Wilson, William M.

WILSON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/23/2021 at 14:20:13

Source: History of Warren County, Iowa, by Gerard Schultz and Don L. Berry, The Record and Tribune Co., Indianola, Iowa, 1953, p.355

WILLIAM MELVIN WILSON
William Melvin Wilson, lawyer, who lives at 609 West Clinton avenue, Indianola, was, born at Hartford Oct. 6, 1876. He is the son of John and Alice (Slack) Wilson. He received his education in Ackworth academy, Drake academy and the Drake law school. He has been practicing law in Indianola continuously since.
Mr. Wilson was married to Estella Presnall April 23, 1908, who died April 12, 1909. She was the mother of J. Berkley Wilson, who was born March 31, 1909. Aug. 20, 1912, Mr. Wilson married Edith Brown, daughter of Lorenzo D. and Mary E. Brown. She was born at Lafeyette, Ind., Feb. 5, 1879. Mr. Wilson has been city attorney, county attorney and member of the city council. He is Republican in politics, a Quaker and belongs to Rotary International.

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.632
WILLIAM MELVIN WILSON
William Melvin Wilson, who is now filling the position of county attorney at Warren County and is a well known member of the Indianola bar, was born near Hartford in Richland Township on the 6th of October 1876. His father, John Wilson, was a native of Ohio and represented one of the old families that was founded in America by a Scotch ancestor. He was a farmer by occupation and came to Iowa in 1854, settling first in Marion County. He made the journey with his parents and was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of agriculturist. On removing to Warren County he took up his abode at Hartford, where he worked for a time in a pottery but finally, when his savings justified his purchase of land, he became the owner of a farm not far from the village. At a later date he removed to Lincoln township, settling a half mile north of Summerset, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring in January 1902, when he was in his fifty-seventh year. His religious preference was for the Presbyterian Church and he usually attended its services. In politics he was independent, voting for men and measures rather than for party. In the community where he lived, he filled a number of local offices and was always loyal and progressive in its citizenship, standing high in the esteem of his neighbors and associates. In early manhood he wedded Miss Alice Ellen Slack, who was born in Hartford and still survives, making her home with a son in Palmyra Township at the age of fifty-six years. She is a member of the Baptist Church.
William M. Wilson was one of a family of thirteen children, of whom eleven are yet living, as follows: John R., who follows farming in Palmyra; William M., of this review; Margaret E., the wife of Grigsby Clark, an agriculturist of Richland; Leatha Ellen, the wife of Wilbur Cox, who also follows general farming in Richland; Charles H. an agriculturist of Palmyra Township; Flora, Lula, the wife of Clyde James, a resident of Norwalk, Samuel M., who is a telegraph operator at Knoxville; Flossie, and Hallie and Hazel, twins.
In taking up the personal history of William M. Wilson, we present to our readers the life of one who is widely and favorably known in this, his native county. He was reared to farm labor and as a boy trudged away each morning to the district school. Later, however, he enjoyed the advantage of a course in Ackworth Academy and also attended the commercial school in Des Moines. For two years he engaged in teaching in the fall and winter months and later entered Drake University at Des Moines, where he completed his academical course and was then graduated from the law department of that college in 1903. He began the practice of his profession in Des Moines but in the fall of the same year came to Indianola and opened an office in partnership with S.H. Tidball, with whom he is now engaged in the practice of law. Although one of the younger members of the bar, he is meeting with good success and in 1906 was elected to the office of county attorney, which position he is now filling. He was a candidate of the Republican Party, which he has supported since attaining his majority.
Mr. Wilson was married on the 23rd of April 1908, to Miss Lena Estella Pressnall, a native of Cambridge, Iowa. Fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. The fact that he has many friends in this, his native county, is an indication that his life record has ever been an honorable one; else he would not receive the respect and esteem which are uniformly accorded him by those who have been familiar with his record from his early boyhood.