The Wilson Families of Clinton County, Iowa

GEORGE E. WILSON.

Among the honored and influential citizens of Clinton, Iowa, is George E. Wilson, who has shown what an earnest and energetic, hardworking man can accomplish, although forced to hew his own fortune from obstacles that best his way. He started life without financial aid from anybody; has been industrious, and has adhered to those principles and ideals that always insure success, so that his twilight years are being passed in the midst of plenty and serenity.

Mr. Wilson is an American by adoption only, being by birth one of our esteemed English cousins. He was born in England March 18, 1847, the son of George and Eliza (Roberts) Wilson. His mother died in England, after which his father brought the family to the United States in the year 1856, settling near Rockford, Illinois, where he became well established and prominent. He was a man of sterling characteristics and was highly respected. He met death in a railroad accident near Rockford in 1892.

George E. Wilson, the subject of this review, was reared on a farm, where he remained until about seventeen years of age. In his youth he also worked in a reaper factory and a flour mill, and later learned the foundry and machine business. He spent the period after the Civil war in Louisiana and Alabama, and shortly thereafter went to Beloit, Wisconsin, where he was with the Merrill and Houston Manufacturing Company for two years. Later he located in Sterling, Illinois, where he was engaged in the foundry and machine business for several years. In 1892 he purchased the Clinton Bridge Iron Works, at Clinton, Iowa. This company is one of the leading concerns of the state, and is too well known to require lengthy description here. Under Mr. Wilson's able and judicious management it has maintained an envied position in the industrial world. Its business is constantly increasing.

Mr. Wilson came to America at the age of nine. He was the only son of a family of four children. Of an ambitious and studious nature, he has become, by home study and actual contact with the world, a highly educated man in many branches. He is an interesting ciMuersationalist on current topics, possessing a broad and general knowledge.

Mr. Wilson was married June 4, 1871, to Hannah Marie Fitzmaurice, daughter nf John and Alibie Louise Mtzmaurice. Mrs. Wilson's parents came from the north of Ireland and settled near BelVidere, Illinois, where she was born. The union of i\lr. and Mrs. Wilson has been blessed by the birth of five children, named as follows: Louise, who is at home; George E., Jr., I-'rank I'' J. Fred and Orrin A. The latter is Pacific coast agent of the Clinton Bridge & Iron Works at San I'francisco. The other three sons are connected with the Clinton office. The four sons and father constitute the board of directors of the company-.

Mr. Wilson manifested his loyalty to his adopted country during the great crisis in the sixties by forsaking the pleasures of home and offering his.services during the Civil war by enlLsting in the Fiftv-second Illinois Aolunteer Infantry, Company E, about six months before Lee's surrender, but owing to the fact that the war was drawing to a close he was not permitted to see active service. Twice before this enlistment he had run away from home to become a soldier, but his father interfered each time owing to his youth. He won his father's consent in the end.

Mr. Wilson is a member of all the different Masonic bodies of the Work and Scottish Rites. He has always taken an active interest in the progress of Clinton and vicinity and has ever stood ready to do his full share in the work of upbuilding this locality in any way. He has always manifested an abiding interest in county, state and national affairs, and is regarded by all who know him as a high-minded, progressive man. While living at Sterling he served very acceptably as alderman, during which time many of the public improvements of the city were inaugurated. In addition to his private interests, he is president of the Merchants National Bank of Clinton, which institution is regarded as one of the most popular, safe and conservative banks in eastern Iowa. Mr. Wilson's home is at No. 306 Sixth avenue.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM LESTER WILSON.

It is proper to judge of the success and the states of a man's life by the estimation in which he is held by his fellow citizens. They see him at his work, in his family circle, at his devotions, hear his views on public questions, observe the outcome of his code of morals, witness how he conducts himself in all the relations of society and civilization and thus become competent to judge of his merits and demerits. In Lyons and Clinton county there is nothing heard concerning William Lester W'wilson, who has spent many long years of toil and association with the people of this locality, lint good words, ha\ing" passed so many years here that his worth is well known.

Mr. W'wilson was born near Williamsport, Pennsylvania, July 1, 1825, and is the son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (I'refer) Wilson, the father having been a native of New Jersey. The latter spent his life as a farmer, emigrating to I'enns\ hanna at an earl_\- age. Lie married Elizabeth Brewer, a native of Lennsylvania, after reaching this state, and this union resulted in the birth of eleven children, four of whom are now living. The elder Wilson came west in 1852 and located on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Lincoln township, Clinton county, and in that year his wife died there. In 1854 Jonathan Wilson moved to Blackhawk comity. Iowa, and there died soon afterwards. He was a very successful farmer of the early days and was known as a man of piety and generosity. Politically, he was a Republican and, religiously, a member of the Society of Friends.

William L. Wilson, the immediate subject of this review, was reared on the farm in Munsey Valley. W'hen but a hoy he became acquainted with the labor of the fields during the crop seasons, attending the neighboring schools during the winter months. In 1850 he came to Davenport, Iowa, where he spent two years, then moved to a farm west of Clinton. He purchased fort\- acres of his father's old farm, and later added one hundred and thirty-two acres, making a very valuable farm of one hundred and seventy-two acres. Mr. Wilson farmer this place fifty years, during which long period he brought it up to a high state of perfection and made an excellent living, besides laying by a competency for his old age, retiring from active work in 1901.

Politically, Mr. Wilson is a Republican and has lung stood by the party. He served for some time as justice of the peace in Lincoln township, and also as school director. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist church and a liberal supporter of the same.

Mr. Wilson was married on January 1, 1867, to Margaret Ann Dutcher, who was born on January 1. 1837. She was the daughter of a sturdy old Canadian family and was born in Canada. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, namely: Pearl D.. the wife of Daniel Herring, of Clinton, and Arthur R., who is now very ably filling the responsible position of Indian agent at the White Earth Indian agency in Minnesota.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HON. JOHN L. WILSON.

Hon. John L. Wilson is one of the lead rs of the Democratic party in Clinton county, his large acquaintance and unbounded popularity giving him an influential following, while his shrewd judgment of men and affairs make his counsel of value in all important movements. He is also one of the most successful farmers and stock-raisers of Elk River township, his home being on section thirty-six. He is a son of Matthew and Sybella ( Rugh) Wilson, both natives of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where they were married June 21, 1849. In early life the father learned the carpenter's trade, and was employed as ship carpenter on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers for two years. He spent about fourteen years on the water, however, and rose to the rank of first mate, in which capacity he was serving when he left the river. Returning to his native county, he made his home there for a few years after his marriage, during which time two children were born to him, and the older one died. In 1855 he came to Clinton county, Iowa, and rented a farm adjoining that now owned and occupied by our subject. Shortly afterward he purchased eighty acres of wild land, and in 1865 erected a stone house upon that place, making it his permanent home. As one of the early settlers of the county, he was actively identified with its growth and development, and was always regarded as one of the most useful and valued citizens of his community. The services he rendered his fellow townsmen were widespread and cheerfully given, and he was held in the highest regard by all who knew him. In his political views he was a stalwart Democrat, and never wavered in his allegiance to his party. He died August 27, 1884, and his wife passed away May 17, 1882. She was a faithful and consistent member of the Lutheran church; was gentle and motherly, and won many friends by the sweetness and beauty of her life.

Of the four children born to them, the oldest and youngest both died when quite young. Of those living Anna M. is the older, and to her the father left the five hundred and twenty acres of land he owned in Story county, Iowa. She is the wife of James Robb, a successful farmer and stock- 47i raiser of that county, who is the owner of nine hundred acres of valuable farming land there, and is now practically living retired in Ames. They have three children, Lula, Roy and Glenn.

John L. Wilson, of this review, complete the family. He began his education in the district schools of Elk River township, and later attended the Clinton Commercial Business College, where he was graduated with high honors in penmanship and bookkeeping February 18, 1876, receiving his diploma and the commendation of all concerned in his success. To him his father left all his property in Clinton county, and he now has a fine farm of three hundred and sixty acres in Elk River township, under a high state of cultivation and well improved. Besides this property he own-; ninety acres of timber land, and is to-day one of the most prosperous and substantial men of his community. He devotes considerable attention to stock-raising, and in all his undertakings is meeting with marked success.

On the 15th of February, 1880, Mr. Wilson married Miss Susie E. Cook, who was born in Hampshire township, this county, September 25, 1860, and was educated in the district schools. Her parents, John B. and Rebecca (Miller) Cook, were born, reared and married in Ohio, and in 1848 came to Iowa, locating in Hampshire township, Clinton county. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson became the parents of five children, namely: Anna E., who died at the age of ten years: Charles M., who is taking a commercial course at the Clinton Business College; Ollie, who died at the age of six years; John L., Jr., and Clara Vernon, both at home.

Socially Mr. Wilson is a thirty-second degree Mason, and a member of the Eastern Star Chapter, and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He is preeminently public-spirited and progressive, and does all in his power to advance the interests of his township and county. He has not only been called upon to fill various local offices, but has been elected to the twenty-fifth, twenty-sixth, twenty-seventh and twenty-eighth general assemblies, being the only Democrat on his ticket elected in 1894, while in the twenty-eighth general assembly he was one of the four Democrats appointed chairman of a committee, securing the chairmanship of the committee on public lands. He was also a member of the committee on appropriations; congressional and judicial districts; agriculture, military, federal relations; and banks. In 1898 he served on the railroad and commerce, claims, compensation of public offices, animal industry, industrial schools, representative districts, ways and means committees. He ably represented his district, and was one of the most active and influential members of the house.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.