WILSON, H. J.

WILSON, BOVEE, BUTLER, RUSSELL

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 7/3/2003 at 19:11:01

Biography reproduced from page 397 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

H. J. Wilson, who since 1908 has been engaged in the automobile business in Algona, was born in Whitewater, Wisconsin, December 29, 1863, a son of J. J. and Clara M. (Bovee) Wilson. The father was born in Onondaga county, New York, May 5, 1828, and in 1843 removed to Walworth county, Wisconsin, where he resided until 1870, when he came to Algona. Here he passed away in 1895. He was engaged in the lumber business and also followed milling for a while and in addition dealt to some extent in live stock. At one time he was mayor of Algona and served two terms in the state legislature. He was greatly interested in educational work and took an active part in the building of Algona College. The mother, Clara M. (Bovee) Wilson, was born in Amsterdam, New York, and was married in Wisconsin. In her family were two children: Lenette, who is the wife of E. B. Butler, of Algona; and H. J., of this review.

The latter received his early education in the public schools of Algona and later attended the college which was formerly located here. Afterward he became a student in the college at Grinnell, Iowa. In 1889 he engaged in the lumber and milling business at Emmetsburg, Iowa, remaining in that work for fourteen years. Subsequently he located in Algona and became a traveling salesman, remaining in that work for a number of years. In 1908 he engaged in the automobile business here and now has the agency for five different makes of machines—the Chalmers, the Buick, the Overland, the E. M. and the Flanders. He also has in connection a repair shop and a garage, three cars being used for renting purposes. Besides his interests in Algona, Mr. Wilson also is owner of an excellent tract of eight hundred and fifty acres of land.

In 1888 Mr. Wilson was married to Miss Luella R. Russell, daughter of D. P. Russell, who was an early settler in Kossuth county. To this union have been born two children: Irene, who is a student in the State University at Iowa City; and Camilla, who is a student at Notre Dame College of Notre Dame, Indiana. Both of the daughters are graduates of the Algona high school.

In his political views Mr. Wilson was in early life a democrat, later a republican and now he is an independent voter. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, belonging to that order in Algona. Mr. Wilson’s life record has exemplified many sterling traits of character which have made him a highly honored citizen.