The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1921-08-04
JOHN A. WILSON,
PIONEER, PASSES

John A. Wilson, a pioneer citizen OF
Hood River and well-known Grand
Army man, passed quietly away at his
residence. Seventh and Eugene streets.
Hood River, August l., 1921. aged 80
years. A man of commanding figure,
soldierlv bearing and genial disposi-
ton, he will be missed from the thin
ming ranks of the Grand Army and by
his neighhors throughout the valley in
which he made his home for nearly
half century.
Mr.. Wilson was born in Fayette
county, Indiana, May Il, 184l. His
father. Samuel Wilson, member of an
old and prominent family in South Car
olina, was a pioneer Of Indiana. At
the outbreak of the Civil war young
Wilson was one of the first to answer
the call of President Lincoldn when he
asked for rs, 900 volunteers to suppress
insurrection and maintain order in the
seeding states. April % 1861 ten
days after the firing upon Fort Sump
ter, he was enrolled upon the roster of
Co. H., Sth Indiana infantry, and took
his stand as a defender of the Union
in war that was to last four long
years. His first enlistment was for
80 days. Later he reenlisted in the
10th Indiana infantry and was mustered
out at the close rof the war, having
served four years and one month. His
first battle was at Rich Mountain, w.
Va, in the summer ofsl86l, during his
first enlistment. In his second enlist
ment he fought in the battles of New
Madrid, Biddles Point, Fort Pember-
ton, Fort Gibson, Champion Hills,
Siege of Vicksburg, Jackson and at
Grand Chaton and Mansfield, La. At
the latter place he was taken prisoner
and spent four months at Camp Ford,
Texas, and four months at Camp
Gross, Texas. December 8, 1864, he
was exchanged and continued in the
service until September 4, 1865, when
he was discharged at Louisville.
In. politics Mr.. Wilson was Repub-
lican of the Abraham Lincoln type.
He was a friend of education and gave
much of his time looking after the
Barrett school he helped to establish
and of which district he was director
for many years. He was pioneer of
Hood River valley, coming here with
his family in 1875. He located on a
farm in the Barrett district where he
continued to reside until IA years ago,
when he sold his farm, purchased de-
sirable residence property in the city
of Hood River and spent a happy and
retired life. hOnored and respected by
his fellow-citizens He was a charter
member of Candy Post. G. A. R., a
Past Commander and for the past Ia
years its quartermaster. He was san
active member of the Department En-
campment and will be missed at the
annual meetings. He was foremost in
relief work among his needy or dis
abled comrades.
The marriage of Mr.. Wilson occurred
February 4, 1869, at AncOna, III.
Nancy Chamberlain, who survives
him, became his bride. Two years ago
last February the couple celebrated
their golden wedding in their comfort
able home, surrounded by their chill
dren and grandchildren and visited by
a host of friends.
Besides his widow, Mr.. Wilson is
survived by seven children and four
grandchildren. His children are: Aus
tin and Lee, Of Six Prong, Wash. /;
George. of San Gabriel, Calf. Laura,
of Portland, Flora and Grace at home
and Mrs. George d. Hinish, of Port
land. The first-boTn child, Lena, died
at the age of five years.
Funeral services for Mr.. Wilson
were held from the residence at 2
O'Clock yesterday afternoon. interment
following at ldlewilde. Rev. w. A.
Wood oficiated. S. f. Bartmess di-
rected the funeral.