Born in Addison County, Vt., June 24, 1810, and is the son of Pliny and Mary (Remele) Wilcox. The subject of this sketch was taken to Portage County, Ohio, in early childhood by his parents, later removing to Medina County, and from there to Iowa in 1836, locating in what was known as the Half Breed Tract, in Lee County, where he purchased about 2,000 acres of land. During the winter of 1838 he sold his land and went to Illinois locating at Commerce, afterward called Nauvoo. He returned to Lee County, Iowa, about the year 1841, and in 1845 located in Union Township, Des Moines County, engaging in farming until 1863, when he took up his residence in Burlington, since making this city his home. In 1861 Mr. Wilcox had the honor of being elected to the State Legislature. and three years afterward was elected Justice of the Peace, serving in that capacity for fifteen years. He was one of the first members of the Board of County Supervisors, acting as Chairman, and also served as Sheriff of Des Moines County, In earlier life a Whig, at the organization of the Republican party he joined that body. On the 18th of April, 1832, Mr. Wilcox was united in marriage with Miss Maria Johnson, daughter of Samuel Johnson. She was a native of Addison County, VT. When the Rebellion broke out in 1861, he was one of the first to offer his services in defense of the Union, enlisting in May. 1861, in Company K. 33d Illinois Infantry. After serving three years, the Rebellion still not ended, he again enlisted, and served until the close of the war. Mrs. Wilcox died in 1844 and in 1845 Mr. Wilcox married Miss Harriet Eliza Weeks, a daughter of John M. Weeks, of Salisbury, Vt. With the exception of the time spent at Nauvoo, Mr. Wilcox has been a resident of Iowa for more than a half-century, forty-seven years of which time he has been a citizen of Des Moines County. Mr. Wilcox is liberal, not being identified with any church, though he was reared under the religious instruction of the Congregational Church. As a pioneer, as a citizen, one who loves his country and his fellowmen, Mr. Wilcox enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him.