Hugh E. Wilson, a well know member of the Grand Rapids bar, was born in Ionia county, Mich., October 17, 1867, a son of Henry J. and Helen (Moseman) Wilson, parents of seven children five of whom attained the years of maturity, viz: Alice, wife of Lee M. Hutchins, secretary and treasurer of the Hazeltine & Perkins Drug company; Charles M. of the law firm of More & Wilson; William K., a grocer of Ionia; Hugh E. the subject of this biographical notice, and Gilbert W., a railroad employee. Henry J. Wilson, the father of this family, was a member of the firm of Page & Wilson, prominent bankers and merchants (Handling chiefly grain in their mercantile transactions). And in politics Mr. Wilson was a democrat. He was untimely called away April 22, 1879, and his widow is now a resident of Grand Rapids, a most highly respected lady.

Hugh E. Wilson graduated from Ionia high school in 1885, after which he took a two year literary course at Wooster university, Ohio. He then came to Grand Rapids, passed two and a half years in the law office of Taggart & Denison, and in the fall of 1890 was admitted to the bar at Ionia. He further advanced his legal studies by attending the university at Ann Arbor for one year, and was graduated there in 1891 with the degree of LL. B. He then entered the office of Judge Champlin, in Grand Rapids, and there continued adding to his legal lore until December, 1892, when he formed a partnership with Judge Reuben Hatch, now so well known in the legal circles of the city. Mr. Wilson is secretary and treasurer of the Mueller & Slack Manufacturing company, and has held this double office ever since the organization of this well known furniture company. He is a democrat in politics, and fraternally is a Knight of Pythias. Socially he is quite a favorite, but his attention is almost wholly absorbed in his professional duties.