Emery Family - Person Sheet
NameThomas Edward Wilder 
Birth15 Aug 1855, Lancaster, MA
Death22 Aug 1919
OccupationTanning, wholesale leather
EducationWorcester Polytechnic Institute (B.S., 1874)
ReligionUnitarian
FatherCharles Lewis Wilder
MotherHarriet Ellen Harris
Misc. Notes
His business grew into the Chicago Rawhide Company (partner with Wm. H. Emery).
Came to Chicago in 1875.
See http://www.hauntdetective.com/hauntings-legends-fo...f-the-wilder-mansion
“After the death of Mrs. King in 1901, the estate was sold to Mrs. Henry Gorden Selfridge, and later was purchased in 1905 by Thomas E. Wilder. Wilder renamed the estate "Lancaster Lodge," after his original home in Lancaster, Massachusetts.”
See also Chicago: Its History and Its Builders, a Century of Marvelous Growth, Volume 4, by Josiah Seymour Currey, p. 652.
From Leather & Shoes, Volume 58 (Rumpf Pub. Division, Nickelson & Collins Pub., 1919)
T. EDWARD WILDER PASSES AWAY
Thomas Edward Wilder died at Lancaster Lodge, his Elmhurst (Ills.) residence, August 22, after an illness of foyur months. Born August 15, 1855, at Lancaster, Mass., of old New England Stock, he lived sixty-four years of intense progress and service. His early years were spent upon the farm and he graduated from the Worcester Polytechnical Institute in 1874 with the degree of B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. The following year he came to Chicago and entered the leather business in the employ of Walter Oakley & Company. After three years, Mr. Wilder started in business as a commission leather merchant and manufacturer, later associating hinself with Amos H. Hale (factory manager for Phelps Dodge & Palmer) in the firm of Wilder & Hale. In 1886 he formred the firm of Wilder & Company, taking his brother - John E. Wilder - as partner. This company has successfully continued the business ever since, incorporating in 1907 to include the younger men in the organization. Since its formation, T. Edward Wilder was president of Wilder & Company, and for many years chairman of the board of J.W. & A.P. Howard Company, vice president of the Wilder Tanning Company, councilor of the National Association of Tanners, and was actively interested in other corporations.
Mr. Wilder was a patriotic American citizen of the highest type, and devoted much emergy and initiative to civic and social progress…
Mr. Wilder married Annie Gage Tucker of Chicago in 1880. Together they have securely built a beautiful American home. Their loving spirit of harmony and service overflowed to the community in which Mr. Wilder was prominent in chruch, school and social lfe, working constantly and untiringly for all that was best. Through sacrifice he has overcome the infirmities of humanity in gaining the riches of eterinity.
Mr. Wilder leaves a widiw, Annie Tucker Wilder, and six children: Mrs. William H. Emery, Edward Tucker Wilder, Erskine Phelps Wilder, Harold Wilder, Paul Wilder and Harris Wilder, and ten grandchildren. Mr. Wilder’s three oldest sons were with him in business and all lived very close to him. Mr. Wilder was one of twelve children and is survived by three sisters: Mrs. Erskine M. Phelps, Mrs. E.B. McClelland, Mrs. G.F.P. Day, and two brothers: Charles L. Wilder and John E. Wilder.
Came to Chicago in 1875.
See http://www.hauntdetective.com/hauntings-legends-fo...f-the-wilder-mansion
“After the death of Mrs. King in 1901, the estate was sold to Mrs. Henry Gorden Selfridge, and later was purchased in 1905 by Thomas E. Wilder. Wilder renamed the estate "Lancaster Lodge," after his original home in Lancaster, Massachusetts.”
See also Chicago: Its History and Its Builders, a Century of Marvelous Growth, Volume 4, by Josiah Seymour Currey, p. 652.
From Leather & Shoes, Volume 58 (Rumpf Pub. Division, Nickelson & Collins Pub., 1919)
T. EDWARD WILDER PASSES AWAY
Thomas Edward Wilder died at Lancaster Lodge, his Elmhurst (Ills.) residence, August 22, after an illness of foyur months. Born August 15, 1855, at Lancaster, Mass., of old New England Stock, he lived sixty-four years of intense progress and service. His early years were spent upon the farm and he graduated from the Worcester Polytechnical Institute in 1874 with the degree of B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. The following year he came to Chicago and entered the leather business in the employ of Walter Oakley & Company. After three years, Mr. Wilder started in business as a commission leather merchant and manufacturer, later associating hinself with Amos H. Hale (factory manager for Phelps Dodge & Palmer) in the firm of Wilder & Hale. In 1886 he formred the firm of Wilder & Company, taking his brother - John E. Wilder - as partner. This company has successfully continued the business ever since, incorporating in 1907 to include the younger men in the organization. Since its formation, T. Edward Wilder was president of Wilder & Company, and for many years chairman of the board of J.W. & A.P. Howard Company, vice president of the Wilder Tanning Company, councilor of the National Association of Tanners, and was actively interested in other corporations.
Mr. Wilder was a patriotic American citizen of the highest type, and devoted much emergy and initiative to civic and social progress…
Mr. Wilder married Annie Gage Tucker of Chicago in 1880. Together they have securely built a beautiful American home. Their loving spirit of harmony and service overflowed to the community in which Mr. Wilder was prominent in chruch, school and social lfe, working constantly and untiringly for all that was best. Through sacrifice he has overcome the infirmities of humanity in gaining the riches of eterinity.
Mr. Wilder leaves a widiw, Annie Tucker Wilder, and six children: Mrs. William H. Emery, Edward Tucker Wilder, Erskine Phelps Wilder, Harold Wilder, Paul Wilder and Harris Wilder, and ten grandchildren. Mr. Wilder’s three oldest sons were with him in business and all lived very close to him. Mr. Wilder was one of twelve children and is survived by three sisters: Mrs. Erskine M. Phelps, Mrs. E.B. McClelland, Mrs. G.F.P. Day, and two brothers: Charles L. Wilder and John E. Wilder.
Spouses
Marriage1880