The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1901-07-12
Death Of w. e. w,ioer.

stroke OF apoplexy.
He was bora in Canada ia 1886 Of
American parents, during their tenn.
porary residence across the line.
His early rscollectons, 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 al art
in the world for himself, be learned
the painters trade, at which, to
gether with undertaking, the bust
ness in which his father WAS en-
gagged at Geneva, he contiu ued un.
til April, 1860, when, beco ming in
feoted with the gold fever, he join
ed the fortuue hunters who turned
their steps westward with "P ,ke's
eak or bust" as their motto. As
was the case with 10 any, he return
ed ia the fall of the sam, 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. G.
Wilder was the first man to enlist
in the first company that was or
ganized ia the State OF Illinois
They went into camp at Springfield,
preparatory to thu organization Of
the fist Illinois Regiment of In
fantry. All Of his company were
not wanted, however, to fill the
regiment. and twenty four of it's
members, including him elf. return.
ed home Upon the call for three
years. troops w. G. Wilder assisted
in organizing an independent COM
pany OF cavalry, which wa muster
ed into service on the 7.h Of july,
1861, and Immediately sent to Mis-
souii, and afterwards merged into
the Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry as
Company III. 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. tferson
Barracks, Mo-, on the 10Th Of
August From ST, Louis Capt.
Wilder's regiment marched through
Arkansas to Vicksburg, aud went
under the first command of Sher.
man, Captain Wilder was in the
battle OF Arkansas Post, tho battle
Of Chickasaw Bayou, the first battle
before Vicksburg and other engage
ments until March, 1868, when i'll
health compelled HIM 10 resign
from the army and return TO Gene.
va, where, after partial recovery, he
went to work at his trade.
In 1869 his brother, S G.. Wilder,
who was then in Honolulu, ssnt for
him to come to Hawaii which he de
cded to do, landing here in May,
1869. He Immediately went TO work
for his brother on the Kualoa plan
tatiop, but, after remaining two and
half years, the plantation was
closed, aud tn. sub Jet OF this sketch
returned once more to Geneva.
Here he remained at his old employ
ment until his brother engaged in
The lumber business, and again sent
for him TO come to Honolulu, which
he did in 1873, bringing with him
his wife and three children. He
was employe IS lumber tallyer for
several years, and for five or six
years before his brother died had
entire charge OF the business Alter
that gentleman's decease, w. G
Wilder assumed control OF the
whole concern, and has since con,