Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-01-29

FORMER City Treasurer WiIhcrt 6
wilson will shortly enter the en-
ploy of the state Trust Comnany II
was learned yesterday. Just what
PoSi'oh he will assume has not vet
hceh announced. pending a rear
rangement in the banks personnel
Inc directors of the state Trust
company, ever alert to the best in
!erests or its patrons and recognize
Ing IN MI. Wilson Il young man Of
cNceplional ability, as proven by his
Spiehd!d administration of the nnan-
clai affairs of the city the past six
wears. made him Il very nattcrinr
olfer. which has been accepted bv
Mr. Wilson. and he will shortly en-
ter upon his duties.
The state Trust Companv. nj.
though the junior banking institu-
tion OF the city, has made rapid and
steady progress since its orcaniZa
ton and today enjoys a clientele re-
markahle III volume. its patrons
ranging from the thrifty working
man TO the business and profession
al men of Augusta and SURROUNDING
towns. In addition. it serves many
! large interests reaching to far parts
of the State. Mr.. Wilson is TO be
congratulated for having identified
himself with this dependable insti-
tuition and in turn the State Trust
Company will benefit in acquiring
his services.
MI. Wilson was elected to COM
mon council in 1912 and 1919. and
the board of aldermen in 1914, in
which body he was chairman of the
committee on highways and sewers
While a member of the common
council he drafted and introduced
an ordinance for the removal of
over-hanSing signs. with which the
business streets We're at that time
uttered. The Republican party, of
which he was a member was great
~ i'll the minority, and the pro-
posed ordinance met with strong OPP
position from the majority party, vet
after fight lasting several months
he was successful. The improve
ment in appearance to Augustus
business streets as we'll as the re-
mOval of a menace to pedestrians,
has been SO marked that nobody
would wish to go back to the old
order of things.
lie served as member of the
board of education in 1015-1G-11 and
l91S, and as chairman during the
first three years, and was unanim-
ously elected chairman the fourth
year, but declined to accept.
In 1917 he was appointed city
treasurer and collector by Hon.
Willis Il. Swift, who was mayor at
that time. At the expiration OF his
twO-year term he was re-appUinted
by Mayor Martin, and again by May
or Fogg, so that he has served in
that capacity six years. AS tax col
leCtor he has collected every dollar
of the 1917, 1918. 1919 and 1920
taxes. except such as was in the
regular program abated by the as
SCISSORS. The 1921 and 1922 taxes
with the exception of bankrupt con-
Germs. have been mostly collected.
AS treasurer he has worked to clear
the Citys books of worthless ac-
counts listed as assets. and has been
successful after years of lnvestlSa-
ton entailing much time and Ell
fort. in collecting and having
charged off from the books, many
thousands of dollars in sewer assess
ments. tax deeds. cemetery accounts,
etc, so that today with the cXcep-
ton of back taxes, over which he
had no jurisdiction. the city's ac-
counts would suffer very little
shrinkace. lie has always advocat
cd the issue of bonds upon the Sc
rial plan. which provides for a part
to be paid each year. and a pay-as-
you-go policy. and recommends that
the city provide Il fund to take care
of the various trust funds which
wears ago were left to the city for
specific purposes. but were eXpend-
ed rather than deposited. In view
of. or rather as a result of. that I'M
business-like custom which for so
many years was practlced. these
funds appear upon the wrong sac
of the ledger. but ought to be COW
cred by cash
Mr.. Wilson is n member of the
various Masonic bodies, Il member
of the shrine, a :;2nd degree Mason,
and a past commander of TRINITY
Commandery, No. Z, Is. T. Ills ear
Nv education was obtained in the
country schools. to which he walked
several miles each day, and WORKED
before and after each days walk.
At the age OF ten his mother died
and he left home to work out his
own salvation. attending school ait
or that age only during the winter
months. Later he went to Boston.
where he learned trade, and
spending his evenings at night
school. He worked at his trade of
tool-makcr until meeting with an
accident which obliged him to take
out -of-door employment until nc
rcCained his health. In 19OI he
went with the i. +. Parrot co. as
travelling salesman. and when they
sold ont to Fuller HolwaE Co.. went
with that concern, later travelling Tor
IL Boston sugar concern. until after
his appointment as city treasurer;
consequently. he has large ac,
uuaintance throughout Maine ana
New Hampshire. In 1917 he pur-
chased an attractive home over.
looking the state Park, corner OF
Union and Columbia streets. which
he enjoys with his wife and two
daughters Florence and Helen. He
was active and prominent in the va
,;ous war drives and has always