Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1870-11-04
Death Of Cen. Wiltso.

| The Dubuque papers of Tuesday
brought the melancholy intelligence
of the death of Gen. II. A. Wiltse o,
that city, on Sunday night, of pheu
monia, brought on by hard cold
contracted during trip to Des
MoineS.
Those who knew Gen. Wiltsc and
the estimation in which he was held
by all parties in Dubuque, will not
need to be told that this sad event
created a profound sensation of sor-
row in that city, as it will elsewhere
wherever his genial kindly nature,
his inexhaustible fund of good feel
ing, his honorable character and pol
ishcd manners were known and APP
prcciatcd. Gen. Wiltse was init
mately identified with the history
and progress of Dubuque, and no
citizen more completely enjoyed the
respect and confidence Of her pco-
pie. All enterprises of public
character found in him willing
worker, and especially are the pub
lie schools of Dubuque indebted to
the wisdom and zeal of Gen. Wiltse
for their prosperity and efficiency.
Upon announcement of his decease
meetings were called of the Board
of Education and Of the bar-of
which he was a prominent and sue
cessful member-at which resolu-
tons of respect were passed, and
his funeral from the Congregational
Church, Of which he has been for
some years member, was numcr-
ously attended by all classes of citi-
ZenS.
From a brief biography in the
Times we condense the following
facts concerning the career Of Gen.
Wiltse:
Gen. Wiltse was SO years old at
the time of his death, having been
born in Tompkins county, N. Y, on
the 10th of January, 1917. He was
educated as civil engineer, and
made such progress in his profess
ion as soon to enable him to obtain
lucrative situation in the employ
Of the Erie Railroad. At the con-
clusion of this engagement Mr..
Wiltse turned his attention to the
west. Coming on to Chicago then
in its infancy, he remained few
months, and then pushed on to the
lead regions about Galena, locating
near Sinsinawa. He soon after te-
ceived from the Government a COM
mission to survey and mark the
boundaries of Texas, which he faith
fully performed, and returned to Ga
lena. He thence removed to Ian
caster, Wis, where he purchased
and edited with much ability and
success, the Lancaster Xerulu.
When Gen. Jones was made Survey
or General of Iowa, Mr.. Wiltse re-
moved to Dubuque and entered the
Office as chief clerk. This was in
1910, and he remained in the Sur
veyor Generals office until 1851,
when he commenced the study of
law with Platt Smith, Esq. lie was
admitted to the bar, and in partner
ship with J. 5. Blatchlcy built up
large and lucrative practice, amass-
ing considerable money. Upon the
election Of Mr.. Lincoln, in 1860, Mr..
Wiltse was appointed Surveyor Gen
cral, which position he held until
the Office was removed in 1866.
When this took place Gen. WiItsc
removed to Pickwick, Mimi, where
he engaged in the business Of mill
ing, from which he retired at the
end of two years with the loss of
the greater portion of his fortune.
He then returned to Dubuque and
engaged in the practice of his pro-
fcssion, lending his whole energies
to the reinforcement of his fortune,
and just realizing the fruits Of sue
cess when death overlook him. He
leaves a wife and two children.
Mrs. DIR. Geo. Warnc, of this city,
is Il sister of Gen. Wiltse, and he
has a brother practicing law in
Sioux City.