| Notes |
- . 1868 Sep 7, Winona Conference, We learn from Gen. Dennison that Hubbard Donnelley conference, progressed little by-play with no practical results. Mr. Donnelly had met en Hubbard & selected disinterested man from the First District as his referees … they named men of their choice. Mark Wilson, an intense Donnelly man, formerly residing in Hastings, now in Winona.
Ref: St. Paul Daily Press, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Mark Willson, only son of John I. Willson, was born in 1818. In early life he engaged in the mercantile business at Sugar Grove, & was successful, as a merchant. He possessed the confidence of the community in which he resided, & was regarded as a man of strict integrity & good judgment.
He was elected to the office of justice of the peace when he was only 21 years old, & was continued in the office by re-election for a period of 25 years or over. He also filled the office of postmaster several years, & was often called to fill various other local offices, which was always done with credit to himself & satisfaction to the public. Mr. Willson was a public-spirited citizen, & always ready & willing to aid in every public enterprise, contributing his full share in both time & money. He did much to improve the village by the erection of buildings of his own, & by aiding & encouraging others to do the same.
Although not a member of any church organization, he was ever ready to aid in the support of all when called upon. In politics he was a Republican, & often represented his town & village in the county conventions of his party; & while firm in his political opinions, he was always courteous toward those whose politics differed from his.
In 1853 he married Elizabeth T. Hallock of Milton, Ulster county, NY.
He has 4 children - 2 sons & 2 daughters - all of whom are married except the youngest son, John I. Willson, who is employed in the Merchants' Bank. Disposing of his property in Sugar Grove in 1863, Mark Willson removed with his family to Hastings, Minn., & continued in the mercantile business for 3 years, during a part of the time filling the office of mayor of that thriving city, & in 1866 removed to Winona, Minn., where he has been since continuously successfully engaged in the banking business, & has for many years filled the position of president of the Merchants' Bank of Winona.
James Elliott, brother of Mrs. John I. Willson, was the first person buried in the village cemetery at Sugar Grove - not far from the year 1820.
Ref: History of Warren Co., Penn., 1887.
Biography
MARK WILLSON is President of the Merchants' Bank of Winona, & one of the
leading financiers of Winona County. His connection with the banking interests of this community has continued since 1868, & the institution of which he is now the head has become one of the solid financial concerns of the city. Mr. Willson is a native of Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, born February 27, 1820, & is the only son of John I. & Mary Willson. His parents removed to western Pennsylvania in 1824, locating at Sugar Grove, Warren County, where they spent their remaining days. The family there lived until 1868.
Mark Willson was reared in his father's home, & on entering upon a business career embarked in merchandising, which he followed in the Keystone State until 1863. He has also been prominently connected with political affairs, & has ever discharged his duties with a promptness & fidelity which have won for him the commendation of all concerned. On attaining his majority he was elected Justice of the Peace, which position he filled for the long period of 25 years. He also served as Postmaster & in other offices, & was ever true & faithful to the trust reposed in him. His loyalty to friends & to public trust is one of his chief characteristics.
. 1853 Mr. Willson was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Hallock, of New York City. Ten years later he severed his business connections in the East, & sought a home in Minnesota, going first to Hastings, where he had friends living.
There he opened a mercantile establishment & carried on business for 3 years. During that time he served as Mayor of Hastings for one year.
. 1866 he brought his family to Winona, where they have since resided, being numbered among the prominent citizens of the community. Here Mr. Willson carried on a dry-goods store for 2 years, when, in 1868, he disposed of his business & became connected with banking interests. He took an active part in the organization of the Second National Bank, which began business April
29, 1871, with a capital stock of $100,000. He was elected a Director, & in October was made Assistant Cashier, which office he filled until January, 1873, when he was elected Vice-President. In January 1875, he resigned that position & aided in the organization, on the 18 May xx of the Merchants' National Bank of Winona, of which he became President & also member of the Board of Directors. On the 1st of July, 1879 It was voted to change the organization from a national to a state bank, under the laws of Minnesota, & to transfer its entire business to the new organization. The Merchants' Bank of Winona sprang into existence in August, 1879, & Mr. Willson has since been its President. The success of the institution is largely due to his untiring efforts.
In his political views Mr. Willson is a stanch Republican, having supported the principles of his party since its organization. He is an exemplary & public spirited man, in whom the best interests of the community find a friend. His success in business is owing to careful attention to all details, diligence & enterprise, & his prosperity is well deserved.
Ref: Portrait & Biographical of Winona County, Minnesota, 1895.
. 1871 Apr 29, Second National Bank, Winona, capital of $100,000. Incorporators T Simpsons, J & H Prentis, Mark Willson -who was elected asst. cashier, Jan 1873-1875, vice-president. 2nd Nat. Bank was succeed by:
. 1875 May 18, Merchants National Bank of Winona, capital stock $100,00, MW elected director & president.
Ref: History of Winona County, 1883
. 1880 Jun 10 Census, Winona, Minnesota
Willson, Mark, age 63, b 1817 Canada
Willson, Elizabeth, 47, b 1833 New York
Willson, Leslie, male, age 32, 1848, Penn.
Willson, Mary A, 25, b 1855 Penn.
Willson, Catherine, 22, b 1858, Penn.
Willson, John I, 15, b. 1865, Minnesota
Willson, Eliza, sister, age 60, b 1820, Canada, single. - - -
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1820 - 1900 (80 years)