An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The
Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 303-307
	
	ALFRED G. WILSON, manager of the Western Revenues, Loan and Investment
Company, of Spokane, was born in western Pennsylvania, in 1830, the second of
four children born to William F. and Sarah J. (Hitchcock) Wilson, natives of
Ohio. The father was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church for fifty
years, preaching in Ohio and Pennsylvania, where he was well-known and prominent
in church affairs. He was the founder of Methodism in that Territory, served as
Presiding Elder, and his death occurred in 1890. The mother still resides in
northern Ohio. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of
Connecticut, but removed to Trumbull county, Ohio, in an early day. He had five
sons, all of whom became ministers of the Methodist Church. The maternal
grand-father, James Hitchcock, a native of Massachusetts, came West in an early
day, and was a minister of the Methodist Church.
	Alfred G. Wilson, our subject, was educated at Mt. Union, Ohio, and also in
the Drew Theological Seminary, at Madison. In 1876 he began preaching in the
Methodist Church, at Brocton, New York, where he remained one year: at Fairview,
Pennsylvania, one year; Glencoe, Minnesota, three years; Red Wing, that State,
two years; Cleveland, Ohio, on Euclid avenue, two years; then at St. Paul,
Minnesota; again at Glencoe two years; and then came to Spokane, Washington,
where he was pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church two years. Having
for some time entertained views not in strict harmony with what is taught in the
Methodist Church, Mr. Wilson accepted a call to the First Unitarian Church of
Spokane, where he remained two years, and then, wishing a respite from his long
ministerial work, he accepted his present position. With the valuable aid of our
subject the religious work of this city has greatly prospered. Not only has he
been a strong worker for the interest of his own church, but everything which
could improve the moral and religions condition of the classes received his
hearty co-operation. Mr. Wilson has also completed literary work, and for two
years was editor of the Advance and Republican, of Red Wing. In addition to his
other interests he owns a home at Ross Park and other city property. He is
Secretary of the South Bonanza Mining Company, and also owns mines in
Washington.
	Mr. Wilson was married in 1876, to Miss Carrie E. Ensign, who was a native
of Forestville, New York, and who died in 1879. She left one child, Mead, who
died at the age of six years. In 1881 our subject was united in marriage to Miss
Salome Gardner, a native of Cleveland, Ohio. They have three. children; Royal
G., Florence and Edna. Politically, Mr. Wilson affiliates with the Republican
party, and socially is a member of the Masonic order and Knights of Pythias. His
investments in Spokane have been very profitable, and he has great faith in the
future growth and prosperity of this city.
	
Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in September 2003 by Jeffrey L. Elmer
	
	
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