32 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



IN MEMORIAM 

 JAMES WILSON 



The pioueer period of Iowa produced men of originality and unusual 

 strength of character. One of the outstanding figures of that generation 

 was James Wilson, of Traer. Born in Ayrshire. Scotland, in 1833, he came 

 vrith his parents to Norwich. Connecticut, in 1S51, and to Traer, Iowa, 

 in 1S55. He was the oldest of fourteen children, all of whom came to 

 maturity, and there are now about a hundred descendants of the family 

 living in Iowa. 



In 1S61. he established the farm adjoining the parental homestead. 

 This eventually included twelve hundred acres which was retained until 

 it was divided among his six surviving children during the later years 

 of his life. 



He was educated in the parish schools of Scotland, the public schools 

 of Norwich. Connecticut, and Iowa College, at Grinnell. He left Iowa 

 College in his junior year in order to help other members of the family 

 who were then of college age. While in college, he walked home, forty- 

 five miles, to vote. 



In 1S62. he married Esther Wilbur, of Traer. He was instrumental in 

 establishing the Tranquility Presbyterian Church on the Wilson farm, 

 and gave it his loyal support throughout his life. 



He early displayed qualities of leadership and service. He was elected 

 to the Iowa .House of Representatives in 1S6S-1S73, and was Speaker of 

 the House in 1ST2-1ST3. He was a member of the National House of 

 Representatives in 1S73-1S7T. and again in 1SS3-1SS5. He served as a 

 member of the Iowa State Railway Commission in 1S79-1SS3. He was a 

 regent of the State University of Iowa from 1S70-1S74. and a Trustee of 

 Coe College from 1SS5-1S91. 



From 1S91 to 1S97 he served as Professor of Agriculture and Director 

 of the Agricultural Experiment Station of the Iowa State College. He 

 was Secretary of Agriculture from 1S97-1913 in the cabinets of Presidents 

 McKinley, Roosevelt and Taft, 



It seldom falls to the lot of any man to serve his home community, 

 his state, and nation, in such a signal manner and with such eminent 

 distinction and success as is found in the life of James Wilson. Through 

 all the stress of his varied public life, his loyalty to his home friends, and 

 devotion to the Tranquility Country Church were constant, and likewise 

 his friendships with associates and students, formed during his service 

 at the Iowa State College, were marked by the same genuineness and de- 

 votion that was manifest in all of his great work. In all of his official 

 life, whether state, educational, or national, he was extremely loyal to 

 the administration of which he was a part. No one ever questioned his 

 fidelity. 



