FRANK B. WILSON

WILSON, HARNEY, HULBERT

Posted By: Norma Nielson (email)
Date: 5/15/2004 at 17:47:42

"Frank B. Wilson, the present postmaster of Greenfield, and also a member of the local bar, is widely and favorably known in Adair county. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, March 8,1862, a son of James S. Wilson, who was born in Londonderry, Ireland, in 1823, and who after his emigration to the United States thoroughly identified his interests with those of his adopted country. In 1862 he went to the defense of the Union, enlisting in September of that year with the rank of first lieutenant in the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Infantry Regiment of the New York State Volunteers. At the expiration of his term of enlistment he re-enlisted with the same rank and served until the close of the war. His son still has his discharge papers, which were dated June 19, 1865, and were signed at Richmond, Virginia. He was by occupation a blacksmith and was an excellent workman. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Harney, was born at Roxbury, in the vicinity of Boston. To their union were born seven children, namely, Elizabeth, Thomas, Emma, Margaret, Stella, Joseph and Frank B., who is the only one living.
Frank B. Wilson attended the public schools of New York city until 1876 and then, at the age of fourteen years, went to sea, remaining in the merchant service for three years. At the end of that time he located in Orange county, New York, and for four years was employed at farm work. In 1886 he came to Adair county, Iowa, and for eight years taught school in this and Guthrie counties. In the meantime he began his legal study, reading law with C. S. Fogg at Stuart and afterward with J. G. Culver of Greenfield. He was admitted to the bar in June, 1894, an dopened an office for the practice of his profession in Greenfield, where he has since remained. He gave his entire time to his work as an attorney until January 30, 1915, when he was appointed postmaster of the city, in which capacity he is now serving.

Mr. Wilson was married on the 22d of May, 1900, at Alvin, Texas, to Miss Cebe M. Hulbert, who was born in Adair county and is a daughter of J. S. Hulbert. Her mother is deceased but her father survives and makes his home at Nampa, Idaho. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born five children: Selden H., Dorothy B. and Mary V., all in school; Harriet V.; and Frances B., deceased.

Mr. Wilson is a democrat and has always been loyal in his support of his candidates and measures of that party, believing firmly in the wisdom of its principles. His fraternal associations are with the Elks and Knights of Pythias. Although he has been the incumbent in the office of postmaster for only a few months he has already demonstrated his ability to discharge the duties devolving upon him with accuracy and dispatch and his uniform courtesy adds to his popularity as an official."

Source: The "History of Adair County Iowa and its People," Volume II. (Chicago, The Pioneer Publishing Company) 1915.