Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Vol. 3.
Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 123.

WILLIAM ENSIGN WILSON

     A business man of broad experience, keen sagacity and enterprising spirit,
William Ensign Wilson aided in shaping Salem's industrial development and firmly
wrought himself into the fabric of the city's life, exerting a strong influence
for good in his community. He was born November 8, 1862, in the state of
Michigan and his parents, William and Catherine (Hill) Wilson, were natives of
Canada. They went to Iowa during his childhood and he was reared on his father's
farm. At an early age Mr. Wilson began to provide for his own livelihood and for
several years worked for a Des Moines book firm, of which Norton Lathrop was the
executive head. Conscientious, dependable and efficient, Mr. Wilson was advanced
to the position of traveling salesman and for some time represented the firm in
Iowa. Locating in Ruthven, that state, he opened a drug store and soon
demonstrated his ability to manage a business of his own. He next went to
Colorado and for a considerable period was engaged in mining near Boulder. In
1909 he came to Oregon and in January, 1910, purchased the business of the old
Murphy Tile Company in partnership with Charles 0. Constable and Otto Hansen. A
corporation was formed and Mr. Wilson eventually became the owner of most of the
stock in the concern, which he operated in association with Francis E. Neer,
conducting the business under the style of the Salem Brick & Tile Company. He
served as president until his death on March 29, 1927, and under his progressive
administration the industry made notable strides. He closely supervised every
detail of the work and maintained a high standard of production.
     In 1886 Mr. Wilson was married in Des Moines, Iowa, to Miss Jessie I.
McGrew, who was born in Stryker, Ohio, and remained at home until her marriage.
Her parents were Nathan B. and Lois Anna (Hickok) McGrew, natives respectively
of Ohio and Vermont. Mrs. Wilson is of Irish lineage and her grandmother in the
paternal life was related to the Smiths of Virginia. Nathan B. McGrew was a
wagonmaker and removed from Ohio to Des Moines, Iowa, when his daughter, Jessie
I., was a young girl of thirteen. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were born three
children. Lois Catherine, the eldest, who was graduated from the Salem high
school and the Oregon Agricultural College, was married to Francis E. Neer, by
whom she had two children, the first born being deceased and the other is
Natalie Ann. Mildred Marie Wilson, the second daughter, is a graduate of the
same educational institutions which her sister attended and has become the wife
of J. C. Leedy, who is filling the office of county agent and resides in
Roseburg, Oregon. They are the parents of three children: William Clark, Ralph
Gordon and James Donald. Ralph Ensign Wilson, the next in order of birth, who
completed a course in the Salem high school and was graduated from the naval
academy at Annapolis, Maryland, is now a lieutenant in the United States Navy
and is stationed at Honolulu, Hawaii. He married Miss Martha E. Powell and they
have one child, Ralph E., Jr.
     Mr. Wilson was a Mason and also had fraternal connections with the Woodmen
of the World and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, while politically he
was an adherent of the democratic party. He shaped his conduct by the teachings
of the First Congregational church and was a devoted husband and father, a
steadfast friend, a business man of high standing, and a good citizen. Honor was
the keystone of his character and his passing was the occasion of deep and
widespread regret. His widow is now the heaviest stockholder in the Salem Brick
& Tile Company and her associates in the business are Francis E. Neer, her
son-in-law, and C. A. Warner. Mrs. Wilson resides in the family home at No. 1237
Court street and is highly esteemed by all who have been brought within the
sphere of her influence.
     
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2011 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.