Charles James "CJ" Wilson

WILSON, CONGER, HOOD

Posted By: Joanne Breen (email)
Date: 4/25/2023 at 12:59:23

Col. Wilson Rites Held on Sunday
Death Occurs Friday After An Extended Illness

Services marked by simplicity were held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 in the Methodist church for Col C. J. Wilson, who died after an extended illness.
The services were in charge of Dr. B. F. Schwartz of the Methodist church, assisted by Dr. F. W. Eastwood of the Presbyterian church. Burial was in Woodlawn cemetery.

The body which was taken to the L. A. Jones funeral home, was removed to the Wilson's home Saturday.

Military Men Coming

Although it was not a military service, several prominent officers of the Iowa National Guard attended. Adjutant General Charles H Grabl was here as a personal representative of the Governor Clyde Herring of whose staff Colonel Wilson was a member.

He had been a member of the staff of every Iowa governor since 1909.

Included among those who were here besides General Grabl was General Matt Tinley of Council Bluffs, Col George F Everest of Council Bluffs, Col. Glen C Haynes of Fort Madison, and Gen Ray Yenter, Col Max O’Brien, Lt Col. James E Thomas, Gen Lloyd B Ross and Gen Guy Logan, all of Des Moines.

Born in Washington

Charles James Wilson was born in the home now known as the Mount home on South Iowa Ave on November 11, 1850. It was then the home of his uncle, Jonathan Wilson. His own father and mother Michael Wilson and Catherine Ann Hood Wilson lived southeast of town and it was here he spent the first twenty years of his life.

“C J” Wilson, as he was always known grew up here attending the law school, at the State University of Iowa where he was graduated in 1875. Before he was graduated from the law school he married Clara Conger, daughter of Jonathan Clark Conger and Jane Sloan Conger on Dec 23, 1872. Mrs. Wilson died March 24, 1910 in Washington, Iowa.

Studied Law Here

Before attending the University, Mr. Wilson studied law in the McJunkin, Henderson and McJunkin law office here. After graduating he formed a partnership with Hon E. W. Stone and Capt. J. J. Kellogg. Stone retired from the firm in 1883, the law firm was known as Wilson and Kellogg. In 1887 this law firm was dissolved by mutual consent. Later years his son Carleton C Wilson became his law partner and the firm was known as Wilson and Wilson until the time of his death.

In 1877 Mr. Wilson was elected city solicitor and served one term being again elected in 1885. He was elected county attorney in 1886 and was re-elected to this position.

A Military Man

Col. C. J. Wilson was a military man having joined Company D Iowa National Guard in 1877 or 1878 in which he held various positions. He was too young to fight in the civil war and too old for the Spanish American, but Washington had no more patriotic citizen.

He was appointed a member of Gov. Cummins’s staff in 1909 and had served in that capacity until his death under republican and democratic governors. He tried to resign in 1923 because of age, but was not accepted.

Nobody knows the public affairs more than he …..illegible, and he was a striking figure in his military uniform.

Unusual Museum

He had many hobbies and his remarkable museum is known all over the state. He loved the outdoors, flowers, birds, trees and he loved his fellow man. Children were a delight to him.

During his last sickness, his great grandson, child of Mr. and Mrs. Carleton Lytle was his special joy. He had a sense of humor which endeared him to everyone.

One sister, Mrs. Alice Shaver survives, and his four children, Mrs. Kathryn Wilson Smith of Richland, Iowa, Carleton C. Wilson, Mrs. Edith Wilson Lytle and Miss Helen Wilson of Washington. There are several grandchildren and one great grandson.

Washington Democrat Independent, April 16, 1936