Captain D. W. Wilson
Captain D.W. Wilson, one of Bellville's leading and enterprising citizens, always takes an interest in anything that promises to be a benefit to the community. He was one of the first to volunteer when troops were called for at the beginning of the Civil War, and at the close of his term of service, re-enlisted for three years and was in the service --[illegible]-- months -- from the beginning of the war to its close -- and returned as the captain of his company, with the goodwill and confidence of his men. The captain assisted in rebuilding the "burnt district" in Bellville, putting up four of the twelve fine store rooms that line the west side of Main Street in the business part of town. He has been president of the successful free street fairs for which Bellville has been noted, and is often selected to preside at army reunions and Fourth of July celebrations. He is president of the Bellville Society, which annually picnics at the Sherman-Heinman park and is also president of the Miller Moody company association. The captain was for over thirty-five years an officer in the government service at Washington, and has been influential in politics for many years. He has often been a delegate to county, judicial, senatorial and state conventions, and in 1876 was elected to represent this congressional district as a delegate to the National convention at Cincinnati that nominated President Hayes. He is a loyal friend, liberal and generous, and never forgets a kindness.
From The Bellville Messenger, May 28, 1903