Wilson, John L.

WILSON, RUGH, ROBB, COOK, MILLER

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Date: 4/15/2003 at 18:41:32

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

HON. JOHN L. WILSON.

Hon. John L. Wilson is one of the leaders of the Democratic party in Clinton county, his large acquaintance and unbounded popularity giving him an influential following, while his shrewd judgment of men and affairs make his counsel of value in all important movements. He is also one of the most successful farmers and stock-raisers of Elk River township, his home being on section thirty-six. He is a son of Matthew and Sybella (Rugh) Wilson, both natives of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where they were married June 21, 1849. In early life the father learned the carpenter’s trade, and was employed as ship carpenter on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers for two years. He spent about fourteen years on the water, however, and rose to the rank of first mate, in which capacity he was serving when he left the river. Returning to his native county, he made his home there for a few years after his marriage, during which time two children were born to him, and the older one died. In 1855 he came to Clinton county, Iowa, and rented a farm adjoining that now owned and occupied by our subject. Shortly afterward he purchased eighty acres of wild land, and in 1865 erected a stone house upon that place, making it his permanent home. As one of the early settlers of the county, he was actively identified with its growth and development, and was always regarded as one of the most useful and valued citizens of his community. The services he rendered his fellow townsmen were widespread and cheerfully given, and he was held in the highest regard by all who knew him. In his political views he was a stalwart Democrat, and never wavered in his allegiance to his party. He died August 27, 1884, and his wife passed away May 17, 1882. She was a faithful and consistent member of the Lutheran church; was gentle and motherly, and won many friends by the sweetness and beauty of her life.

Of the four children born to them, the oldest and youngest both died when quite young. Of those living Anna M. is the older, and to her the father left the five hundred and twenty acres of land he owned in Story county, Iowa. She is the wife of James Robb, a successful farmer and stock-raiser of that county, who is the owner of nine hundred acres of valuable farming land there, and is now practically living retired in Ames. They have three children, Lula, Roy and Glenn.

John L. Wilson, of this review, completes the family. He began his education in the district school of Elk River township, and later attended the Clinton Commercial Business College, where he was graduated with high honors in penmanship and bookkeeping February 18, 1876, receiving his diploma and the commendation of all concerned in his success. To him his father left all his property in Clinton county, and he now has a fine farm of three hundred and sixty acres in Elk River township, under a high state of cultivation and well improved. Besides this property he owns ninety acres of timber land, and is to-day one of the most prosperous and substantial men of his community. He devotes considerable attention to stock-raising, and in all his undertakings is meeting with marked success.

On the 15th of February, 1880, Mr. Wilson married Miss Susie E. Cook, who was born in Hampshire township, this county, September 25, 1860, and was educated in the district schools. Her parents, John B. and Rebecca (Miller) Cook, were born, reared and married in Ohio, and in 1848 came to Iowa, locating in Hampshire township, Clinton county. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson became the parents of five children, namely: Anna E., who died at the age of ten years; Charles M., who is taking a commercial course at the Clinton Business College; Ollie, who died at the age of six years; John L., Jr., and Clara Vernon, both at home.

Socially Mr. Wilson is a thirty-second-degree Mason, and a member of the Eastern Star Chapter, and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He is preeminently public-spirited and progressive, and does all in his power to advance the interests of his township and county. He ha snot only been called upon to fill various local offices, but has been elected to the twenty-fifth, twenty-sixth, twenty-seventh and twenty-eighth general assemblies, being the only Democrat on his ticket elected in 1894, while in the twenty-eighth general assembly he was one of the four Democrats appointed chairman of a committee, securing the chairmanship of the committee on public lands. He was also a member of the committee on appropriations; congressional and judicial districts; agriculture, military, federal relations; and banks. In 1898 he served on the railroad and commerce, claims, compensation of public offices, animal industry, industrial schools, representative districts, ways and means committees. He ably represented his district, and was one of the most active and influential members of the house.