The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1933-06-15
w. 7. Wilcox, Merchant Here
Since 1898, Buried Tuesday
Twice Mayor, Served on Council
Eight Years; Took Only
One Vacation
) DIED IN MINNEAPOLIS
Leaves Wife and Ten Children:
Was Active in Lodge and
Civic Activities

Business halted in Redwood Falls
Tuesday afternoon as hundreds of
friends and neighbors went to pay last
respects to w. T. Wilcox, 63, mer-
chant here for 35 years, who was
buried after services at his home and
at the Methodist church. Rev. G. E.
Martin offciated.
Mr.. Wilcox died of acute peritoni-
tbs at the Eitel hospital in Minnea-
polls Saturday night. He suffered an
attack of appendicitis Friday, June 2,
and was taken to Minneapolis
the following Sunday where an opera
ton was performed after the appen-
dix had ruptured. Death resulted
from complications a week later.
Active in civic and social as well
as business life, Mr.. Wilcox served
two terms as mayor and was a men,
Der of the city council for eight
years, besides being an active men,
Der of the 1. o. O. F. and A. o. U. W.
He was on the council from 1905 to
1911 and again in 1913 and 1914. He
was mayor in 1923 and 1924.
In January he completed term as
president of the Commercial club dur
ing which he inaugurated economies
which greatly helped the organiza-
ton survive the depression.
Born in Missouri
He favored lower taxes and econo-
my in government before it was
popular subject and was outspoken
in his stand on every issue, regard
less of the cost in votes. His last
political encounter occurred last sum-
mer when friends supported him as
a "sticker" candidate for the school
board where he made strong run.
He was candidate for mayor against
H. D. Thorp two years ago and ran
for county commissioner the fall be-
fore against E. A. Pease.
Warren Tobias Wilcox was born
October II. 1869 in Chillicothe, Mis-
siouri and was the son of Mr.. and
Mrs. A. w. Wilcox. In 1872, when
three years old, Mr.. Wilcox moved
with his parents to Minnesota and
settled on farm near Beaver Falls
where he assisted his father in
operating ferry across the Mime
sofa river.
When Is years old, Mr.. Wilcox
moved to Redwood Falls and worked
with his father, who dealt in wood,
coal and feed. In 1898, he went into
business for himself and erected a
frame building on the corner of Mill
and Third streets where Standard
Oil station now stands and sold farm
implements.
Before two years had passed his
business expanded and his building
was too small to accommodate the
increase. He moved across the street
and erected a larger frame building
where the Pure Oil station now is
located.
In 1909 with his business still grow
ing, Mr.. Wilcox built the front part
of the present building, 40 by 60 feet
and in 1915 the frame building on
the corner was moved and the brick
building enlarged. In 1910 he took
an automobile agency and in five
years sold 1854 cars.
Addition in 1918
The block was completed in 1918
when the present R. w. Pryor gar
age was constructed. The large
hardware stock of D. E. Laird was
added in 1917. Prior to that time,
Mr.. Wilcox had handled only farm
implements, harnesses, pianos and
automobiles.
In 1921, the west section of the
store was sold to w. F Jackson and
Mr.. Wilcox discontinued handling
farm implements.
Mr.. Wilcox only took one vacation
in his As years of business in Red
wood Falls. In 1915 he and Mrs.
Wilcox went to the west coast where
he visited his brothers, Frank and
George.
Mr.. Wilcox married Miss Mary
Wilson November 16, 1893 in Red
wood Falls to whom ten children were
born. Mrs. Alice Lightfoot of Olivia.
Mrs. Carrie Watkins, George, Harry,
Doris, Mabel, Mildred and Eunice,
Redwood Falls; Miss Evelyn Wilcox,
Detroit, Michigan and Mrs. Mar
guerite Stewig of Waukesha, Wiscon-
sin.
Mr.. Wilcox is also survived by his
mother, Mrs. Rosalanda Wilcox OF
Roseau, Minnesota; five brothers, De-
los of Roseau, John w. of Minneapo-
lis, Frank NJ. of Arlee, Montana,
George C. of Roseau and Harry M.
of Crookston, Minnesota and three
sisters; Mrs. Carrie Knopke Of Bemi-
dji, Mrs. Daisy Long Of Turtle River
and Mrs. Ruby McPhee of Los An
geles, California.
Pail bearers at the funeral were
fN~-<s~,,oa cu po~a 1ll