Transcribed from E.F. Hollibaugh's Biographical history of Cloud County, Kansas biographies of representative citizens. Illustrated with portraits of prominent people, cuts of homes, stock, etc. [n.p., 1903] 919p. illus., ports. 28 cm. Scanned from a copy held by the State Library of Kansas.
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G. C. WILSON.

GROCERY ESTABLISHMENT OF G. C. WILSON.THE UP-TO-DATE GROCERY ESTABLISHMENT OF G. C. WILSON.

There are several first-class grocery houses in Concordia, and in referring to the best of them the well-arranged store of G.C. Wilson would be included as one in the foremost rank. His methods of doing business entitle him to a place among the most progressive, as his industry, perseverance and superior qualities have placed him in line with men of good citizenship. Mr. Wilson succeeded C.A. Betournay in the grocery business in the spring of 1900.

Mr. Wilson has been a resident in the state since 1884. He accepted a clerkship at Kirwin, Kansas, and six years later he entered the grocery department of H.C. Annan, of Beloit, as manager, and the length of time he was retained by Mr. Annan - seven years - is emphatic evidence of his reliability. But our subject was not satisfied to continue as an employe and established a business of his own. He purchased the J.J. Abercrombie stock, which he sold back to its former owner six months later and became proprietor of the Hugh Gants grocery. One and one-half years later he disposed of this stock, removed to Kensington, Kansas, and engaged in general merchandising. After locating at the last named place Mr. Wilson's health became impaired and, selling his interests in that town, he returned to Kirwin in 1889. Although it is said "every move is equal to two fires," Mr. Wilson, owing to various circumstances, made several changes, but it remained for him to find a greater field, such as Concordia afforded, and where, from the very start, he proceeded to establish a reputation for enterprise and fair dealing. He carries a full line of staple and fancy groceries and conducts a first-class bakery in connection which receives a large patronage. In this busy store five men are employed. A brother, Theodore L., a practical baker, is in charge of the bakery and has filled that position for one and one-half years. James Edward, another brother, is learning the trade with him.

Mr. Wilson's father, Peter Wilson, was of Scotch birth. He emigrated to the state of New York when quite young and lived there until his death in 1893. Mr. Wilson's mother was of German birth. She died in 1873. There were seven sons and two daughters in his father's family, all of whom lived to maturity. A sister died in 1894 and a brother in the spring of the present year (1903).

Mr. Wilson's family consists of his wife, one daughter and two sons: Bernice, Lynn and Karl Marx. They occupy one of the pleasant and desirable cottage homes on West Sixth street. Politically Mr. Wilson affiliates with the Republican party and socially he is a Woodman, a Maccabee and a member of the Sons and Daughters of Justice.

Mr. Wilson is entirely self-made, he has worked hard, attended strictly to business affairs, is kind, courteous and obliging, upright in all his dealings - qualities that are always winners, and our subject is no exception to the rule.