William Lester Wilson

As printed in 1911

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 Wolfe's history of Clinton County, Iowa (1911). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.