George H. Wilson Papers (DeKalb)

George Haywood Wilson was pastor of the First Congregational Church of DeKalb (RC 17) from 1900 to 1909. While in this position he conducted a pre-nuptial program for engaged couples and was active in the Anti-Saloon League. While involved in the League he organized anti-liquor license committees throughout the county. Before coming to DeKalb, Rev. Wilson held the pastorates at the Congregational Church in Biddeford, Maine, for five years; Congregational Church at Ossowo, Michigan, for five years; the Hinsdale Union Church, Illinois, for nine years; and at Paxton, Illinois, for five years. He served on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Home Missionary Society, sponsored by the Congregational denomination, for a number of years. After leaving DeKalb, Reverend Wilson continued his ministry in Compton, California. Reverend Wilson was born in Massachusetts on August 20, 1852. He married Harriet Elizabeth Knight, also of Massachusetts, in 1878. They had six children; Albert, Wendall, George, Sarah, Carrie, and Harriet. Albert and Carrie died in childhood. His daughter, Harriet Wilson Davy of DeKalb wrote Oxen to Jets, a history of DeKalb County (RC 3) for the U.S. Bicentennial. After leaving his ministry in California, Reverend Wilson moved to Evanston, Illinois, and later back to DeKalb. He died in DeKalb on June 11, 1924.

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