Edward Henry Wilson Biography


	This biography appears on pages 456-459 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				EDWARD HENRY WILSON.  

	Edward Henry Wilson, who has been a practicing attorney of Salem, 
South Dakota, for more than three decades, enjoys an enviable 
reputation as one of the leading representatives of the profession in 
his section of the state. His birth occurred in New Williamsport, 
Pennsylvania, on the 7th of April, 1857, his parents being Evan C. and 
Leah (Crawford) Wilson, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state 
and came of Irish extraction. They passed away in Lycoming county, 
Pennsylvania. Throughout his active business career Evan C. Wilson 
devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits.  

	Edward H. Wilson was reared on the home farm and acquired his 
early education in the common schools. Subsequently he attended Mount 
Union College of Mount Union, Ohio, and Starkey Seminary of Yates 
county, New York. The former institution conferred upon him the degree 
of Bachelor of Philosophy. In 1876 he took up the study of law at 
Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in the office of Bentley & Parker. In 
November, 1880, he came to South Dakota, locating in Canton, where he 
completed his law studies in the office of Judge O. S. Gifford. He was 
admitted to the bar in 1882 and in the spring of the following year 
came to Salem, South Dakota, where he has remained in successful 
practice continuously since. An excellent presence an earnest, 
dignified manner, marked strength of character, a thorough grasp of the 
law and the ability accurately to apply its principles are factors in 
his effectiveness as an advocate.  

	In 1883 Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Ettie L. Young, 
of Morganville, New York, by whom he had four children, two of whom 
survive, namely: Leon P., who is a commercial salesman residing at 
Forth Worth Texas; and Leverne E., a high-school student. .  

	Mr. Wilson is a republican in politics, loyally supporting the 
men and measures of that party. From 1884 until 1890 he served as 
territorial district attorney and also held the office of states 
attorney for fourteen years, from 1890. In these important positions he 
made a most creditable record and has been attorney for the Chicago, 
St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railroad since 1885. For the past twenty 
years he has been a member of the Salem school board and has ever taken 
an active and commendable part in public affairs He is a charter member 
of the State Historical Society.  

	Fraternally Mr. Wilson is identified with the Masons, belonging 
to the following organizations: Fortitude Lodge, No. 73, A. F. &; A. 
M.; Salem Chapter, No. 34, R. A. M.; Constantine Commandery, K. T.; 
Oriental Consistory, No. 2, A. & A. S. R., of Yankton; and El Riad 
Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He is likewise 
a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Salem Lodge, No. 
106, I. O. O. F., while his wife belongs to the Presbyterian church. A 
social nature renders him popular and his genuine worth has gained for 
him the high regard of many with whom he has been associated. His 
attention, however, is chiefly concentrated upon his profession and he 
is regarded as a faithful and conscientious minister in the temple of 
justice, who gives to his client the service of great talent, unwearied 
industry and wide learning, yet never forgets that there are certain 
things due to the court, to his own self-respect and above all to 
justice and a righteous administration of the law, which neither the 
zeal of an advocate nor the pleasure of success would permit him to 
disregard.