Lewis Elmer WILSON

WILSON, ALLEN, DEVORE, RASMUSSEN, BECKHOLT, DAAKE, LONNING

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:42

23 February 1889 ---- 23 December 1979

Lewis Elmer Wilson was born Feb. 23, 1889 on a ranch in Polk County, Neb. At the age of 13 his family moved to New Virginia, Iowa. In 1902 the Wilson family moved to Eagle Grove where Lewis lived until May of 1979 at which time his health necessitated his moving to the Clarion Care Center, Clarion, where he lived until his passing on Dec. 23, 1979.

Lewis graduated from Eagle Grove High School with the class of 1908. While in school he was active in debate, track, baseball and football. After graduation he taught school at District No. 6 in Troy Township. In 1909 he was appointed assistant postmaster at Eagle Grove. In 1919 Wilson and Fred Foil of Eagle Grove purchased the Eagle Grove Furniture Store and Funeral Business which they operated until the depression of the early 1930's. Wilson then started in the exclusive funeral business which he operated until his retirement.

Lewis E. Wilson served as secretary and president of the Eagle Grove Commercial Club, six years on the Eagle Grove School Board at which time the Eagle Grove Junior College was established. He served since 1907 in the Methodist Church holding every office in the Church. At the time of his death he maintained the oldest continuous membership in the Methodist Church. He also was the second oldest member of the Masonic Lodge, serving over 60 years as a Mason. He had 50 year honors in the Chapter and the Council, and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Also the Order of Eastern Star. He held a life membership in the State Historical Society of Iowa.

He was elected a Stated Representative for Wright County and served in the General Assembly for two terms. He was a member of the Pioneer Lawmaker Society. He helped form Company G, 4th Infantry, Iowa National Guard in World War I and served as a 1st Lt.

Active as a spokesman for the Iowa Funeral Directors and served as the President of that organization for two years. Appointed by Governor Hammill as a member of the Examining Board for the Funeral Directors, serving three years in that capacity. He served 10 years as Director of Education for the State Board of Funeral Directors. He worked after retirement as a broker, for the Midwest Funeral Services for 16 years. He was author and publisher of the book "75 Years of the Funeral Profession," and held patent rights for equipment used in the funeral business.

He wrote the history of the town of Eagle Grove and was chosen honorary Grand Marshall of the Eagle Grove Scandinavian Day Celebration.

He was married to Ora Belle Allen on May 11, 1910. Their family consisted of two daughters and two sons: Mrs. Howard (Dorothy) Rasmussen of Hardy; Mrs. Ken (Helen) DeVore of Albuquerque, N.M.; Lysle Wilson of Backus, Minn.; and Warren E. Wilson of Boone. He had nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ora Belle; his parents, John T. and Emma Wilson; a brother, Phil; sisters, Lena Beckholt, and Cora Daake. One sister, Iva Lonning of Mesa, Ariz, remains.

EAGLE GROVE EAGLE --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
January 2, 1980

source --- Paul Wilde