William Wilson

As printed in 1887

ILLIAM WILSON, Ju., is the pioneer hardware merchant of Washington, having been engaged in that business since 18.56. He is a native of Pennsylvania, burn in Uniontown, Fayette County, Aug. 11, 1832, and is the son of William Wilson, fSr., and Minerva.1. (Hcllen) Wilson. William Wilson, fSr., wo born in York, Pa., Oct. 30, 1803, and after learning the matter's trade, in May, 1826. he went to Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pa., where he was employed as a journeyman matter by Benjamin Ilellen, whose daughter, Minerva J. Ilellen, he m.irried in 1829. She died Feb. 17, 183" leaving four children: William, Jr., and Charles 11., of Washington, Iowa; Jane B., wife of William WhitUikor, of Alliance. Ohio; and Juliet IL, of Uniontown.

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National Bank, Pittsburgh, Pa. Mr. AVilsou abandoned the hatting business in 1 85.5, and soon after took charge of the banking business of John T. Hogg, of I'niontown. On the organization of the bank of Fayette County, in 1858, he was elected cashier, and when it was changed to a National Bank continued its cashier until Aug. 19, 1878, when he resigned on account of weight of years. On his resignation the officers and directors of the hank presented him with a fine gold watch, and passed a series of resolutions expressing regret that he felt it necessary' to sever his connection as cashier. They speak of his "sound judgment, wise counsel, firm business capacity and great personal influence," and "bear unani)ous testimony to the unswerving integrity, constant industry and fidelity, and great financial skill and ability, with which he has always conducted the business of the bank." Mr. Wilson united with the SIcthodist Episcopal Church in 1828, and was an active and consistent Christian till his death, which occurred March 26, 1885. For more than half a century he discharged faithfully the duties of the various lay odices of his church, and at his death was an active Steward and Trustee. William Wilson, Sr., was a man of sterling integrity- and steadfastness of purpose, with great kindness of heart, and a capacity* for enjoying fully' the social relations of life.

William Wilson, Jr., w.as reared in his native town and educated in the common sciiools. In 1853, on reaching his majority, he left his native State and came to Iowa, first locating at Muscatine, where he was employed by II. W. Moore, as a clerk in his hardware store. In 1856, he came to Washington, purchased a stock of goods, and commenced the hardware business, in which he has since been engaged, now almost one-third of a century. From a small beginning, he lias increased stock and trade, until, to meet its requirements, he now occupies a building 22x130 feet, three stories in height. His stock is large and varied, consisting of everything demanded in his line in this section. For a time he was associated with his brother, Charles H., in the business, but for the past few years has had as a partner his son.

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Mr. Wilson attained his majority at the time when tile slaver.y question was the all inipoitant one before the American people. The Whig party had shown its utter inability to grasp the situation, slave-holders were becoming more and more arrogant in their demands; the Missouri Compromise, which for nearly a quarter of a century had served to allay the years of both those in favor of and those opposed to slavery, was, in 1854, repealed by the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act; the Freesoil peoi)le of the North were aroused, and the Republican party sprang into being. With that new party, whose principles were set forth in the motto "Free soil, free press, and free people," he allied himself, and with it he has since continued to act. He has represented his county in the State Conventions of the party, and in 1884 was a delegate to the National Republican Convention which met in Chicago, resulting in the nomination of James G. Blaine, the choice of Mr. Wilson, as well as of the Republicans of Iowa.

Religiously, Mr. Wilson, like his father before him, has been an adherent of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has been active in all Church work. For went'-flve years he held the position of Superintendent in the Sabbath-school, and in that department of Church work was an unqualified success. Since the admission of lay delegates in the conference, he has represented the Iowa Conference as Delegate in General Conference in Cincinnati in 1880.

AVliile never neglecting his religious duties, Mr. AVilson has felt that good might result from the work in other directions, both for himself and others, and therefore, has allied himself with several of the benevolent and charitable organizations of the day. He was first made a Mason at Muscatine in 1853, and became a member of Iowa Lodge No 2, A. F. & A. M., of that city. He now holds membership with Washington Lodge No. 26. He is also a member of Cyrus Chapter No. 13, R. A. M., and of Bethlehem Comniandery No. 45, of Washington. He became a member of Hawkeye Lodge No. 1, A. C. U. W., the first lodge of that order organized in the State, and which, when trouble came, was loy'al to the Supreme Lodge. In the Iowa Legion of Honor, he is a member of Washington Lodge No. 9, and for two years was Grand President of the order in the State. He is also a member of No. 61, V. A. S.

As a citizen, William Wilson, Jr., has done much to advance the interests of his adopted city. He has ever been ready to give of his means in aid of any enterprise calculated to build it up. While never visionary, he is yet quick to perceive that which will be of interest to himself or to the community at large, and will do all in his power to make any enterprise in which he is enlisted, a success. As a friend and neighbor, he is esteemed by all, and is deserving of their good opinion and good-will.

As printed in Portrait and biographical album of Washington County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and (1887). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.