William Dwight Wiman – 1890-1914

By Gretchen Frick Small
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31 Aug, 2020
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*William Wiman and his groomsmen. William Butterworth, top right.*

In the first two posts we looked back at William’s childhood, college years and then early professional career. Our final installment begins in the late 1880s. During this time period, William was not only involved in the Chicago Yerkes fountain, but was an electrical engineer for the General Electrical company from 1886-1890.

It was also during this period that he became acquainted with Anna Deere. Anna had been a student of Miss Anne Brown’s School for Young Ladies, in New York City. Anna and her sister Katherine became friends with fellow classmates Martha and Minnie Wiman. Both girls were younger sisters of William.

In 1890, William (age 29) and Anna (age 25) were married in Moline, Illinois. The wedding took place at the First Congregational Church, where the Deere family were long-time members. The Wednesday, October 8th wedding began at 8pm. This seems like a late start for a wedding, but it must have been a short ceremony. A photocopy of the reception invite shows that Anna’s parents, Charles and Mary Deere, began receiving guests at 8:30pm at their home, Overlook.

The most extensive description of the wedding and reception was found in the Chicago Daily Tribune, October 9, 1890. Several pre-wedding festivities are listed. “The most noteworthy was a dance, at which the ushers and young men of Moline and Rock Island entertained the bridal party Monday night.” The parents of the bride were especially busy as Mrs. Deere hosted a luncheon the day of the wedding, and also the reception that night. I would guess that every staff member was kept busy all week.

Two other sections, from the Tribune article were of special interest.

“At its (the wedding) conclusion the party returned to “Overlook,” where the reception was held. Mr. Deere’s mansion is beautifully situated on a grassy height. From the balcony one can see the ribbon of river that stretches past the island, now glowing with the varied autumn foliage. In the daytime it is lovely, and tonight it was resplendent. The flower beds on the lawn, the big trees and the house flashed out with electric lights. Flowers almost carpeted the halls, and the parlors glowed with the fine beauty of womanhood. Entering the main hall one was confronted with banks of roses and small woods of tropical plants. The parlor in which the bride received was transformed with floral decoration, done with exquisite taste, and the dancing pavilion, which had been erected under canvas on the lawn, had received a handsome share of the attention of the decorators. The bride’s reception was followed by a repast furnished by Caterer French of Chicago, and then the young people had their dance, which ended the evening’s feast.”

What a spectacular image this paragraph creates. If only they had taken pictures of the event! When I first read this paragraph, the sentence I was most excited by was “the house flashed out with electric lights.” This was the earliest date we have that mentioned the house having electricity.

The other section I enjoyed gave a partial list of the nearly 200 gifts received.

“From Mr. Deere, a check big enough to take one’s breath away (it was not for $100,000, as has been printed, but the sum was a big fortune); from Mrs. Deere, a silver set; from Mrs. Wiman, a residence on Staten Island; from Mr. Wiman, a silver service.”

Two gifts stand out in this section. Wouldn’t you love to know the amount of a check big enough to take one’s breath away? The other gift was Mrs. Wiman’s gift of a residence, which we luckily have a photograph (See Below). This house was near William’s parents’ residence.

*Staten Island home of William and Anna Wiman*

*Interior of Charles Deere Wiman’s nursery*

Following the wedding, the couple settled into their new home on Staten Island. William worked as Superintendent of the Richmond Light Heat and Power Company of Staten Island. In 1892, their first child was born, Charles Deere Wiman.

The young family’s next move was when Charles was about a year-and-a-half old. The Moline Review Dispatch of June 8, 1894 states that "Mrs. Will Wiman arrived in Moline and will make her home here. Will is expected later in the month and will either take a position with the Deere & Mansur company or start an industry of his own."

Why leave Staten Island, their home and William’s position. The reason may be in part because Charles Wiman was the direct heir of Charles Deere. Charles Deere was the only son of John Deere’s which lived to adulthood. He then had two daughters. When Charles died in 1907, his son-in-law, William Butterworth became President of Deere. I don’t think there was ever any doubt that when Charles Wiman reached maturity, he would become President of Deere.

What did William Wiman do after moving to Moline. For several years he managed the Union Malleable Iron Works and at one point served as a director of Deere & Co. He was also appointed by Illinois Governor Tanner to a staff position with the title of Colonel. When the Moline Naval Reserves were organized, he accepted the command of the sailors.

*Colonel William Wiman (second from left in dark uniform) and the Moline Naval Reserves*

*William Wiman, second row center in light colored coat*

Then about 1904, health problems for Anna Deere Wiman led the family to move to California. William gave up all his business interests and California was chosen in hopes that the climate would improve her health. William, Anna and their two sons, Charles and Dwight, settled in Santa Barbara. Sadly, Anna passed in 1906 at the age of 44. William and the boys returned to Moline, settling in at Overlook with the boys’ grandmother Mary Deere.

*Santa Barbara home of William and Anna Wiman*

William’s interest in boating resurfaced and in April of 1908, he was elected to lead the newly organized boat club in Moline. The Board of Managers included his brother-in-law and former Lehigh University friend, William Butterworth.

*(left to right) Dwight, William and Charles Wiman*

*William Wiman on the Mississippi River*

Sadly, Charles and Dwight Wiman lost their father in 1914. A private service was held at Overlook before burial in the Deere family plot at Riverside Cemetery.

I hope you have enjoyed this three-part series and have discovered why I think William Wiman led an interesting life. From his childhood on Staten Island, to Lehigh University, as an assistant to Thomas Edison, then England to learn about water fountains and finally his many activities in Moline.

What did you find most interesting about William Wiman’s life?

I have a list of future topics, but if you have any suggestions, please comment.

William Dwight Wiman – 1890-1914

Royal Experiences for the Deere Family: Part II

Royal Experiences for the Deere Family

Alexander F. Harmer

Inside the Butterworth Garage

The History of the Butterworth Garage

Deere-Wiman House 1917 Swimming Pool

The Deere Family and The Hotel Colorado

Ruth Vendala Marie Moll, Part II

Ruth Vendla Marie Moll

Mollie and John Capris