George W. Wilson
Hon. George W. Wilson, third son of Washington and Mary Wilson, was born in Clark county, February 22, 1840; attended the common schools and three years a student at Antioch College; enlisted in 94th regiment, August, '62; was elected and commissioned second and afterwards first lieutenant in same regiment; July, '64, received commission from the President as first lieutenant in the first regiment of United States Veteran Volunteer Engieers, and was afterwards appointed Captain in same regiment, but his commission came too late for him to be mustered in; was mustered out September 26, 1865.
Was admitted to the bar August, '66, and has practiced law ever since in Madison and other counties of the State. He was also admitted by the Supreme Court of the United States to practice in the U.S. courts. In October, 1866, elected Prosecuting Attorney of Madison county for two years, and re-elected; October, 1871, was elected as a Republican, to the House of Representatives of the General Assembly; and October, 1877, was elected a member of the Ohio Senate from the eleventh district; in 1892, he was elected member of the House of Representatives in the 53d Congress, from the district composed of the counties of Miami, Clark, Fayette, Madison and Pickaway, being then the seventh congressional district; and he was thereafter elected for a succeeding term, and served altogether four years; was a member of the Republican National Convention at St. Louis, June, 1896, which nominated William McKinley for President; Mr. Wilson was chosen by the Ohio delegation a member of the committee on Rules and Order of Business in that convention.
Mr. Wilson has had an eventful life, and discharged his duties ot the satisfaction of his constituencies, and with credit to himself. His home life has been exemplary and his social and family relations pleasant. He now resides with his family in the suburbs of London, and still practices law; and for diversion and the benefit of his health, engages in agriculture in a small way.
From Madison Democrat 50th Anniversary - Published by the Madison Democrat, 1908
George W. Wilson, of the law firm of Wilson & Durflinger, London, was born at Brighton, Clark Co., Ohio, February 22, 1840. He is the third son of Washington and Mary A. Wilson. His parents are natives of Ohio, and now reside in Springfield. Washington Wilson is a retired farmer of considerable wealth, and highly respected by all who know him. He is a son of Michael Wilson (deceased), who was a brother of Valentine Wilson (deceased), late of Madison County. Mary A. Wilson is a daughter of William Foreman (deceased), late of Clark County, Ohio. Washington and Mary A. Wilson had eleven children, named, respectively, Michael, William J., George W., Harrison, John, Addison, Nancy T., Luther, Harriet F., Mary A. and Flora Etta, all of whom are living, except Luther. George W. Wilson, the subject of this sketch, was brought up on his father's farm until he was eighteen years of age, when he was sent to Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio, where he remained three years. During this time, that institution was presided over by Horace Mann, and after his death by Dr. Thomas Hill, subsequently President of Harvard College. In the year 1861, Mr. Wilson commenced the study of law in the office of Hon. R. A. Harrison, of London. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the Ninety-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was afterward commissioned respectively Second and First Lieutenant in the regiment. On the 2d of July, 1864, he received a commission from the President as First Lieutenant in the First Regiment of United States Veteran Volunteer Engineers, the only organization of the kind in the service. About the close of the war, he was appointed Captain of Company L, of that regiment, but never received the emoluments of that rank. He was mustered out of the army about October 1, 1865, the services of his regiment being no longer required. After the war. Mr. Wilson resumed his studies in the office of his preceptor, and was admitted to the bar on August 7, 1866. In the October following, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Madison County for a term of two years. At the expiration of his term, he was re-elected to the same office for another term. In October, 1871, he was elected to the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of Ohio, and served in that body two years. In October, 1877, he was elected a member of the Ohio Senate from the district composed of the counties of Champaign, Clark and Madison. He has also held several minor offices of honor and trust. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Wilson has always been a Republican, believing that by means of that party, the best interests of the country would be promoted and preserved. He is a successful lawyer, the firm of Wilson & Durflinger enjoying a large practice, and no member of the legal profession has a better standing at the Madison County bar than the subject of this sketch. Before going to the army, Mr. Wilson was married to Miss Martha L. Rice, of Yellow Springs, Ohio. They have three children—Bertha J., William R. and Fannie. Miss Bertha J. was recently married to Palmer C. Smith, Prosecuting Attorney of Madison County. Mr. Wilson has a pleasant home, and, while devoted to his profession, takes time for social intercourse with his friends and neighbors.
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY - W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]