Vilroy T. Wilson, M. D. Biography


	This biography appears on pages 699-700 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. I (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	VILROY T. WILSON, M. D.- In the entire category of avocations to 
which a man may devote his energies there is none which involves a 
greater responsibility than that of the physician and surgeon, in whose 
hands often rest the issues of life itself, and he to whom genuine 
success comes in this exacting profession is the one thoroughly 
appreciative of this responsibility and animated by the deeper pity and 
sympathy which transcend the mere emotion to become a motive --that 
motive being the relief of suffering. The subject of this review is one 
of the able members of the medical profession in South Dakota, being 
established in a thriving practice in Hudson, Lincoln county, where his 
services and ministrations have been such as to gain to him the 
confidence and esteem of the community. The Doctor is a son of Harmon 
V. and Lucy A. (Briggs) Wilson, and comes of staunch New England 
ancestry, both families having long been identified with the annals of 
American history. He was born in Woodstock, Windsor county, Vermont, on 
the 6th of April, 1849, and there he attended the common schools until 
he had attained the age of fifteen years, when his youthful patriotism 
was kindled to responsive action, as the integrity of the Union hung in 
the balance through the menace of armed rebellion. On the 3d of August, 
1862, in his native town, Dr. Wilson enlisted as a private in Company 
C, Sixth Vermont Volunteer Infantry, with which he proceeded to the 
front his command being assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He 
participated in a number of important battles and ever stood at the 
post of duty, though a mere boy at the time, continuing to serve until 
victory had crowned the Union arms and being mustered out, at 
Burlington, Vermont, on July  3, 1865.  

	After his return from the war Dr. Wilson resumed his interrupted 
educational work by entering Kimball Union Academy, at Meriden, New 
Hampshire, in which he completed a three-years course, being graduated 
as a member of the class of 1868. Soon afterward he was matriculated in 
the medical department of famous old Dartmouth College, at Hanover, New 
Hampshire, where he completed the prescribed course and was graduated 
in 1872, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In 1876 he came west to 
McGregor, Iowa, where he was successfully engaged in practice for two 
years, at the expiration of which he located in Waterloo, that state, 
where he continued his professional endeavors until 1888, when he came 
to Hudson, South Dakota, and established himself in practice as one of 
the early physicians of the county. He has received a representative 
support from the start and is one of the leading practitioners of this 
section of the state, keeping in close touch with the advances made in 
his profession and thoroughly devoted to its work. He has been a member 
of the United States pension examining board of the county since 1892, 
and ever shows a deep interest in the old comrades in arms who rendered 
so valiant service during the most crucial epoch in our national 
history. He holds membership in the South Dakota State Medical Society, 
in whose work he takes an active part, being held in high regard by his 
professional confreres. Fraternally the Doctor is identified with 
Jeptha Lodge, No. 132, Free and Accepted Masons; Hudson Lodge, No. 62, 
Knights of Pythias; and Ft. Donelson Post, No. 108, Grand Army of the 
Republic, of which he is past commander and at present medical 
director.  

	On the 24th of June, 1874, Dr. Wilson was united in marriage to 
Miss Louise D. Davis, of Plymouth, Vermont, a daughter of William H. 
and Sophia Davis. They have an adopted son Paul H.