Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-Eugene C. Wilson


Portrait and Biographical Album
of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890




EUGENE C. WILSON, former Postmaster of Clay Center, is one of the oldest residents of this place, having come here in 1874 when it was but an embryo town. He was born in Theresa, Jefferson Co., N. Y., March 4, 1842, and is thus approaching the forty-eighth year of his age. He lived there until the outbreak of the Civil War, attending both the village and High School, and being carefully trained by his excellent parents to habits of industry and sentiments of honor.

The inborn patriotism of young Wilson would not permit him to stand idly by while his friends and acquaintances were joining the Union army, and he accordingly enlisted in Company F, 10th New York Heavy Artillery, and served in the eastern fortifications at Washington, with a regiment 2,600 strong. They were stationed there one year. Mr. Wilson occupying the post of gunner, at which he became an expert. The repeated concussions finally nearly destroyed his hearing and he was obliged to withdraw from the service. Upon his partial recovery a few months later, he went to Chicago, Ill., and re-enlisted in Company E, 9th Illinois Cavalry, which was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, and operated in Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas. Mr. Wilson participated in forty-four different engagements, and remained with this regiment until it was mustered out at Selma, Ala., in 1865.

Returning to Jefferson County. N. Y., Mr. Wilson remained there for a time, then repairing to Lapeer County. Mich., engaged in the mercantile business at Hadley. and later established a branch store in Linden, Tenn., which he operated for years. In 1869 he crossed the Mississippi and sojourned for a brief time in Kansas City and Ft. Scott, where he officiated as State agent for the different companies, putting up bridges through Missouri and Kansas. The first structure was laid across the Republican River, and another was built at Concordia. In 1874 a company of men was organized to engage in the manufacture of brick at Clay Center, and Mr. Wilson joined them and subsequently operated as a contractor. In pursuance of this business he had a hand in building nearly all of the permanent brick structures in the city, and was thus engaged until a year after his appointment as Postmaster, his commission dating from April 22, 1886. He qualified on May 1, and discharged the duties of the office with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned.

After assuming charge of the post-office Mr. Wilson acquired an interest in the post-office book and stationery stand, with which he remained connected a year, then withdrew to give his attention fully to his official duties. He has a farm of eighty acres adjoining the town limits, and a snug home only six minutes walk from his place of business. He has very little to do with politics, simply voting with the Democratic party, and socially belongs to the I. O. O. F.

The marriage of Eugene C. Wilson and Miss Maggie J. Purvis, of Clay Center, took place at the bride's home. May 17, 1873. The five children born of this union are all living, and are named respectively, Byron C., Clarence S., Blanche, Grace and Bertie. Mrs. Wilson was born in Beaver County. Pa., May 28, 1845, and is the daughter of Samuel Purvis, who came to Kansas when quite young. She is a member in good standing of the Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Wilson is a regular attendant, and which he assists in supporting. The father of our subject was Suel Wilson, who was born in New York State in 1809, and labored as a general mechanic during his younger years. Later he conducted a hotel in Jefferson County, where he spent his last days.



(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure

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