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LEWIS C. WILSON, a minister of the Gospel of the Christian Church, resides upon a farm in Clay Township, near the village of Brighton. He is a native of Indiana, born in Harrisburg, Fayette County, Oct. 20, 1837. His father, Edmund Wilson, was a native of Putnam County, N.Y., who removed to Fayette County, Ind., at an early day, and there married Emily Kelley, by whom he had five sons: Lewis C., the subject of this sketch; Charles S., who served nearly three years in the 123d Indiana Infantry, now resides in Wayne County, Ind.; Sanford is a farmer, residing in Henry County, Ind.; Emery is a hardware salesman, in Indianapolis, and George F. resides on the old homestead, in Fayette County.
Edmund Wilson was a farmer by occupation, a man of limited education, but of strong mind and good judgment. In early life he was a Whig, and a great admirer of Henry Clay. He was strongly opposed to slavery, and did not fear to express himself freely on that question. He is now living a retired life in Wayne County, Ind. Religiously, he is connected with the Christian Church, of which body his wife was also a member. She died some years ago in Fayette County.
The subject of this sketch was the eldest of the five sons, and spent his early life on the farm, and in attendance upon the common schools three months in the year, in addition to which instruction he attended a seminary at Dublin, Ind., one term, and also one at a seminary in Fayette County, Ind., of which B. R. Van Buskierk was Principal. In the winter of 1858-59 he was engaged in teaching. On the 29th of December, 1859, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah W. Treadway, a daughter of Judge Treadway, also of
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Fayette County, Ind. She was born in Bentonville, Ind. in 1837, and previous to her marriage had taught several terms of public school. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the parents of three children—Omer, Indianola and Herman.
In the spring of 1860 Lewis C. Wilson moved on a farm, where he remained one year. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Co. F, 3d Ind. Vol. Cav., and was mustered in at Indianapolis, from which place the regiment was sent to Washington, D.C. The regiment spent the first summer in lower Maryland, near the Potamac River, and in the spring of 1862 it moved across the river, and commenced an active summer campaign. On the 23d of July, 1862, Mr. Wilson was taken prisoner while about twenty miles south of Fredericksburg, Va., and was taken to Libby Prison, and afterward Belle Island. He, however, did not long remain a prisoner of war, and on being exchanged rejoined his regiment, which was then on an expedition against Lee in Maryland. He was in the battles of Poolsville, Boonsboro, Middletown, South Mountain and Antietam, which ended the campaign for that year. the regiment then returned to Virginia, crossing the river below Harper's Ferry, following the enemy along the Blue Ridge, and having skirmishes nearly every day. At Culpeper the regiment remained some time, and then was sent into Maryland, and while on the expedition, fought the battle of Beverely Ford, where it nearly captured Lee's headquarters, getting, however, some of his papers. It followed the enemy to Upperville, where another sever fight was had, the 3d Indiana Cavalry camping on the battle-field. Crossing the river at Edward's Ferry, they went to Gettysburg, and camped about a mile from the town, and on the morning of the 3d of July, the company was attacked by the enemy.
Some time previous to this Mr. Wilson had been promoted from to a First Lieutenant, and was in command of his company at this time. Following the enemy on its retreat into the rear of Gettysburg, they had several skirmishes, and captured several prisoners. They went as far as Culpeper, where later commenced the Wilderness campaign. The 3d Indiana Cavalry was the first to cross the Chickhominy, being sent forward to make a feint, that they might draw the attention of Gen. Lee, while Grant mad a forward move. After three weeks' constant marching and fighting in the Wilderness, the company went into camp and rested for three or four days, then, with three days' rations, the second division of cavalry, of which the 3d Indiana formed a part, started upon the famous Wilson raid, the object being to destroy the railroads over which Lee's army got their supplies. This raid was most successfully carried out, railroads, depots and water tanks being destroyed wherever they went. For ten days the men were almost continuously in the saddle, and lived off the country. While returning from this raid they met the whole force of Wade Hampton at Reems Station, on the Weldon Railroad. By this time the men were so used up they slept in their saddles, and the horses were so jaded they could hardly haul the guns. When they found Wade Hampton's full force was in front of them a council of wars was held, and it was concluded best to retreat. They entered Grant's lines at Ft. Powhatten, near City Point. This was the last service of the regiment, it being mustered out at Indianapolis, Ind., in September, 1864.
On returning home Mr. Wilson embarked in the dry-goods business, at Dublin, in which he continued about one year. While engaged in trade at Dublin he occasionally preached to the people of that place, his services being quite acceptable, and feeling both inclined and urged to by others, he has since been engaged in the ministry of the Word, and is a recognized evangelist of the Christian Church. In the fall of 1871 Mr. Wilson moved to Iowa City, Iowa, where he remained until the spring of 1872, and then came to Washington County, and settled in Brighton, serving three congregations, Brighton, Pleasant Hill and Columbus City.
In order that he might give his children the advantages of a collegiate education, Mr. Wilson returned to Indiana in 1882, and located at Irvington, Marion County, his children entering Butler University. Here he remained six years, and in the summer of 1887 returned to Washington County, and settled upon his farm near the village of Brighton, where he now resides. In his
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ministerial labors Mr. Wilson is quite popular, both inside and outside the Church. He is plain yet forcible speaker, and is well posted upon all theological questions. Both himself and family are held in the highest esteem in the neighborhood where they reside, and by all who know them.
JOSEPH BADGER, farmer and stock-raiser, section 18, Franklin Township, is the owner of 160 acres of fine farm land, on which are improvements of a first-class order. He is numbered among the earliest settlers in Washington County, coming her in 1845, one year before the admission of Iowa as a State. He is a native of Ashtabula County, Ohio, born Nov. 23, 1817, and is the son of Lucius and Huldah P. (Prindle) Badger, the former a native of Massachusetts, and of Scotch-Irish descent, the latter a native of Vermont and English descent. His parents came to this county in 1862, remained a few years, and then went to Appanoose County, Iowa, where they have since died.
The subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm, and made farming his business through life. He was married in Trumbull County, Ohio, Sept. 19,1 839, to Marilla Roberts, daughter of Marquis and Louron (Beech) Roberts, who were natives of Connecticut, and of Scotch descent. She was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, Jan. 11, 1821. Seven children have been born unto them, six of whom are living: E. J. married Corintha A. Pelton, by whom he had seven children—Stella, Anna, Edith, Edwin and Earnest; John and an infant are deceased. E. P. married Elizabeth Durman, by whom he had seven children, four of whom are living—Minnie, Ozro, Clarence and Alva; the deceased are Marquis, Lizzie and an infant; E. F. married Della Elliott; they are the parents of five children—Burdette, Beulah, Bernice, Blanche and Byron. Cornelia L. is the wife of E. C. McGehee; they have two children—Mary and Edwin; C. N. is at home; L. P., deceased; married Emma Etters; they had one child—Elmer.
Mr. and Mrs. Badger are members of the Congregational Church. After building his first log cabin in this county, which was sixteen feet square, Mr. Badger had but forty-five cents left with which to commence life in a new country. But he did not despair of success. Having willing hands and with a loving wife who was ever ready to assist, he determined to push forward, believing that in time success would crown his efforts. While not possessed of an abundance of wealth, he yet has enough to keep him and his loving companion during the remainder of their journey of life. Few of the pioneers of Washington County are better known, and none more universally respected than Joseph Badger and wife. Politically, he is a Republican.
JOHN C. SWIFT resides on section 18, Oregon Township, and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He is the son of Thomas and Mary (Connell) Swift, both of whom are natives of Ireland, and who there died some years ago. The subject of this biographical notice was reared on a farm, and has followed the occupation of a farmer successfully thus far through life. The place which gave him birth and which has given to some of the greatest statesmen, warrior and theologian that have ever lived and which for so many years has been oppressed by foreign power, he realized was no place for one who desired to occupy an honorable place in life, therefore, in 1850, he crossed the sea to the land which has been the home of the oppressed for so many years, the United States of America.
Our subject settled first at New York, where he remained six years, and then traveled through Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas, and during the dark days of the Civil War was a citizen of the latter State. In 1865, he came to Washington County, Iowa, and purchased ninety-six acres of land,where he has since continued to reside, and to which he has added by subsequent purchase enough to make a farm of 200 acres, which he has under a high state of cultivation, and on which is a fine residence, a good barn, and other necessary out-buildings, all of which are the proceeds of his own industry.
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Mr. Swift was married in Galesburg, Ill., in 1863 to Mary Rimmer, a native of England, born in 1844, but who came to America when five years of age. They became the parents of thirteen children, ten of whom are now living—George, Mary E., Margaret, Catherine, John F., Tresa, Agnes, Julia, Gertrude and Martha. The deceased were John C., Tresa and an infant.
Mr. Swift is truly one of the representative farmers of Washington County, and as such well deserves a place in the BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. Commencing life without a dollar, by the labor of his own hands, he accumulated considerable property, but unfortunately twice lost his entire earnings. With an indomitable will, he continued to press on, and with that experience born of reverses, he has pressed on until, as already stated, he is the possessor of a farm of 200 acres, and which is one of the best improved in Oregon Township. He is a man who stands well in the community in which he resides, and is honorable and straightforward in all his dealings. He and his family are all members of the Catholic Church. Politically, he is a Democrat.
 CYRUS BUSH, farmer and stock-raiser, section 36, township 77, range 8, lying within the civil township of English River, came to Iowa in the fall of 1853, and to his present farm April 7, 1854. He was born in concord Township, Fayette Co., Ohio, Feb. 18, 1818, and is the son of Leonard and Catherine (Bowers) Bush. The pioneer schools of his native State gave him a knowledge of the common branches of an English education, and the work of the farm on which he was reared developed physical endurance which has stood him well in life. Growing to man's estate, on the 20th of September, 1842, he wedded Miss Mary Miller, also a native of Fayette County, Ohio, and daughter of George and Susan (Hagler) Miller. Five children were born of this marriage: Noah, born in Fayette County, Ohio, April 16, 1844, is now engaged in farming in Seventy-six Township; he married Miss Mary Scribner, by whom he has eight children, four boys and four girls; Delitha, born in Fayette County, Ohio, Oct. 16, 1847, is now the wife of Frank Curry, and is living near What Cheer, Iowa; they have eight children, three boys and five girls, all living but one son; three children of Mr. and Mrs. Bush died in infancy.
Mrs. Bush died May 29, 1850, and Sept. 22, 1850, Mr. Bush wedded Miss Mary B. Walters, a native of Clinton County, Ohio, born Nov. 2, 1824, and the daughter of John and Rachel (Babb) Walters. Nine children were born of the second marriage, six boys and three girls, all of whom are living at this date: Isaiah, born in Fayette County, Ohio, Dec. 5, 1851, grew to manhood in Washington County, Iowa, married Ida Mauck, and is now engaged in farming in Jackson Township; they have one child, a son. Emma, born Jan. 24, 1853, in Fayette County, Ohio, grew to womanhood in Washington County, Ohio, grew to womanhood in Washington County, Iowa, and is now the wife of Prof. S. F. Wright, of Keota, Iowa; they have two sons. Otha E., born Nov. 8, 1854, in Washington County, Iowa, married Ida Boyer, by whom he has two daughters; they live near Keota, in Keokuk County; Dennis S., born Sept. 1, 1856, resides at home; Ella, born April 4, 1858, is the wife of Sampson Babb, and now resides in Cedar Township, Washington County; they have six children living, three boys and three girls. James H., born Dec. 30, 1860, married Mary E. Shields, by whom he has one child, a daughter; they reside in Denver, Col. Jacob, born Nov. 14, 1863, married Hettie Bowerseock, and is now living in English River Township; Azel W., born May 5, 1865, is now living in Corrrectionville, Iowa; Mary Eva, born June 11, 1868, is now the wife of Amos Durst, and is living in Jackson Township.
On the 6th day of September, 1853, Mr. Bush, with his family left his old home Ohio, and came by team directly to Iowa, and wintered in Marion County. In the spring of 1854, he came to English River Township, and settled upon his present farm, which consists of 471 acres of finely improved land; he has a farm of 240 acres before in the same town, and sold it. In 1857, in connection with farming, he engaged in the mercantile trade at Richmond, continuing in the same until 1861. With the exception of these four years, he has all his life been engaged in farming, and is regarded as one of the best farmers in Washington County.
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In early life, Mr. Bush was a Whig, but on the formation of the Republican party he adopted its principles, and has ever since voted with that party. He has been a member of the Washington County Board of Supervisors two terms, and was a member of the board during the contracting and building of the new court-house. No taint of corruption clings to his skirt. In addition to this office, he has held the minor offices in his township, and always with satisfaction to his constituents.
In his religious views, Mr. Bush is liberal, holding membership with no religious society. Mrs. Bush is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. A true man, ne who ever endeavors to live up to the Golden Rule, he is well and favorably known throughout the county, and no man is more universally respected. For more than a third of a century he has been a citizen of Washington County. On his coming, almost the entire State was an unclaimed wilderness; the shriek of the iron horse had never been heard. To-day every county in the fair State is crossed by iron bands, and to every county seat huge locomotives drawing tons of living freight, daily go and come. In the work of transformation, Cyrus Bush has borne his part. All honor to such men.
A fine portrait of Mr. Bush accompanies this sketch, which cannot help being well pleasing to every reader of the ALBUM.
REV. JOHN LACKEY, a minister of the United Presbyterian Church, Washington, was born in Crawford County, Pa., Oct. 18, 1825, and is the son of Robert and Mary (Kelly) Lackey. Robert Lackey was also a native of that county, and served as a soldier in the War of 1812, being among those known as minute men. With others he was detailed to help prepare the fleet under Commodore Perry. He was married to Miss Mary Kelly, born in Carlisle, Pa. They settled in Crawford County, Pa., near Meadsville, and reared a family of eight children: Margaret married Robert McConaughey, of that county and died there; Elizabeth, now deceased, married George Foster, also of Crawford County, Pa.; Jennette married Hugh Blair, and died in her native county, near Lyonsville; Mary married John McKay, of the same county; Rev. John is the subject of this sketch; Robert C. grew to manhood and was among the first to start to California after the discovery of gold there, and is supposed to have been killed on the way; David M. settled in Kansas at an early day, locating a claim with a land warrant; when trouble occurred growing out of the attempt to enforce slavery on the Territory, he was among the number who opposed with force the border ruffians of Missouri in their wicked attempt to thwart the will of the people. When the war of the Rebellion broke out he enlisted in a Kansas regiment, and while upon the Blunt campaign contracted a disease from which he died a few days after being sent home; William S. enlisted in the 101st Pennsylvania Infantry, was with McClellan before Richmond, being afterward transferred to a New York battery, was sent to North Carolina under Burnside, and while engaged at Roanoke Island, was taken prisoner and sent to Andersonville, where he was starved so he could scarcely walk, and then sent to Florence, S.C., where he died. Mr. and Mrs. Lackey were members of the old Seceder's Church, the former dying in that faith. The latter transferred her membership to the United Presbyterians, and died a member of that body. They were honest and upright people, and deservedly were held in high esteem by all who knew them.
The subject of this sketch was reared upon his father's farm, where he remained till seventeen years of age, assisting in the farm work, and as the opportunity was afforded, attending the common subscription schools of the neighborhood. By his father's advice he was then apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade, serving four years, receiving for his services during the time his board and clothes with three months' schooling, and at the end of the apprenticeship a suit of clothes and a set of bench planes. The year following he worked as a journeyman carpenter, and then commenced contracting and working for himself.
Realizing it was not good for man to be alone, on the 16th of October, 1849, Rev. John Lackey
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was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca L. Rogers, a native of Venango County, Pa., born Sept. 27, 1825. There were born to them seven children, five daughters and two sons: Mary E. is the wife of Rev. William M. Howie, pastor of the United Presbyterian congregation of Walton, Delaware Co., N.Y.; he is a graduate of Monmouth College, and of the Theological Seminary at Xenia, Ohio; Margaret E. is a graduate of the High School at Monmouth, Ill., and the Teacher's Training School of Davenport, Iowa, and is now teaching in the public schools of Atlantic, Iowa; Ralph E. was educated at Washington Academy and Monmouth College, Ill., and graduated from the Theological Seminary at Xenia, Ohio; he is now the pastor of the United Presbyterian Congregation at Glade Run, Butler Co., Pa.; Clara G., a classic graduate of Washington Academy, and teacher in the public schools, married Rev. David McCaw, pastor of the United Presbyterian Congregation at Kittanning, Pa.; Zilpha A. graduated in the Washington Academy, classic course, and is now engaged in teaching at Atlantic, Iowa; John M. graduated in the classic course at Washington Academy, and in the Iowa State University Short-hand School. He is a short-hand reporter, and is now employed in the Treasury Department at Washington, D.C.; Aug. 24, 1886, he was united in marriage with Miss Bell Miller, of Vinton, Iowa. Henrietta R. is a graduate of Washington High School and teacher in the public schools; she was untied in marriage with Archibald H. Waterhouse, Aug. 30, 1887. He is an educated man and an attorney-at-law.
The desire for an education was always uppermost in the mind of Mr. Lackey, even in his youth, and he determined, if it were ever possible, he would take a collegiate course, but it was not till after his marriage that the opportunity presented itself. Mrs. Lackey, like a true wife, determined to do her part in the endeavor. While he worked at the bench she save in the house, thus securing a little means ahead, with which he entered Westminster College at Wilmington, Lawrence Co., Pa., and pursued his studies therein until the senior year, when by the advice of the Presbytery, he entered the Theological Seminary, at Xenia, Ohio, in september, 1862. About the time of the surrender of Vicksburg he was appointed by the Board of United Presbyterian Church as a missionary among the freedmen, who were gathered in that vicinity under Col. Samuel Thomas, under the auspices of the Freedmen's Bureau. In this work he engaged until after the close of the war, serving about three years and doing much for that class so suddenly taken out of slavery. On the 4th of July, 1864, standing on the south porch of Jeff Davis' mansion, on Dvis Bend, Miss., as the loyal soldiers of the 64th Colored Regiment raised a fine hickory liberty pole, and run up the stars and stripes, at the request of the commanding officer, the office of Chaplain was performed by the subject of this sketch, and standing with the representatives of the loyal army, composed of female helpers, missionaries, officers and soldiers, God's blessings was invoked by him on the cause of freedom and the defenders of the Nation. No rebel hands ever were permitted to lower the flag from that pole. With sword in one hand and the Bible in the other, he governed the colony by the appointment of the Government, and by the commission of the head of the Church, and appointment of the United Presbyterian Board of Missions, read, taught and preached the everlasting Gospel. Coming home he accepted a call from the United Presbyterian Congregation of Vernon, Wis., where he remained three years. On the 1st of October, 1870, he took charge of the United Presbyterian Congregation of Pleasant Valley, Washington County, and the Westminster and West Chester Congregation of the United Presbyterian Church, and at a later date, laboring for the first-named four years, and with the latter till 1882, since which time he has been engaged in the missionary work under the auspices of the Board of Missions of the United Presbyterian Church. He has made his home in the city of Washington since 1874.
Mrs. Lackey died April 6, 1887, in the sixty-second year of her age, and was buried in the cemetery at Washington. Beside her resting-place in fine granite stands the family monument. She was a most earnest Christian woman, one of whom it could be written "She hath done what she could." Her work was truly commendable. Encouraging and assisting her husband to obtain an education
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that might fit him for his chosen calling, she met the responsibility and presided over the home, filling faithfully to the end of her life the place of a true wife and kind mother. The family of seven children, who under her guidance, have grown to be men and woman, each occupying responsible positions and doing a good work, remember mother with kindest feelings and bless her name.
Rev. John Lackey is sixty-two years of age, and is actively engaged in the work of the ministry. He has endeavored to do well and faithfully the work as laid to his hand, and has had the satisfaction of seeing many profess their faith in Christ under his ministry. Of the seven children born in his own house all have professed their faith in Christ, and made active members of the Church. With a well-grounded hope he expect to "enter into the rest prepared for the people of God" when the King shall say, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."
WILLIAM WILSON, JR., is the pioneer hardware merchant of Washington having been engaged in that business since 1856. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Uniontown, Fayette County, Aug. 11, 1832, and is the son of William Wilson, Sr., and Minerva J. (Hellen) Wilson. William Wilson, Sr., was born in York, Pa., Oct. 30, 1803, and after learning the hatter's trade, in May, 1826, he went to Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pa., where he was employed as a journeyman hatter By Benjamin Hellen, whose daughter, Minerva J. Hellen, he married in 1829. She died Feb. 17, 1839, leaving four children: William, Jr., and Charles H., of Washington, Iowa; Jane B., wife of William Whittaker, of Alliance, Ohio; and Juliet H., of Uniontown.
On Jan. 6, 1840, Mr. Wilson, Sr., married Mrs. Louisa Mason, whose maiden name was Ewing. By this union there are three living children: Rev. Henry, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, connected with an Illinois conference; James E., in railroad business at Knoxville, Iowa, and Annie E., wife of A. C. Knox, cashier of Fifth National Bank, Pittsburgh, Pa. Mr. Wilson abandoned the hatting business in 1855, and soon after took charge of the banking business of John T. Hogg, of Uniontown. 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 bank 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 unanimous 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 Methodist Episcopal Church in 1828, and was an active and consistent Christian till his death, which occurred Marcy 26, 1855. For more than half a century he discharged faithfully the duties of the various lay offices 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., was reared in his native town and educated in the common schools. In 1853, on reaching his majority, he left his native State and came to Iowa, first locating at Muscatine, where he was employed by H. 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 has 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.
Mr. Wilson has been married three times. His first wife was Rebecca Hawkins, whom he married
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in Uniontown, Pa., in 1855. Their married life was of short duration, Mrs. Wilson dying in 1856. His second wife was Margaret Melville, of Pittsburgh, Pa., by whom he had three children, two of whom are yet living—James M., of this city, and Maggie, the wife of Milton Dicken, of Barber County, Kan. Margaret Wilson died in 1864. His present wife is Juliet E. Barkley, a native of Uniontown, Pa. They have five living children—R. Barkley, Owen G., Howard S., Walter F. and Mary L.
Mr. Wilson attained his majority at the time when the slavery question was the all important 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 fears of both those in favor of and those opposed to slavery, was, in 1854, repealed by the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act; the Free-soil people 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 twenty-five 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.
While never neglecting his religious duties, Mr. Wilson 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 Commandery No. 45, of Washington. He became a member of Hawkeye Lodge No. 1, A.O.U.W., the first lodge of that order organized in the State, and which, when trouble came, was loyal 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.
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