ALEXANDER
WILSON, who has been actively identified with the business interests
of La Fayette for many years, was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania,
fifty miles south of Pittsburgh, March 17, 1819. His parents, DR.
JOHN and SOPHIA (KRAMER) WILSON, were both natives of the State of Pennsylvania,
the father born in Fayette County, and the mother in Greene County.
Our subject was quite young when his father died, and he was then reared
by an uncle in Fayette County. In 1837 he came to Indianapolis, Indiana,
where he clerked in a store, and acted as agent for the paper-mill of his
cousin, DANIEL YANDES. He came to La Fayette, Tippecanoe County,
in 1841. After coming to LaFayette he established the paper-mills
between the canal and the river, just below the site of the present South
Street Depot, the name of the first firm being Barbee & Yandes, which
was afterward changed to Hanna, Yandes & Wilson. MR. WILSON was
engaged in the manufacture of paper at this point until 1856, when he sold
his interest, and bought an interest in the book-bindery and printing establishment,
which was conducted under the firm name of Luse & Wilson for several
years. This firm also published the La Fayette Journal, and also
did an extensive business in blank books, manufacturing the same for many
States in the west and southwest. MR. WILSON sold out to MR. LUSE
about 1861, and then carried on the book business until 1870, when he engaged
in the banking business under the firm name of Wilson & Hanna, which
he has since followed with success. His son, JOSEPH, is the present
cashier of the bank.
Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana,
pp. 514-517
Lewis Publishing Company, 113 Adams Street, Chicago, 1888
Volunteer: Charlene Saunders
© 2002 Tippecanoe Co., Indiana Biographies
Project
All rights reserved