Eugene McLanahan Wilson

Eugene McLanahan Wilson (December 25, 1833 – April 10, 1890) was an American lawyer and Democratic politician who served in various legal and political offices in Minnesota including as a member of Congress and as the fifth and seventh mayor of Minneapolis.

Early life Wilson was born in Morgantown, Monongalia County, Virginia (now West Virginia) on December 25, 1833. His father Edgar C. Wilson had been a lawyer and US representative from Virginia (as had his grandfather Thomas Wilson). On his mother's side he was the great-grandson of Isaac Griffin, also a longtime US Representative from Pennsylvania. He attended school in Morgantown and graduated from Jefferson College in 1852. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1855 and relocated to Minnesota shortly thereafter.

Career

Wilson worked in Winona, Minnesota for several years in a law practice with former classmate William B. Mitchell. In 1857 he was named United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota and relocated to Minneapolis. During the Civil War Wilson served in the Union Army as captain of Company A in the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. The regiment was primarily involved with the Dakota War of 1862. The second time was in 1888. He would win the Democratic nomination, but would lose the election. Wilson would disavow the previously Democratic-aligned Knights of Labor. Wilson would be described as "the Candidate for the Monopolistic Bosses."

Wilson remained active in social as well as political affairs in Minnesota. He was twice president of the Minneapolis Club, in 1886 and 1890.

Personal life Wilson married Elizabeth Kimball, daughter of Colonel William M. Kimball, of Minneapolis on October 6, 1865. Together, they had four children. He was buried in Lakewood Cemetery.

Electoral history Minneapolis Mayoral Election, 1872 Eugene McLanahan Wilson 2,208 Dorilus Morrison 1,534 Minneapolis Mayoral Election, 1874 Eugene McLanahan Wilson 2,533 George A. Brackett 2,147 John H. Thompson 415