James M. Wilson, president of the J.M. Wilson Corp., underwriters of Kalamazoo, and also of the James M. Wilson Agency, Inc., conducting a general insurance business in the American Natl. Bank Bldg., was born in Bloomingdale MI June 17, 1893, a son of Charles S. and Matie A. (McMeekan) WIlson, who were also natives of Bloomingdale. The mother now resides in Kalamazoo, but the father died in April 1920. He was a real estate dealer and horse breeder who specialized in raising both Belgian and French draft horses. He aalso owned and cultivated several farms and likewise was a lumberman of Bloomingdale until 1909 when he removed to Kalamazoo.

In the acquirement of his education James M. Wilson attended the Bloomingdale and Kalamazoo high schools and Parsons Business College of Kalamazoo. In 1912 he became a member of the Michigan Natl. Guard and in April 1917, joined the regular army, being commissioned a second lieutenant at Waco, TX on 31 October 1917. On the 1st of Feb. 1918 he sailed for France, where he arrived May 22nd with the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Inf. of which he was scout officer. He was advanced to the rank of first lieutenant on September 5, 1918, and was commissioned captain in March 1919. On the 10th of June he was retired on account of physical disability. He had been wounded on the 8th of July 1918 and gain on the 8th of September and the 15th of October 1918. He as awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, August 14, 1918; the French Legion of Honor, November 11, 1918; the Croix de Guerre with Palm, November 11, 1918 and on the same day the Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star. On the 1st of May 1919 he received a special citation for bravery in action from John J. Pershing, commander-in-chief and on the 11of November 1932 was accorded the Purple Heart with Three Oak Leaves. While in active service he was gassed.

Following the close of his military experience Mr. Wilson returned to Kalamazoo and here opened an insurance agency in 1919. He has since carried on the busienss which is now conducted under the name of James M. Wilson Agency, Inc. as a local agency, while the J.M. Wilson Corp. is a general agency. He employs 31 people and has a branch office in Detroit and Grand Rapids. On the 17th of APril 1920 he married Margaret I. Hoag daughter of Fred & May (Newton) Hoag, natives of Kalamazoo, the father now being with the General Gas Light Co. of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have three children; James M. Jr. born March 17, 1821; Paul C., born April 20, 1923; and Beverly Jean born March 15, 1929.

A stanch Republican, Mr. Wilson was elected tot he House of Representatives in 1928 and was re-elected in 1930, 1932 and 9134, thus serving for four terms in the General Assembly. For 10 years he has been a delegate to the state conventions of his party, and has served on the county central committee. He belongs to the Loyal Order of Moose and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he was the first commander of Joseph B. Westnedge Post of the American Legion, serving for two terms.He has in his possession the discharge papers of his grandfather, George S. Wilson, whos erved htorughout the Civil War as a supporter of the Union cause. Mr. Wilson belongs to the Park Club and the Kalamazoo Country Club and his religious belief is that of Christian Science. He makes his home at 2207 S. Westnedge Ave and in hours of leisure enjoys hunting, fishing and golf. His business, however, is his first consideration and he extends his inerests in general insurance to all parts of the State.