WILSON, JOHN J.

WILSON, LEE, BOVEE

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/16/2004 at 14:36:37

Biography reproduced from page 358 of the History of Kossuth and Humboldt Counties, Iowa published in 1884:

J. J. Wilson, one of Algona’s most influential citizens, filled the position of representative in the Lower House, and did it with credit to himself and honor to his constituency.

John J. Wilson was born in Onondago Co., N. Y., May 5, 1828. His father, Andrew Wilson, was a native of Pennsylvania, and for many years was a prominent salt manufacturer in Syracuse, N. W. His mother, Sophia (Lee) Wilson, was a native of Connecticut. They reared eight children, of whom John was the youngest. In 1831 Mr. Wilson went with his parents to Eric Co., Penn., where they resided until 1837, when they removed to La Porte, Ind. In 1843 Mr. Wilson removed to Walworth Co., Wis., where he was engaged in farming until 1859, when he engaged in the grain and stock business. In 1865 he went west, being engaged in freighting through the territories until the close of 1869. In the spring of 1870 he came to Algona, engaging in the lumber business. Since that time he has gradually increased his business, until now he carried on the largest business, carried on by any one man in Algona. He combines the coal, lumber, milling and elevator business. He has a grain and lumber house in Whittemore and is interested in the lumber business at Emmetsburg, Iowa. Mr. Wilson was married Jan. 16, 1856, to Clara M. Bovee, a native of New York. They have two children—Lenette E and Harry J. Mr. Wilson was mayor of Algona for three terms and was a member of that city’s first board of aldermen. He was a member of the Legislature from Kossuth county for the sessions of 1878-9 and 1882-3.

(Transcriber’s note: The position of representative in the Lower House set out herein refers to the 19th General Assembly of Iowa.)