David Leonidas
Wilson
The grandfather of David L.
Wilson was David Wilson, a native of Kentucky. He moved to Rush
County, Ind., in 1824, where he lived
until 1858. He then moved to Shelby County and settled in Union Township. In 1865, he came to Shelbyville,
where he resided until his death which occurred in the summer of 1867. The father of David L. Wilson ---
John W. Wilson --- was born in Rush County, Ind., in 1825, where he grew
to manhood. In 1846, he was married to Miss
Martha A. Mauzy, daughter
of Peter and Sarah
(Gooding) Mauzy, natives of Kentucky,
who settled in Rush County in 1829. Mrs. Wilson was born in Kentucky in 1828. They have reared a large family,
to-wit --- ten children, of whom David L., the subject of this sketch is the second. John W. Wilson, after marriage,
settled in Laurel, Franklin County, Ind., where he engaged in the harness trade until 1849, when he moved to Shelby
County, and settled in the southern part of Addison Township, where he has since devoted his attention to farming.
Here, on the farm, David L. Wilson was born, January 34 [sic], 1850. He was raised on the farm, assisting
his father in tilling the soil until his twenty-first year, at which time he entered Hartsville University, in
Bartholomew County, Ind. He spent three years in college life, during all of which time he strove to attain the
first position in his classes. By his untiring efforts and courteous treatment of others, he always enjoyed
the confidence and respect of his fellow-students, and it was with great reluctance that the Faculty saw him quit
the college, when but one term more was necessary for him to graduate with high honor. He taught five winter
terms of school in all, giving entire satisfaction, and in 1874, he entered the law office of Hord & Blair,
where he remained until the spring of 1877, teaching school in the winter season for the purpose of paying his
expenses while a student. On the 5th day of March, 1877, the day of the inauguration of
Rutherford B. Hayes
as President of the United States, "he swung out his shingle" as an attorney at law, and since that time
he has been actively engaged in the practice of his chosen profession. Politically, he is a Republican, and
was nominated in 1878, by that party for Prosecuting Attorney of the Sixteenth Judicial District.
The District
being strongly Democratic he was defeated, although he greatly reduced the majority, and even carried John County
by a small majority.
He is a close student, and is always to be found about his office. Among the people, he is known as an honest
and upright young man. Among the attorneys, his reputation for fair dealing and honorable practice in his
profession, is established. He was elected Mayor of Shelbyville in 1885 and served one term. June 11, 1885,
he married Mary
C.
Jonas, who has borne him one
child named Irene. He is a member of the F.&A.M., and K.of P. fraternities.
History of Shelby County, Indiana, "Shelbyville
Sketches," Chicago: Brant & Fuller, 1887, pages 547-548.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
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