WILLSON, F. C.

WILLSON, KENNY, CHURCH, PECK, RILEY, WARD, STAPLETON

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 7/3/2003 at 19:51:54

Biography reproduced from page 181 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

F. C. Willson, well known in commercial circles of Algona as a dealer in seeds, while at other times his activity has broadened in its scope to include the coal and grain trades, is a native of Massachusetts, his birth having occurred in West Stockbridge, Berkshire county, March 23, 1828. His parents were Rufus and Mary Ann (Kenny) Willson. The father, a native of England, settled in Vermont on crossing the Atlantic, and from the Green Mountain state removed to Massachusetts. He was a farmer by occupation but also gave part of his time and attention to industrial pursuits, operating a sawmill and shingle mill at West Stockbridge up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was seventy-eight years of age.

In his youthful days F. C. Willson became a pupil in the district schools of Massachusetts, alternating study with periods of work upon the farm and in the different mills owned and operated by his father. Thus time passed with him until he became twenty-one years of age, when he and his brother took charge of the old home farm, operating it from 1849 until 1851. In the latter year F. C. Willson removed westward to Wisconsin, where he carried on farming for fifteen years, or until 1866, when he came to Algona. He then purchased a place in Cresco township, Kossuth county, and for five years devoted his time and energies to its further development and improvement, but in 1871 sold out and took up his abode in this city. He then turned his attention to the agricultural implement business in connection with D. S. Ford, with whom he remained until 1879, when he embarked in the seed business on his own account and under his own name. He also conducted a coal and grain trade, first at the Milwaukee Railroad and later at the Northwestern Railroad, but after a number of years he ceased to operate in coal and grain, confining his attention strictly to the seed business, with which he is yet connected. He has secured an extensive patronage which makes his business profitable and he yet remains an active factor in commercial circles although he is now in his eighty-fourth year. His life thus continues one of usefulness and it would be impossible to make him entirely put aside business cares while strength remains with him.

In 1849 Mr. Willson was united in marriage to Miss Julia A. Church, a daughter of Albert and Zirany Church, of Alford, Massachusetts, the father following the occupation of farming. Mrs. Willson passed away in 1902. In the family were four children and there are now nineteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Lester, the oldest son, is a cement worker living in Algona. He married Ella Peck and they had three sons, the oldest of whom is married and works for the Spurbeck Lambert Company. He has a daughter. Another son of Lester Willson is married, resides in Milwaukee and is in the railway mail service. Frank E., the second son of F. C. Willson, married Kate Riley and follows the carpenter’s trade in Algona. Unto him and his wife have been born six sons. Hattie Willson became the wife of Walter E. Ward, a painter and decorator living in Algona, and they have two sons and three daughters. The eldest daughter is married and has one daughter. Cora, the fourth member of the family, became the wife of Albert Stapleton, a farmer residing in Dickerson county, Iowa. They have two sons and three daughters and one of the daughters is married and has a daughter, so that the family is represented to the fourth generation. Mr. Willson has always been more or less active in public affairs and his influence and aid have been counted upon to further progress and improvement. While a resident of Wisconsin he was a school director for many years and for a long period was township clerk, while for four years he was chairman of the board of supervisors. Since coming to Kossuth county he has been trustee of the town of Algona for eighteen years, filling that office at a period before the townships were set off. He was also a member of the school board at an early day and he has ever been greatly interested in educational and political as well as material progress. He has also contributed to the moral development of the community as a member of the Congregational church and for thirty-five years he has been a member of Prudence Lodge, No. 205, F. & A. M. While now in his eighty-fourth year he never uses glasses and in spite of attacks of rheumatism, which slightly affect his hearing, he is a man of most genial, jovial disposition, often the life of the company in which he is found. He is still an extremely active man for one of his years. Old age need not necessarily suggest idleness or want of occupation; there is an old age which grows stronger and better intellectually and morally as the years go by and gives out of its rich store of wisdom and experience for the benefit of others. Such has been the record of F. C. Willson.