Walker Wilson

As printed in 1905

WALKER WILSON.

Walter Wilson, a resident of the township of Montrose, Lee county, Iowa, for more than forty years, donned the Union blue almost immediately on the outbreak of the Civil War, and was long a gallant soldier at the front, ever bearing himself bravely, and writing a record of which his many friends are justly proud. A generous government well remembers his sickness and privation, and his name is on the roll of those it loves and honors, ever ministering to their needs with a liberal hand.

Mr. Wilson was born in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, October 2, 1835, a son of John and Rebecca (Walker) Wilson, both natives of that state. Soon after his birth his parents removed to Athens, Tennessee, where they maintained a home some years, after which they moved to Lowell, Iowa. In 1844 they came to Lee county, where their remaining years were spent.

Walker Wilson secured his schooling in the log structures then the common type of the educational temple in Tennessee and Iowa, and early took charge of the parental homestead. On the formation of the First Iowa Cavalry he became a member of Company A, June 13, 1861, and participated in the long and honorable career which was had by the members of that gallant organization, a record that was a credit to the state and an inspiration to all who loved the starry banner they so gallantly followed. The captain of the company in which he went out to the front was a Mr. Torrence, who afterward became a colonel. Many of the other officers rose to high command, the entire body of troops being noted alike for its bravery on the field, general efficiency in all the details of war, and self-reliant action in the face of danger and surprise. It was organized at Keokuk as an independent command, and went into service with its own horses, arms and general equipment. Mr. Wilson was in the regiment for three years and four months, and during that time did duty in Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, and several other states, participated in a number of severe engagements, mainly at Prairie Grove, Little Rock and Camden. Much of the time the regiment was engaged in fighting guerrillas, principally those under Price and Ouantrell. WHiile in the service he contracted rheumatism, chronic diarrhea and hemorrhoids, and on account of their after effects, is the recipient of a handsome pension from the government.

After returning to the pursuits of peaceful life Mr. Wilson was engaged in cooking on the steamboats for some twenty years, being employed both on government boats and the Northern Line steamers. At different times he was also employed in this capacity on rafters, and every-where was regarded as an efficient and reliable man. For the past seven years he has been incapacitated for any kind of active work. He is a cheerful and genial character, and has many friends in the community, with whom he loves to recount his old-time experiences and memories. The nearest he came to being wounded during the Civil War, was when his horse was struck on the neck by a spent Minie ball, that glanced from the brass pommel on his saddle, and ranging upward, gave him a close call for time and eternity. Mr. Wilson is a member of Tip Best Post, No. 75, Grand Army of the Republic, and is now holding the position of chaplain in that organization. Once when the State Encampment was held at Cedar, he was appointed commander. In politics he is a Republican.

Mr. Wilson was married in 1856, at Sand Prairie, Lee county, to Miss Mary Jane Douglass, who died in 1858, leaving one child, James, who is now a resident of Fort Madison. Her remains were interred on Sand Prairie.

In his youthful days, Mr. Wilson heard

Joe Smitli, "the prophet," preach in Nauvno Temple many times duringthe period that the Mormons field sway in that region, and he well remembers the destruction of the Temple Infire. He knew many of the reputed bandits that flourished along the river in the early days, among them being Hodges, Barney, and perhaps eight or ten more. They lived in cabins about eighty rods from his early home, and there were quiet enough. 'hen the_\- finally left the neighborhood young 'ils(-in and his chums thought they might have left something, perhaps some coin in their cabins, thoroughly overhauled the buildings, but only seventy-five cents rewarded their labors. He remembers when the Mormons were driven out of Nauvoo, and the subsequent arrival of the Icarian fraternity from France: and it is his opinion that many of the crimes and depredations charged to the Mormons were in reality wrought by the bandits that then enjoyed such imniunify on the river. He saw the hanging of the two Hodges at Burlington in 1848. vi'ho had been condemned for murder at Davenport. At an early day he was a member of the Anti-Horse Thief Association, and was a very active defender of law and order. Mr. Wilson has a good standing in the community for his manifest honor and genuine integrity.

As printed in Biographical review of Lee County, Iowa; (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.