Born in Otsego county, New York on the 5th day of April, 1840. Most of his life until seventeen years of age was passed in St. Lawrence county, New York, he receiving but a common school education. In 1857 Elwood came to Butler county, Iowa, and his parents soon after followed him. Shortly after his arrival he bought a farm in Shell Rock township. In the fall of 1872 he was elected to the office of county recorder, and assumed his new duties the following year. He was re-elected twice, holding the office for the space of six years. He was elected justice of the peace in 1878 and again in 1880 and 1882. He was also engaged in the collection agency and insurance business. In politics Mr. Wilson is a staunch republican. He was elected to represent Butler county in the Twenty-first and Twenty-second General Assemblies, 1886-1888. He was a Master Mason and a member of the lodge at Shell Rock. He was married in 1861 to Miss Priscilla C. Courtwright, who was born in the state of Illinois.

Born in Otsego county, New York on the 5th day of April, 1840. Most of his life until seventeen years of age was passed in St. Lawrence county, New York, he receiving but a common school education. In 1857 Elwood came to Butler county, Iowa, and his parents soon after followed him. Shortly after his arrival he bought a farm in Shell Rock township. In the fall of 1872 he was elected to the office of county recorder, and assumed his new duties the following year. He was re-elected twice, holding the office for the space of six years. He was elected justice of the peace in 1878 and again in 1880 and 1882. He was also engaged in the collection agency and insurance business. In politics Mr. Wilson is a staunch republican. He was elected to represent Butler county in the Twenty-first and Twenty-second General Assemblies, 1886-1888. He was a Master Mason and a member of the lodge at Shell Rock. He was married in 1861 to Miss Priscilla C. Courtwright, who was born in the state of Illinois.