Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-08-26
DEATH CLAIMS
JAMES WILSON
Long and Useful Public
Career of ''Tama jim"
Closed.
HELD RECORD FOR
CABINET SERVICE

oenes ana RAD prominent Fart IN
Exnension Of Department Into
Wide Fields Of uefuIne's-EarIy
Legislator and Congressman.
Special to TYmes-Bepublican.
Traer Aug. 26.-James Wilson,
formen secretary OF the department
OF agriculture, died at his home here
at IL q. m. today. following AN ILL.
ness which has extended over several
months. Mr.. Wilson was Sc years
old.
Broke Cabinet Resord.
James Wilson was head Of the de-
partment Of agriculture for fifteen
years. during which he contributed
largely to the phenomenal agrlcultur-
al development OF the United Stares,
Ills long seuice In the cabinet con-
stituted record. Albert Galialln,
once secretary OF the treasury, had
previously held the record with SER
vice or nearly thirteen years,
Mr.. Wilson's service, however. was
notable for the constructive work
which it included, rather than for
the remarkably long time which he
held the portfolio, with complete ac-
ceptability under three presidents OF
diverse tempernments Mckinley,
Roosevelt and Taft.
When MIR. Wilson took office the
agricultural development of the coun.
try was already remarkable, but in
the years during which, he was, at
the helm of its interests SO far as
The federal government was con-
cerned this development was in
creased far beyond the boundaries of
natural promise which mere land
and work afforded. The increasing
.helpfulness which the federal govern
ment exercised in this development
is indicated in some extent by the
fact that when Mr.. Wilson became
secretary there were 2,444 employees
in the department. and that when he
Aleft it there were approximately H.
600. This increase. involving Alto
gether larger and larger appropria-
tions. Mr.. Wilson obtained on the
merits OF one>. achievement after
another, until 1t became universal
belief among the farmers that the
department of agriculture was work
ing with single minded purpose lor
their benefit.
Secretary Wilson introduced into
the United States a great number OF
valuable crops which hitherto had
been successful only In foreign coun-
tries. Among these was durum
wheat, which came to yield nearly
$50.000,000 O year to the farmers OF
the northwest. He thus extended the
possibilities Of wheat growing far
beyond the former climatic limits.
Under his administration the beet
sugar industry was also fostered. a
serum for hog cholera was discover
ed. the whole country was aroused, on
the subject Of tuberculosiN In cattle
and the care and handling OF milk
was systemized and improved.
Sample sections Of good roads were
built in almost every state, and COM
munities were instructed how to
build good roads with their local
material The forests were studied
and remarkable advances made
toward the conservation of them, and
the explaining Of the deforested
areas. In connection with the de-
partment's active work. the official
agricultural literature was developed
to the end that departmental bulle-
tins became Of great value among the
farmers, presented as they We're In
simple language along practical lines,
Native Of Scotland.
James Wilson, known thruout the
nation as the former secretary of
agriculture, but to thousands OF
Iowans as "Tama jim" was nativs
of Scotland, having been born ip
Ayrshire, Aug. is, 1895, the son OF
John and Jean Wilson. The Wilson's
emigrated to America in 1852, settling
first in Connecticut, but three years
later moving to Traer, Tama county.
Iowa. The elder wilson was farmer
and five stock producer. +
The son. James. after securing q
common school education, attended
the state agricultural college at
Ames. In 1861 he purchaser a farm
Of his own In Tama county and en-
tered on his career as farmer, STOCK
raiser'and student Of agriculture. On
May z, 1863, he was married to Miss
Esther Wilbur.
He began his public career as q
member of the Iowa legislature in
1867, serving three terms, the last
of these as speaker Of the house. It
was while in the legislature that he
acquired the name DE- "Tama Jim"
to distinguish him from another
James Wilson who also served in the
legislature at that time. He was
"Tama Jim" because he came from
Tama county.
First Railroad Commissioner.
While serving in the legislature he
became familiar with the problems
of the railroads and Of the state in
those early days and with the trans
portation burdens of which tho
people were then Complaining. On a
railroad issue he was elected to con-
gress from the Fifth Iowa district IN
1873 and again in 1875. He took a
prominent pan In the proceedings In
preparation for the counting of the
electoral vote in 1875 and had pre-,
viousls been active in providing fot
an electoral commission. It was