Frank L. Wilson

As printed in 1909

FRANK L. WILSON.

Among the prominent representatives of commercial lines in Washington is numbered Frank L. Wilson, a dealer in shoes who was born in this city, February 20, 1863. He is a son of Charles H. and Lucy (Gray) Wilson, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of West Virginia. The paternal grandfather, William Wilson, was also born in the Keystone state and in early life was a matter who afterward became closely connected with financial interests as a banker. His was an active and progressive business career and he lived to the advanced age of eighty-one or eighty-two years. His wife died in early womanhood.

150 HISTORY i)V 'ASIII.\(.T( COTXTY

Charles H. Wilson learned the printer's trade in early manhood and in 1850 came to the west, settling in Muscatine, Iowa, where he established a paper and lived for a short time. He then came to Washington where he has since made his home and for several years was proprietor of a grocery store here. Later he established a hardware store but eventually returned to the grocery line in which he continued for a long period. Later he took up the plumbing and heating business, in which he still continues and thus for more than half a century he has been connected with business interests of this city. He wedded Aliss Lucy Gray, whose parents were natives of West Virginia. Her father died in middle life while her mother passed away when about seventy-five years of age. She was one of nine children and her death occurred July 3, 1869, when she was only thirty-four years of age. After losing his first wife Charles H. Wilson wedded Miss Alice Beard and their only child is Laura, now the widow of W. R. Maxwell. By the father's first marriage there were three sons and a daughter, namely: Ella, the wife of N. Corbin, of Washington; Charles G., of Chicago: Frank L.; and Bert, deceased. The father reared his family in Washington, where for many years he has been known as an honored and representative citizen and leading business man. He has also figured somewhat prominently in public life, acting as a member of the state legislature for two terms, during which period his support of vital public measures made him a factor m promoting the substantial development of the commonwealth.

Throughout his entire life Frank L. Wilson has remained in Washington and at the usual age he entered the public schools, passing through consecutive grades. When he had put aside his text-books he engaged m clerking in a grocery store for about five years. He then began clerking in a shoe store after conducting the grocery business for a time m partnership with his father. Entering the shoe trade he was employed by J. Albert Williams and soon purchased an interest in the business which was conducted under the firm style of J. Albert Williams & Company. The senior partner died January 25, 1890, but the business was continued under the old name until January 1, 1904, when the name was changed to Frank L. Wilson & Company. The store is well appointed and a large and attractive line of goods is carried for which a ready sale is found, Mr. Wilson having from the beginning enjoyed a liberal and constantly increasing patronage.

On the 7th of October, 1884, Mr. Wilson was married to Miss Hattie Williams, who was born in Feeding Hills, Massachusetts, an only daughter of J. Albert and Cornelia L. (Bidwell) Williams. Her father was a native of Connecticut and on the 9th of February, 1864, arrived in Washington, Iowa, where he established a boot and shoe business, in which he continued until his death. His widow still survives him and now lives with her daughter. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been bom three children: Lucy Gray, Nena Frances and Ruth Harriet. The parents are members of the Methodist church and Mr. Wilson is serving on the official board. In various activities of the church they are interested and are generous contributors to its support. Mr. Wilson is also a member of Washington Lodge, No. 26, A. F. & A. M.; Cyrus Chapter. R. A. M.: and Orion Lodge, No. 75, K. P. Polit-

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

As printed in History of Washington County, Iowa from the first white settlements to 1908. Also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.