The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1901-07-12
psnth Of W. G. Wilder.


stroke of apoplexy.
He was born in Canada ia 1886 OF
American parents, during their tenn
porary residence across the line.
His early rscollections, however,
we're OF New York, his parents hav-
ing returned, while William was yet
an infant, and taken up their resi-.
dencs in that State. When nine
years OF age be moved with his
parents, in 1874, to Geneva, IL.
Here we're passed his youth and
early manhood, aud here he re-
ceived his education, the facilities
for which, however, were limited in
that locality in those early days
The Wilder family were then poor,
and when the subject OF this sketch
had attained the proper age to start
in the world for himself, he learned
the painters trade, at which, to
gether with undertaking, the bust
ness in which his father WAS en-
gagged at Geneva, he continued un.
til April, 1860, when, beco ming in
fected with the gold fever, he join
ed the fortuue hunters who turned
their steps westward with pixies
{ eak or bust" as their motto. As
was the case with many, he return
ed ia the fall of the sama year to
Geneva, after several months OF
hard aud profitless labor He then
continued the painting business on
his own account until the breaking
out OF the war. Upon Lincoln's
first call for troops in 1861, w. &C.
Wilder was the first man to enlist
in the first company that was or
ganized in the State OF Illinois
They went into camp at S pring field,
preparatory to thu Organization oil
the fist illinois Regiment of In.
fantry. All Of his company were
not wanted, however, to fill the
regiment. and twenty four of its
members, including hims elf, return.
ed home Upon the call for three
years troops w. G. Wilder assisted
in organizing an independent com.
pany OF cavalry, which was muster
ed into service on he 7.h Of july
1861, and Immediately sent to Mis-
souii, and afterwards merged into
the Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry as
Company II. Mr.. Wilder was elect
ed first lieutenant, aud upon the re-
signatiop, some months later, OF his
predecessor, he was made captain,
The company arrived at j. ff-rsor
Barracks, Mo-, on tho 10th Of
August. From ST. Louis Capt
Wilder's regiment marched through
Arkansas to Vicksburg, aud wen
under the first command OF Sher
man, Captain Wilier was in The
battle OF Arkansas Post, ths battle
Of Chickasaw Bayou, the FIRST battle
before Vicksburg and other engage
ments until March, 1868, when il
health compelled HIM 10 resign
from the army and return 10 Gene
va, where. after partial recovery, ht
went to work at his trade.
In 1869 his brothor, S G. Wilder
who was then in Honolulu, ssnt fol
him to come to Hawaii which he de
cided to do, landing here in May
1863. He Immediately went to worl
for his brother on the Kualoa plan
tatiop, but, after remaining two anl
half years, the plantation wa
closed, aud thu subject of this sketch
returned once more to Geneva
Here he remained at his old employ
meut until his brother engaged il
he lumber business, and again Sen
for him to come to Honolulu, which
he did in 1873, bringing with hin
his wife and three children. Ii,
was employe as lumber tallyer 10
several years, and for five or 81,
years before his brother died hat
entire charge OF the business Ate
that gentleman's decease, w, c
Wilder assumed control OF tn
whole concern, and has since con
Quoted it in his own interest ant