The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-12-17
HON. WILLIAM WILSON.
The Life OF a Successful and Self
Made Man.
Especial to the Press. /

AUGUSTA, Dec. 15.-Hon. William Wilson
of Hallowell died at o'clock Saturday morn
ing, his death occurring one year and thirty
minutes later than that of the late Governor
Bodwell, who passed away at $50 o'clock in
the morning Mr.. Wilson suffered a slight
stroke of paralysis last May and again one
OF greater severity, December 9th, from
which he never recovered. Mr.. Wilson was
born in Industry, October A, 1917, beginning
life on farm, where he worked summers
and attended the town schools winters. He
received very fair academic education and
taught school for while. But he preferred
business life TO that of pedagogue and en-
tered into the dry goods trade at Newbury-
port, Mass. Disp0sing Of his establishment
there, he next went to HalloweIl, where he
again embarked in the dry goods business,
Francis Lyford, Calvin Prescott and James
III. Leigh being associated with him at differ
ent times. With Mr.. Leigh he opened store
In Portland, the two diss0lving partnership
after time, the former returning to Halo
well and Mr.. Wilson going to Rockand,
where, still bent on commercial occupation,
he bought into store where general mer-
chandise, groceries and dry goods were sold,
having for partners John 5. Case and JOna-
than White. He was also engaged in the
lime rock business, but, after few years,
selling this, he came to Hallowell again
through the influence of his old partner,
James ID. Leigh.
The Hallowell granite quarry was then in
It's infancy, being owned by lawyer named
Stlnchheld, who was chiefly engaged in quar-
rying paving blocks. Mr.. Wilson purchased
IL and with the late Mr.. Bodwell the Halo
well Grant works were founded, which have
aUue an Immense and constantly increasing
business. Since 1872 Mr.. Wilson has beer
treasurer OF The company and to his exertiOns
was due much of its success. He was large
owner In the company, his interest probably
exceeding that of Gov. Bodwell, which wa:
SSO,OOO: he was president OF the Maine Let
Co. and director Of the Hallowell Nationa
BANK. HIS property Is variously estimated
at from $250,000 to $50O,00O.
Mr.. Wilson was one of the most promi
nent members Of the Baptist denomination
In the State, having been a trustee of Colby
university at the time of his death. He filled
many important places Of trust, Representing
Hallowell in the Legislature two terms ant
Council which Gov. Plaisted had so mucl
difficulty with. Mr.. Wilson was an untirine
worker, ever at his post of duty, and mar
Of sterling worth. At the same time he wal
generous, his hand frequently dispensing
charity to the needy, and DO request for aiC
ever went unheeded. He leaves a wife anC
one son. His Oldest son was master of ,
ship, dying Of yellow fever while on trip Il
the West indies The deceased captain wal
the father of boy, now young man Of .
| years.
Funeral services will be held at the lat,
| residence of the deceased in Hallowell OF
Tuesday afternoon, being conducted by Rev
G. +. Holbrook, of Hollowell, and Rev. A
Rev. q. ID. b. Pepper, of Colby University
| assisting