Born June 4, 1842, at Fayetteville, Indiana, and while yet a little child the family moved from Indiana to Iowa. He was converted in early youth, and his path was the path of the just, shining more and more unto the perfect day. Dr. Wilson was graduated from the Iowa Wesleyan College, and also from the Boston School of Theology. He was a diligent student and made it his daily habit to study the Bible in the original language. He was married September 14, 1871, to Miss Susan Jane White, daughter of Rev. James White, a pioneer preacher of the Iowa Conference. Dr. Wilson was a strong and useful preacher of the word, but was pre-eminently a Christian pastor. He served his country as a soldier during the Civil War in the 3rd Iowa Cavalry. Dr. Wilson represented Davis County in the Twelfth Iowa General Assembly, 1868.