Wilson C. Edsell
Encyclopedia
Wilson Canfield Edsell served in the Michigan Senate
, representing Allegan County
, in 1865–1866, 1877–1878, and 1881–1882.
Edsell was the son of Jesse Edsell and Polly Canfield. He was born in Pike, Pennsylvania
on July 8, 1814 and raised on a farm attending common (public) schools. In 1835, he enrolled at Oberlin College
and helped found Olivet College
in 1843. He served the college as a trustee, secretary, and treasurer for six years before settling in Otsego, Michigan
in 1849. He made his living there as a lawyer, justice, and Michigan Asylum trustee. His party affiliation was Republican
initially, but later converted to the Prohibitionist party.
Edsell was the founder of the first National Bank in Otsego, as well as the sole contributor to the construction and provision of the town's Opera House. He died August 12, 1900 at Otsego, Michigan
.
Michigan Senate
The Michigan Senate is the upper house of the Michigan Legislature. The Senate consists of 38 members, who are elected from constituencies having approximately 212,400 to 263,500 residents....
, representing Allegan County
Allegan County, Michigan
-Interstates:* I-196* I-196 Business Loop serves the city of Holland.-US highways:* US-31* US-131-Michigan State Trunklines:* M-40* M-89* M-179* M-222-Allegan County Intercounty Highways:* A-2* A-37* A-42* A-45-Demographics:...
, in 1865–1866, 1877–1878, and 1881–1882.
Edsell was the son of Jesse Edsell and Polly Canfield. He was born in Pike, Pennsylvania
Pike Township, Bradford County, Pennsylvania
Pike Township is a township in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 657 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 28.8 square miles , of which, 28.7 square miles of it is land and...
on July 8, 1814 and raised on a farm attending common (public) schools. In 1835, he enrolled at Oberlin College
Oberlin College
Oberlin College is a private liberal arts college in Oberlin, Ohio, noteworthy for having been the first American institution of higher learning to regularly admit female and black students. Connected to the college is the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the oldest continuously operating...
and helped found Olivet College
Olivet College
Olivet College is a coeducational, liberal arts college located in Olivet, Michigan, United States, south of Lansing and west of Detroit. It is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, and accredited by the North Central...
in 1843. He served the college as a trustee, secretary, and treasurer for six years before settling in Otsego, Michigan
Otsego, Michigan
Otsego is a city in Allegan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,934 at the 2000 census. The city is within Otsego Township, but is administratively autonomous....
in 1849. He made his living there as a lawyer, justice, and Michigan Asylum trustee. His party affiliation was Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
initially, but later converted to the Prohibitionist party.
Edsell was the founder of the first National Bank in Otsego, as well as the sole contributor to the construction and provision of the town's Opera House. He died August 12, 1900 at Otsego, Michigan
Otsego, Michigan
Otsego is a city in Allegan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,934 at the 2000 census. The city is within Otsego Township, but is administratively autonomous....
.