George Edwin Wilson -1847-1926

WILSON, ROBERTS, FITZMAURICE

Posted By: Michael J. Kearney (email)
Date: 8/2/2002 at 11:39:56

Wolfe's 1911 History of Clinton County p. 886 Among the honored and influential citizens of Clinton, Iowa, is George E. Wilson, who has shown what an earnest, energetic and hardworking man can accomplish, although forced to hew his own fortune from obstacles that beset his way. He started life without financial aid from anybody; has been industrious, and has adhered to those principles and ideals that always insure success, so that his twilight years are being passed in the midst of plenty and serenity. Mr. Wilson is an American by adoption only, being by birth one of our esteemed English cousins. He was born in England, March 18, 1847, the son of George and Eliza (Roberts) Wilson. His mother died in England, after which his father brought the family to the United States in the year 1856, settling near Rockford, Illinois, where he became well established and prominent. He was a man of sterling characteristics and was highly respected. He met death in a railroad accident near Rockford in 1892. George E. Wilson, the subject of this review, was reared on a farm, where he remained until about seventeen years of age. In his youth he also worked in a reaper factory and a flour mill, and later learned the foundry and machine business. He spent the period after the war in Louisiana and Alabama, and shortly thereafter went to Beloit, Wisconsin, where he was with the Merrill & Houston Manufacturing Company for two years. Later he located in Sterling, Illinois, where he was engaged in the foundry and machine business for several years. In 1892 he purchased the Clinton Bridge & Iron Works, at Clinton, Iowa. This company is one of the leading concerns of the state and is too well known to require lengthy description here. Under Mr. Wilson's able and judicious management it has maintained an envied position in the industrial world. Its business is constantly increasing. Mr. Wilson came to America at the age of nine. He was the only son of a family of four children. Of an ambitious and studious nature, he has become, by home study and actual contact with the world, a highly educated man in many branches. Mr. Wilson is an interesting conversationalist on current topics, possessing a broad and general knowledge. Mr. Wilson was married, June 4, 1871, to Hannah Marie Fitzmaurice, daughter of John and Abbie Louise Fitzmaurice. Mrs. Wilson's parents came fromt he north of Ireland and settled near Belvidere, Illinois, where she was born. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson has been blessed by the birth of five children, named as follows: Louise, who is at home; George E., Jr., Frank E., J. Fred and Orrin A. The latter is Pacific coast agent of the Clinton Bridge & Iron Works at San Francisco. The other three sons are connected with the Clinton office. The four sons and father constitute the board of directors of the company. Mr. Wilson manifested his loyalty to his adopted country during the great crisis in the sixties by foresaking the pleasures of home and offering his services during the Civil war by enlisting in the Fifty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company E., about six months before Lee's surrender, but owing to the fact that the war was drawing to a close he was not permitted to see active service. Twice before this enlistment he had run away from home to become a soldier, but his father interfered each time, owing to his youth. He won his father's consent in the end. Mr. Wilson is a member of all the different Masonic bodies of the York and Scottish rites. He has always taken an active interest in the progress of Clinton and vicinity and has ever stood ready to do his full share in the work of upbuilding this locality in any way. He has always manifested an abiding interest in county, state and national affairs, and is regarded by all who know him as a high-minded, progressive man. While living at Sterling he served very acceptably as alderman, during which time many of the public improvements of the city were inagurated. In addition to his private interests, he is president of the Merchants National Bank of Clinton, which institution is regarded as one of the most popular, safe and conservative banks in eastern Iowa. Mr. Wilson's home is at No. 306 Sixth avenue.