 
was born in Bedforshire in 1490, and was a physician of great note, having 
attended both King Henry VIII and Edward VII, also Princess Elizabeth, 
afterwards Queen Elizabeth.  One of the most famous of the family and one of 
the learned men of his day in England was William BILL, D.D., LL.D., who was 
born in Ashwell in Herefordshire about 1505.  He became master of St. John's 
College, vice-chancellor of the university and one of the King's chaplains.  
He was ejected by Queen Mary for his pronounced faith in Protestantism, but he 
was recalled by Queen Elizabeth, and became her chief almoner, and was 
restored as master of Trinity and elected provost of Eton College.  He was 
installed dean of Westminster, June 30, 1560, being the first incumbent of 
that office; on July 15th of the following year his death occurred and he was 
interred in Westminster Abbey.  No other person ever held at the same time the 
three important positions enumerated above.  He was an author of note and some 
of his writings are now in the university collections.  Both his son Charles 
and his daughter Mary held many important positions.  John BILL, born in the 
parish of Much Wenlock, appears in London in 1606, as a publisher to King 
James I.  One of the earliest volumes showing the imprint of Mr. BILL is that 
written by the king himself, and it is now a book of great value, because of 
its antiquity and rarity.  He was the first king's printer.  From 1607 until 
1700 the names of John BILL and his son, Charles, his successor, appear as 
publishers.  Several important and successful publishing houses have been 
formed in America by Gurdon, Ledyard, Henry, James A., Avery BILL, and many of 
them have been prominent in political and civic affairs.
 
The first of the family to emigrate to America was John BILL and his wife, who 
settled in Massachusetts about 1630, making their home near Boston.  It is 
probable that he was the son of the first kings' printer.  His death occurred 
in 1638, leaving three sons, James, Thomas and Philip, the majority of the 
BILLS in America have descended from him, over one thousand persons bearing 
his name at the present time, and they are to be found in many states of the 
Union.  John WINTHROP, later governor of Connecticut, prevailed upon Philip 
BILL to settle on the east bank of the Thames at New London, Connecticut, the 
town of Groton now occupying the site of his homestead.  Dr. Benjamin J. BILL, 
of this sketch, belongs to the eighth generation of descendants of Philip 
BILL.  He is the son of  Jephthah Gear BILL and Prudence P. (BENJAMIN ) BILL, 
who were the parents of three children, , those besides the Doctor being 
Harriett P. YOUNG, of Griswold, New London county, Connecticut, and Anna 
Isabella, who died when thirteen years old.  The father, a prosperous farmer 
and influential citizen, still lives at Norwich, Connecticut, where he has 
held many public offices, including that of representative to the state 
Legislature.  For many years both he and his wife have been members of the 
Methodist church, long active in church and charitable work.
 
The BENJAMINS have also been a prominent Connecticut family from pioneer times 
and are of English origin.  Many generations are buried in the churchyard at 
Griswold, Connecticut, among them being Eames BENJAMIN, a soldier in the war 
of 1812.  Like the BILLS they have always borne excellent reputations as 
citizens in all the relations of life.
 
Among the BILL family we find many physicians, ministers, book publishers and 
agriculturists, also find the names of a number of noted army surgeons, 
including Dr. James Howland BILL, Dr. Curtis Harvey BILL and Dr .Frederick 
BILL.
 
Dr. Benjamin J. BILL, of this sketch, grew to manhood in the east and he 
attended the Providence Conference Seminary, of East Greenwich, Rhode Island, 
and after leaving there, at the age of nineteen, he began studying medicine 
under Dr. R. C. YOUNG, at Voluntown, Connecticut.  In 1871 he came west and 
the following winter attended a course of lectures in the medical department 
of the university of Michigan at Ann Arbor, later entering Rush Medical 
College in Chicago, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 
1879.
 
Doctor BILL's domestic life began on September 1, 1873, when he was united in 
marriage with Rebecca COGGESHALL, a daughter of Dr. S. W. and Mary COGGESHALL, 
natives of Little Compton, Rhode Island.  She was a devoted Methodist, in 
which faith she passed to her rest on December 11, 1875.  Doctor BILL was 
again married, on September 13, 1877, to Sarah STICKLAND, a daughter of George 
and Harriet (TOMS) STICKLAND, natives of England.  To the latter union seven 
children were born, namely: Benjamin J., Harriet P., Ann Isabella, Luther L., 
Kenneth G., Ransom S., and F. Olivet.
 
Doctor BILL and his wife are members of the Congregational church, and he is 
now serving as clerk of the local congregation.  They have a large, 
comfortable home which is the frequent gathering place for their many friends 
who are always made to feel welcome.  Politically, the Doctor's a Republican.  
He has served as a member of the school board for many years, which office he 
still holds.  He belongs to the State Medical Society and the American Medical 
Association, and he was formerly a member of the Fox River Medical Society.  
He is surgeon for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company.
 
Doctor BILL has practiced his profession continuously at Genoa Junction for 
over thirty years, enjoying a large and ever-growing practice and ranking 
among the ablest of his compeers in the medical work in this part of the 
state  He has always been a profound student and has kept well abreast of the 
times in all that pertains to his profession.
 
Seven children have been born to Doctor BILL and wife, namely: Benjamin J., 
Jr., Harriet P., Ann Isabella, Luther Lisle, Kenneth Geer, Ranson, and Francis 
Olivet.  They are all living; the eldest who married Lotta DEIGNAN, still 
resides in Genoa Junction, and they have three children, Harriet, Benjamin and 
Theron.
 
Submitted by Carol