G. F. Wild

G. F. Wild, manager of the New Albin Manufacturing Company, Inc., and since 1908 Mayor of the city, is numbered among the men who have been active in shaping its business and political development, and along both lines of his interests has proved capable efficient and public-spirited, leaving the impress of his work and personality upon general progress and advancement. He is one of Allamakee county’s native sons, his birth having occurred at French Creek in 1875. His parents, George and Katie Wild, settled in that community immediately after their marriage and have there resided since that time, a period of almost half a century. To their union were born twelve children: William, of New Albin; George, who makes his home in Lansing; Emma, the deceased wife of Louis Hirth; Rose, who married E. J. Saddler, of Union City township. G. F., of this review; John, who has passed away; Mrs. Louisa Berkland, of Bowman county, North Dakota; Mary, who married Thurlow Hopp, of Spokane, Washington; Elizabeth, the wife of J. W. Snow, of Montana; Gustave, who is residing on the family homestead near French Creek; E. L., who resides near the home farm; and Clara, the wife of Oscar Smerud, of Houston county Minnesota.

G. F. Wild acquired his education in Allamakee county, and in his childhood divided his time between work upon his father’s farm and attendance at the district school. After he had laid aside his books he turned his attention to the occupation to which he had been reared, following general farming until 1897, in which year he made an entire change in his active interests, becoming identified with industrial pursuits. Forming a partnership with C. J. Bjorklund and John Wild, he assisted in the foundation of a manufacturing plant in New Albin, wherein is done all kinds of interior finishing and cabinet work, and he established in connection with it a lumber business, which has since assumed extensive proportions. The concern was incorporated April 15, 1913, under the name of the New Albin Manufacturing Company, and has the following officers; William Thompson, president; R. G. May, secretary; L. H. Garder, treasurer; and G. F. Wild, manager. The board of directors is as follows: William Thompson, G. F. Wild, C. E. Kester, William Wild and H. H. Holmes. Since the foundation of this enterprise Mr. Wild has given a great deal of his time and attention to the conduct of its affairs, and the credit for its rapid growth and present prosperity is due in large measure to his ability, initiative and enterprise. He has worked along progressive and practical lines, studying modern business conditions and applying his knowledge to the different departments of this concern, making it today well managed in every particular and profitable because it is run on a businesslike and sound basis.

In 1904 Mr. Wild was united in Marriage to Miss Emma Cox, a native of Allamakee county and a daughter of Joseph and Adaline (Ferris) Cox, both of whom have passed away, leaving three children: Emma, the wife of the subject of this review; Margaret, who married J. W. Ross, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Adaline, who lives in New Albin. Mr. And Mrs. Wild became the parents of five children: Neva I., who was born in 1905; Howard E., born April 17, 1908; George F., whose birth occurred in March, 1910; Marion, who passed away at the age of seven months; and Charles Joseph, born May 7, 1912. The family are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They reside in one of the finest homes in New Albin, and this they have made the center of hospitality for their many friends.

Always a stanch and loyal republican, Mr. Wild has taken an active part in local public affairs, supporting always progressive public measures and contributing substantially to projects of reform, improvement and advancement. Upon many different occasions he has served as a member of the city council and he has also been treasurer of his school district. Since 1908 he has been mayor of New Albin, giving to the city a practical, businesslike and constructive administration, characterized by a great deal of important work, accomplished in the public interest. His official record is one of which he has every reason to be proud, for it has been varied in service and beneficial and far-reaching in its results, distinguished at all times by able, practical and progressive work and a constant consideration for the welfare of the people he serves. In both business and political relations Mr. Wild has proved honorable, reliable and efficient, advancing his individual interests along practical lines but making at the same time substantial contributions to general progress.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich

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