Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

ties and today is among the highly re-
spected citizens of the city of Norwalk.
The first of the Wilson family in Amer-
ica was David Wilson, grandfather of
William K. Wison, who was born about
1803, in Londonderry, Ireland, and died
in Newark, New Jersey. By occupation
he was a hatter, and after coming to the
United States opened his own hat factory
in Newark. He married, about 1823,
Catherine Ferguson, daughter of James
Ferguson, of Londonderry, and she died
in Newark. They were the parents of the
following children : Jane, Samuel, James,
David (2), of whom further; Kathrine,
Caldwell, and Maggie.
David (2) Wilson, son of David (1)
Wilson, the immigrant ancestor, and fa-
ter of William K. Wilson, was born in
Newark, New Jersey, and died in Orange,
that State. He attended the public
schools, and at an early age learned the
hatter's trade. After serving his apprenticeship
he entered business on his own
account, making a specialty of the manufacture
of fur felt hats. Mr. Wilson was
a Republican in politics and always took
an active interest in public matters. He
served as a member of the Common
Council for several terms in Orange. He
was a member of Union Lodge, Free and
Accepted Masons, of Orange, and of sev-
eral other fraternal orders.
Mr. Wilson married Abbie Ann Williams,
daughter of William Brown Williams,
a native of Orange. The latter was
a shoemaker by trade, and also for many
years conducted a gristmill. In connection
with his occupation of miller he had
a farm. The Williams family were early
settlers in Orange, and were for genera-
tions among the prominent citizens there.
William Keen Wilson, son of David (2)
and Abbie Ann (Williams) Wilson, was
born in Orange, New Jersey, June 10,
1863, and was educated in the public
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
127
schools there, as were his forefathers be-
fore him. He learned the trade of hatter
soon after completing his schooling.
Until 1890 he worked in Orange as a
journeyman, then went to Danbury,
where he spent ten years as foreman in
one of the hat factories there. His next
employment was with the Green Com-
pany, in the capacity of superintendent,
and in 1912 he removed to Baltimore,
where he had a business of his own. Mr.
Wilson was one of the organizers of the
Hodshon, Middlekaul Company, manu-
facturers of felt hats. After three years
with the latter company, he went to
Haverhill, Massachusetts, and for a year
was superintendent of a plant there. Returning
again to Norwalk, Mr. Wilson
became superintendent of the R. & W.
Hat Company, which position he now
fills in a most capable manner, having
about one hundred and fifty employees
under him.
Mr. Wilson is a great lover of Freemasonry,
to which he has devoted much
time, energy and talent. He is attached
to the order in all its extended branches
for its truths, principles, and symbolisms,
as well as for the social and fraternal fea-
tures it develops and fosters. By nature
he is genial and social, enjoying the companionship
of friends, possessing good
judgment and the peculiar faculty of en-
forcing discipline without being autocratic,
thereby retaining the esteem and
confidence of those with whom he comes
in contact, either in his business or social
relations. As a ritualist he took high
rank, rendering Masonic work with absolute
accuracy and in a manner that made
a lasting impression upon candidates
seeking light. He is a member of Union
Lodge, No. 40, Free and Accepted Ma-
sons, of Danbury, of which he is past
master ; Eureka Chapter, No. 23, Royal
Arch Masons, of which he is past high