Henry H. WILSON was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, February 8, 1858. He was named for Sir Henry HAVELOCK, the eminent British soldier, who led the charge of the Light Brigade. His father died in Henry's early childhood, aged five years and he was thrown on his own resources. His mother again married to L. S. BROOKS, for years a prominent business man of Lenox, Iowa, in whose home Mr. WILSON was reared. He came to Mount Ayr in the early spring of 1879 when he was 21 years old. He arrived in town with a buggy and one horse, with pens, pencils, notions, etc., and hired Dave MARSHALL to sell his wares on the street from the buggy. On this Saturday afternoon, he soon sold out his wares, and as the railroad was being built, he saw great possibilities.

He always related the circumstances of his becoming a citizen of Mount Ayr with considerable pride. he never knew what failure meant, as success always met him half way.

He went back to Lenox and persuaded his mother to loan him $400. His step-father was favorably impressed and he offered to go into partnership with him after looking the field over, and the store was started in the firm name of L. S. BROOKS and Company, and in six Months Mr. WILSON paid his mother the $400 so his sisters could go to school, and he bought out his step-father and for 43 years continued in the grocery business in Mount Ayr and enjoyed a large and lucrative trade.

On January 16, 1916, he sold out to his brother-in-law, Henry FARIS and Arthur LIGGETT and retired temporarily from business in order to superintend the building of his new home on Sheldon Heights, and to have more time to look after his other large interests. But in a year or so, Mr. FARIS was forced to change climates on account of poor health, and Mr. WILSON again took charge of the business and conducted it until July 1, 1918, when he sold out to the LIGGETT Bros., and Charlie HORNE.

He was at one time the largest land-owner in the county, and personally superintended his farms. He became a stock-holder and director in the Mount Ayr State Bank. he was the moving spirit in the organizing of the Iowa-Missouri Grain Company and as long as he lived was its president, largest stockholder and active head. He also bought and shipped stock. With all his other business, he found time to devote to the business of the community and financial affairs of the Methodist Church. He was looked to, to put the church over the top financially. He took an active part in raising the building funds for the new church, and the Mount Ayr library funds. He took an interest in the Centenary drive. For years he was a member of the school board and on the committee for the new school house in 1914.

He put over the Salvation Army drive for funds practically unaided. He was greatly interested in the need of a new hotel, and at the time of his death was planning an new seed house, in connection with the elevator.

His death came as a crushing blow to his family, friends, and the town, especially to the poor. He was a true friend and the soul of honor. He despised a crook, thief and a liar. He was broad and charitable in his views and always acted from the best impulses. He was the poor man's friend. His death left a place no one has ever been able to fill. He died suddenly and unexpectedly, January 10, 1922, leaving his wife and two sons and one daughter-in-law (Charles, Frank and wife). He leaves a brother and sister at Albuquerque, N.M., a sister in Canada, and his youngest sister, Miss Julia, of Chicago. He was laid to rest in Rose Hill Cemetery, January 12, 1922. Later - His son Charles, died in August, 1936.

SOURCE:
LESAN, Mrs. B. M. Early History of Ringgold County: 1844 - 1937 Pp. 71-72. Blair Pub. House. Lamoni IA. 1937.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2010