George Edwin Wilson Family Outline

1. George Edwin1 Wilson , born in England; died 1892 in near Rockford, Winnebego, Illinois.  He married Eliza Roberts , died bef 1856 in England.  

      Children of George Edwin Wilson and Eliza Roberts were as follows:

+    2          i      George Edwin2 Wilson , born 18 Mar 1847 in England; died 15 Jun 1926; buried in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa.  He married Hannah Marie Fitzmaurice .  

Generation 2 

2. George Edwin2 Wilson  (George Edwin1), born 18 Mar 1847 in England; died 15 Jun 1926; buried in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa.  He married on 4 Jun 1871 Hannah Marie Fitzmaurice , born 25 Mar 1849; died 21 Feb 1924 in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa; buried 24 Feb 1924 in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa, daughter of John Fitzmaurice  and Abbie Louise (---) .  

Notes for George Edwin Wilson

      Wolfe's 1911 History of Clinton County p. 886 Among the honored and influential citizens of Clinton, Iowa, is George E. Wilson, who has shown what an earnest, energetic and hardworking man can accomplish, although forced to hew his own fortune from obstacles that beset his way.  He started life without financial aid from anybody; has been industrious, and has adhered to those principles and ideals that always insure success, so that his twilight years are being passed in the midst of plenty and serenity.  Mr. Wilson is an American by adoption only, being by birth one of our esteemed English cousins.  He was born in England, March 18, 1847, the son of George and Eliza (Roberts) Wilson.  His mother died in England, after which his father brought the family to the United States in the year 1856, settling near Rockford, Illinois, where he became well established and prominent.  He was a man of sterling characteristics and was highly respected.  He met death in a railroad accident near Rockford in 1892.  George E. Wilson, the subject of this review, was reared on a farm, where he remained until about seventeen years of age.  In his youth he also worked in a reaper factory and a flour mill, and later learned the foundry and machine business.  He spent the period after the war in Louisiana and Alabama, and shortly thereafter went to Beloit, Wisconsin, where he was with the Merrill & Houston Manufacturing Company for two years.  Later he located in Sterling, Illinois, where he was engaged in the foundry and machine business for several years.  In 1892 he purchased the Clinton Bridge & Iron Works, at Clinton, Iowa.  This company is one of the leading concerns of the state and is too well known to require lengthy description here.  Under Mr. Wilson's able and judicious management it has maintained an envied position in the industrial world.  Its business is constantly increasing.  Mr. Wilson came to America at the age of nine.  He was the only son of a family of four children.  Of an ambitious and studious nature, he has become, by home study and actual contact with the world, a highly educated man in many branches.  Mr. Wilson is an interesting conversationalist on current topics, possessing a broad and general knowledge.  Mr. Wilson was married, June 4, 1871, to Hannah Marie Fitzmaurice, daughter of John and Abbie Louise Fitzmaurice.  Mrs. Wilson's parents came fromt he north of Ireland and settled near Belvidere, Illinois, where she was born.  The union of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson has been blessed by the birth of five children, named as follows: Louise, who is at home; George E., Jr., Frank E., J. Fred and Orrin A.  The latter is Pacific coast agent of the Clinton Bridge & Iron Works at San Francisco.  The other three sons are connected with the Clinton office.  The four sons and father constitute the board of directors of the company.  Mr. Wilson manifested his loyalty to his adopted country during the great crisis in the sixties by foresaking the pleasures of home and offering his services during the Civil war by enlisting in the Fifty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company E., about six months before Lee's surrender, but owing to the fact that the war was drawing to a close he was not permitted to see active service.  Twice before this enlistment he had run away from home to become a soldier, but his father interfered each time, owing to his youth.  He won his father's consent in the end.  Mr. Wilson is a member of all the different Masonic bodies of the York and Scottish rites.  He has always taken an active interest in the progress of Clinton and vicinity and has ever stood ready to do his full share in the work of upbuilding this locality in any way.  He has always manifested an abiding interest in county, state and national affairs, and is regarded by all who know him as a high-minded, progressive man.  While living at Sterling he served very acceptably as alderman, during which time many of the public improvements of the city were inagurated.  In addition to his private interests, he is president of the Merchants National Bank of Clinton, which institution is regarded as one of the most popular, safe and conservative banks in eastern Iowa.  Mr. Wilson's home is at No. 306 Sixth avenue.     

      Obituary:  The Clinton Herald Saturday June 19, 1926 p. 6 Funeral services for the late George E. Wilson, who died in San Francisco will be held at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon at the late residence, with the Rev. J.M. Duer, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, officiating.  Interment will be in the family lot in Springdale cemetery.  The body of Mr. Wilson will arrive in Clinton Monday morning on the Overland Limited on the Northwestern railway and will be taken to the family home.  Born in England, March 18, 1847, Mr. Wilson come to America with his father in 1856, following the death of his mother.  The father settled on a farm near Rockford, Ill.  Mr. Wilson, the son, remained on the farm until he was 17 years of age, at which time he began the career that brought him, too, to prominence in the business world.  In his youth he had worked in a reaper factory and flour mill and later learned the foundry and machine business, which established the foundation upon which he subsequently built yhis principal business enterpirse, the Clinton Bridge & Iron Works.  He spent the period after the Civil war in Louisiana and Alabama and shortly thereafter went to Beloit, Wis., where for two years he was with the Merrill & Houston Manufacturing Co.  Later he located in Sterling, Ill., where he engaged in the foundry and machine business for several years, coming then to Clinton, in 1892 when he purchased the Clinton Bridge & Iron Works, which became one of the leading concerns of the state under his judicious management.  Mr. Wilson was married June 4, 1871, to Miss Hannah Marie Fitzmaurice, who preceded him in death.  Of his family, he leaves a daughter, Miss Louise Wilson, at home, and three sons, George E. Wilson, Jr., Frank E. Wilson and John Frederick Wilson, all of the sons associated with him in the management of the Clinton Bridge & Iron Works.  During the Civil War, Mr. Wilson demonstrated his patriotic spirit, evidenced also in later years, by enlisting in the Fifty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company E., about six months before General Lee's surrender.  Twice previously he had run away in an effort to enlist but in each instance his father interered.  Mr. Wilson was also prominently identified with the Merchants National bank, which he served for many years as president.  In civic life, he was always ready to do his part for the upbuilding of the community.  He was a member of the various Masonic bodies of the city.  At the time of the San Francisco earthquake and fire in 1906, Mr. Wilson chartered a private car and took the first relief train into San Francisco.  In 1914 he was appointed by the governor of the state of Iowa to act as commissioner to the Panama Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco during the year 1915. 

Notes for Hannah Marie Fitzmaurice

      Obituary:  The Advertiser Friday February 22, 1924 p. 6 Mrs. George E. Wilson, Sr., passed away Thursday evening, February 21, at 7:30 o'clock at the family residence, 306 Sixth avenue, after an illness of several months.  The immediate cause of her demise was cerebrial thrombosis.  There are left in her immediate family her husband, three sons, George E. Wilson Jr., John Frederick Wilson and Frank Eugene Wilson, one daughter, Miss Louise, and two grandsons, George Edwin 3rd., and Richard Orrin Wilson. One son Orrin Allen Wilson passed away in San Francisco, California, in 1916.  There are also a brother, M.F. Maurice of Texas, and a sister, Mrs. Eugene Riddell of California.  Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the family home.  Interment to be in the family lot at Springdale cemetery. 

      Children of George Edwin Wilson and Hannah Marie Fitzmaurice were as follows:

      3          i      H. Louise3 Wilson , born 19 Mar 1872 in Sterling, Whiteside, Illinois; died 8 Dec 1953 in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa; buried 11 Dec 1953 in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa.   Notes: Obituary: The Clinton Herald Wednesday December 9, 1953 p. 19 Miss H. Louise Wilson, 81, of 306 6th Ave. S., died in her home about 4 p.m. Tuesday.  The body reposes in te Bratgonier-Fay chapel where friends may call Thursday afternoon and evening.  Funeral services will be held there Friday at 2 p.m. with Dr. Bruce McCullough of the First Presbyterian church officiating.  Burial will be in Springdale cemetery.  Miss Wilson was born March 19, 1872, in Sterling, Ill., a daughter of George E. and Hannah F. Wilson.  She came to Clinton in 1892.  Several nieces and nephews survive.  She was preceded in death by her parents and four brothers, George E., John Frederick, Frank C. and Orrin A. Wilson.

+    4          ii      George Edwin3 Wilson , born 28 Sep 1873 in Sterling, Whiteside, Illinois; died 11 Jul 1947 in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa; buried 14 Jul 1947 in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa.  He married Alice Leonard .

+    5          iii      John Frederick3 Wilson , born 26 Jan 1877 in Sterling, Whiteside, Illinois; died 20 Mar 1947 in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa; buried in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa.  He married Ruby Darling .

      6          iv      Orrin Allen3 Wilson , born 27 Jan 1879; died 25 Aug 1916 in San Francisco, California; buried in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa.   Notes: Obituary:   The Clinton Herald Wednesday August 30, 1916 p. 8  Orrin Wilson to Sleep at His Old Home  Under the above caption the San Francisco Bulletinof August 26, comments upon the death of Orrin A. Wilson, whose death occurred last Friday.  George E. Wilson, his father, will arrive in the city tomorrow morning, via the Overland Limited, bringing the body of his son to the family home, 306 Sixth avenue.  Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock.  The Bulletin says:  Orrin A. Wilson, Pebble Beach Lodge polo player, who suffered a fracture of the skull at Del Monte Thursday when he was thrown from his horse and dragged a considerable distance, yielded to his injuries at Adler Sanitarium yesterday afternoon and died without having regained consciousness from the time of the accident.  Wilson was rushed to San Francisco on an early train yesterday morning by Drs. Emmett P. Rixford and Alanson Weeks, in order to undergo an operation as a last resort, neither surgeon expressing any hope that it would be of any avail.  Wilson was one of the popular members of the Bohemian Club.  He was a graduate of Stanford in the class of 1904 and a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.  He was a native of Clinton, Iowa.  The funeral services and interment will be at his old home.  The body will be sent Monday.  There will be no polo at Del Monte during the week end, the players having decided to come here and pay their last respects to their friend before the body is sent away.  Wilson was engaged to marry Mrs. Nella Titcomb McCormick Potter and she was at his bedside when the end came.  Following his death she collapsed and had to be removed to her hotel in charge of a physician.  But she declared she would be able to accompany the body east.

      7          v      Frank Eugene3 Wilson , born 6 Oct 1882 in Sterling, Whiteside, Illinois; died 8 Dec 1950 in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa; buried 11 Dec 1950 in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa.   Notes: Obituary: The Clinton Herald Saturday December 9, 1950 p. 15 Frank Eugene Wilson, 306 Sixth avenue, South, president of the Clinton Bridge corporation, died at 4:15 p.m. Friday in Jane Lamb hospital where he had been a patient for three weeks.  The body is in the Bragonier-Fay chapel where friends may call after 6 p.m. Sunday.  Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in the chapel with Dr. Bruce McCullough officiating.  Burial will be in the family lot in Springdale cemetery.  Mr. Wilson was born in Sterling, Ill., the son of George and Hannah Wilson.  He came to Clinton with his parents in 1892, and has been a resident of Clinton since that time.  He was graduated from Clinton high school, Phillips academy, Andover, Mass., and Yale University.  He was a member of the Yale club of New York city, the University club of Chicago, and the Clinton Country coub.  Surviving are his sister, Miss Louis Wilson, Clinton; four nephews, two nieces, and several grandnieces and grandnephews.  He was preceded in death by his parent, and three brothers, George E., John Frederick, and Orrin Allen Wilson. 

Generation 3 

4. George Edwin3 Wilson  (George Edwin2, George Edwin1), born 28 Sep 1873 in Sterling, Whiteside, Illinois; died 11 Jul 1947 in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa; buried 14 Jul 1947 in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa.  He married on 30 Jan 1893 Alice Leonard , born in Belvidere, Illinois; died 22 Dec 1946 in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa; buried 24 Dec 1946 in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa, daughter of James R. Leonard  and Helen (---) .  

Notes for George Edwin Wilson

      Obituary: The Clinton Herald Friday July 11, 1947 p. 10 George E. Wilson, 73, 830 Fifth avenue South, long one of the leading business men in Clinton, died in his home at 1:30 a.m. today, following a heart attack.  He was president of the Clinton Bridge and Iron Works, the General Engineering comapny, the George E. Wilson, Jr., company, a former director of the City National bank and interested in various other business enterprises.  His father, the late George E. Wilson purchased the Clinton Iron and Birdge Works in 1892.  Services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday in the home and burial will be in Springdale cemetery.  The officiating clergyman will be Dr. H.J. Rendall of Morrison, Ill.  Mr. Wilson was born Sept. 28. 1873, in Sterling, Ill, the son of George E. and Hannah F. Wilson.  Receiving his early education in Sterling he came in 1892 to Clinton, where he resided until the time of death.  He was married Jan. 30, 1893, to Miss Alice Leonard, who preceded him in death last December.  He was a 32nd degree Mason, affiliated with Western Star lodge 100, A.F. and A.M. DeMolay consistory, A.A.S.R. Masons, Kaaba temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, a member of the Clinton Country coub and the Elks club.  Surviving are two sons, George E. Wilson, Jr. and Richard O. Wilson; a brother, Frank E. Wilson; a sister, Louis Wilson, all of Clinton, and four grandchildren.  Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife, and two brothers, Orrin and Fred. 

Notes for Alice Leonard

      Obituary: The Clinton Herald Monday December 23, 1946 p. 14 Mrs. George E. Wilson, 830 Fifth avenue South, active in church and other circles, notably the board of lady managers of Jane Lamb hospital, died at 3:15 o'clock Sunday morning in Jane Lamb hosptial, following a cerebral hemorrhage suffered about 11 o'clock Saturday morning.  Funeral services will be held in the home at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, with Dr. Bruce McCullough, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, officiating.  Burial will be in Springdale cemetery.  Born in Belvidere, Ill., Alice Leonard, daughter of James R. and Helen Leonard, Mrs. Wilson had been a life-time resident of Clinton.  She came here in early infancy when her parents moved to Clinton to make their home.  Educated in the Clinton public schools and in Farimount seminary, Washington, D.C., an educational institution for women, she was married January 30, 1913, to George E. Wilson and in the ensuing years served actively in civic, church and charitable undertakings.  Her parents and a brother, Albert Leonard, preceded her in death.  Of her immediate relatives she leaves her husband, two sons, George E. Wilson Jr., and Richard O. Wilson, and four grandchildren.  Also surviving are an uncle and aunt in Pasadena, California., and a cousin in Tryon, N.D.  During all of the years of her Clinton residence, her home had been in Fifth avenue, South.  For about 25 years she had been a member of the Jane Lamb hospital borad of lady managers, serving a number of those years as president.  She was a charter member of the Mardi club and for many years had been a member of Division Two of the industrial of the First Presbyterian church, of which also she was a faithful member.  Her death came as a profound shock to the members of her family and myriads of friends.  She was starting downtown on a Christmas shopping mission about 11 o'clock Saturday morning and was driving with Mr. Wilson as a passenger in the car, when she suffered an attack, which she assumed to be a heart attack.  At her direction, Mr. Wilson turned off the ignition, stopping the car on the driveway near the read of the family home.  Mr. Wilson administered emergency aid and assisted by a member of the household carried her into the house where medical aid was summoned.  She was removed to Jane Lamb hospital and for a period appeared to be responding to treatment.  About 2:25 a.m. Sunday, however, a second stroke proved fatal, despite every effort to revive her. 

      Children of George Edwin Wilson and Alice Leonard were as follows:

+    8          i      George Edwin "Ted"4 Wilson , born 11 Aug 1915 in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa; died 6 Sep 1981 in Melbourne, Florida; buried 16 Sep 1981 in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa.  He married (1) Sally (---) ; (2) Sondra (---) .

+    9          ii      Richard O. "Dick"4 Wilson , born 9 Dec 1918 in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa; died 14 Jul 1984.  He married Virginia "Ginny" Dick .  

5. John Frederick3 Wilson  (George Edwin2, George Edwin1), born 26 Jan 1877 in Sterling, Whiteside, Illinois; died 20 Mar 1947 in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa; buried in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa.  He married on 18 Jan 1923 in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa Ruby Darling , born 6 Jun 1900 in Andover, Clinton, Iowa; died 7 Dec 1989 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; buried 12 Dec 1989 in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa, daughter of George Darling  and Louise (---) .  

Notes for John Frederick Wilson

      Obituary:  The Clinton Herald Friday March 21, 1947 p. 12 Service for J. Fred Wilson, 800 Fifth avenue South who died Thursday evening in Jane Lamb hospital will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the family home.  The Rev. Bruce McCallough of the Presbyterian church will officiate.  Interment will be in Springdale cemetery.  Mr. Wilson, member of a prominent Clinton family and a well known and highly respected Clinton businessman, had been connected with the Clinton Bridge Works and was a brother of George E. Wilson,Sr. president and treasurer of the company.  He was a son of the late George E. Wilson and Hannah Firzmaurice Wilson.  Death came as a profound shock to Mr. Wilson's family and a wide circle of friends.  Mr. Wilson had been ill with a cold which presumably aggravated a heart attack.  Death came at 8:45 p.m.  Survivors include his widow, the former Ruby Darling, whom he married Jan. 18, 1923; four children, J. Frederick, Jr., Mary, Jane and Orrin; another brother, Frank E. Wilson and a sister, Miss Louise Wilson, all of Clinton.  The deceased was born in Sterling, Ill., but moved to Clinton with his parents in hear early boyhood.  He had lived here ever since and for the past 24 years at the Fifth avenue address.  Two nephews, G.E. Wilson, Jr., and Richard O. Wilson, of Clinton also survive. 

Notes for Ruby Darling

      Obituary: The Clinton Herald Friday December 8, 1989 p. 10 Ruby d. Wilson, 89, formerly of Clinton, died Thursday, at Los Angeles.  Memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, at First Presbyterian Church Chapel, Clinton.  Private internment will be in Springdale Cemetery.  Clinton Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.  Mrs. Wilson was born June 6, 1900, in Andover, to George and Louise Darling.  She married J.F. Wilson in 1922, in Clinton.  He died in 1947.  She was a homemaker and a member of Agatha Circle.  Survivors include two sons, J.F. Wilson of Natick, Mass. and Orrin A. Wilson of Lincoln, Neb.; two daughters, Lou Wilson of Houston, Texas and Jane Morris of Sherman Oaks, Calif.; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a brother, Earl W. Darling of Clinton.     

      SS Death Index RUBY D WILSON 06 Jun 1900 07 Dec 1989 68502 (Lincoln, Lancaster, NE) (none specified) 478-40-9558 Iowa 

      Children of John Frederick Wilson and Ruby Darling were as follows:

      10         i      John Frederick4 Wilson .

      11         ii      Mary Lou4 Wilson .

      12         iii      Jane4 Wilson .  She married (---) Morris .

      13         iv      Orrin A.4 Wilson .  He married Jan Detlefsen .  

Generation 4 

8. George Edwin "Ted"4 Wilson  (George Edwin3, George Edwin2, George Edwin1), born 11 Aug 1915 in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa; died 6 Sep 1981 in Melbourne, Florida; buried 16 Sep 1981 in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa.  He married (1) Sally (---) ; (2) Sondra (---) .  

Notes for George Edwin "Ted" Wilson

      Obituary:  The Clinton Herald Tuesday September 8, 1981 p. 11 George E. "Ted" Wilson Jr., 66, of Vero Beach, Fla., former Clinton industrialist, died Sunday in Melbourne Kidney Center, Melbourne, Fla.  A memorial service will be Friday in Vero Beach with a second service at 2 p.m. Sept. 16 in First Presbyterian Church, Clinton.  Internment of the ashes will be in Springdale Cemetery.  Snell-Zornig Funeral Home, Clinton, was in charge of local arrangements.  Mr. Wilson was born Aug. 11, 1915, in Clinton.  He served as president of the Allied Structural Steel Company, which had plants in Clinton and three other cities, until its sale in the mid 1960's.  The sale ended a 72-year span during which the Wilson family had been connected with the steel company.  It was first known as the Clinton Bridge and Iron Works and was purchased by the first George E. Wilson in 1892.  The six story Wilson Building was a family holding until recent years.  Mr. Wilson moved to Florida in 1965, but with his brother, Richard O., who had been vice president of Allied, had maintained an accounting office in Clinton.  Survivors include his wife, Sondra; two sons, James N. of Clinton, and William of Jacksonville, Fla.; a daughter, Mrs. John Grozier of New York City; a brother, Richard O. of Key Biscayne, Fla.; two stepchildren; and several grandchildren.     

      SS Death Index GEORGE WILSON 11 Aug 1915 Sep 1981 32960 (Vero Beach, Indian River, FL) (none specified) 485-03-9692 Iowa 

      Children of George Edwin "Ted" Wilson and Sally (---) were as follows:

      14         i      James N.5 Wilson .

      15         ii      (---)5 Wilson .  She married John Grozier .  

9. Richard O. "Dick"4 Wilson  (George Edwin3, George Edwin2, George Edwin1), born 9 Dec 1918 in Clinton, Clinton, Iowa; died 14 Jul 1984.  He married in Winnetka, Cook, Illinois Virginia "Ginny" Dick .  

Notes for Richard O. "Dick" Wilson

      Obituary:  The Clinton Herald Wednesday July 18, 1984 p. 14 A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the First Presbyterian Church for Richard O. Wilson of Key Biscayne, Fla., former Clinton industrialist and civic leader, who died Saturday.  The Rev. Leslie Pritchard will conduct the service.  Wilson was born in Clinton, Dec. 9, 1918, the son of Mr. and Mrs. G.E. Wilson.  He attended Shattuck Military Academy at Faribault, Minn., Dartmouth College at Hanover, N.H. and was graduated from Northwestern University.  He married Virginia Dick in Winnetka, Ill., and for a time during World War II they lived in Washington, D.C., while Wilson served as an officer in the U.S. Navy.  Upon his return to Clitnon he entered the family business, the Clinton Bridge and Iron Works, which had been purchased by his father in 1892.  He served as vice-president of the firm until its sale to Allied Structural Steel Co. in 1964.  He subsequently was named president of the General Engineering Co. which handled heating equipment and fuel oil.  After the death of his father, he and his brother, G.E. "Ted" Wilson Jr., assumed management of the family's holdings which included the Wilson Building.  Wilson was one of the three founders of the Clinton Development Co. in the early 1950's and served 13 years as its president.  He served as a director and president of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, president of the Clinton Country Club, was a member of the Clinton Airport Commission and held offices in a number of civic organizations.  The Wilson brothers moved to Florida in 1966 but continued to maintain an office  here.  Surviving are his wife; three sons, Charles, Thomas and Robert, all of Florida; and four grandchildren.  His parents and one brother preceded him in death. 

      Children of Richard O. "Dick" Wilson and Virginia "Ginny" Dick were as follows:

      16         i      Charles5 Wilson .

      17         ii      Thomas5 Wilson .

      18         iii      Robert5 Wilson .

 

Michael J. Kearney

Clinton IAGenWeb Logo

HOME