Tract # 20 – Charley Wilson

Charley Wilson was the ninth signer on the petition for Federal Heights to incorporate.  At the time he signed, he owned Tract #20 which he had purchased from James and Nellie Patty in June 1932 for $2,150.

Charley was born near Jefferson City, Missouri on March 31, 1876. His family moved to the Denver area when he was five.

On July 14, 1898 Charley enlisted in I company, 15th Infantry regiment for the Spanish-American War. He was discharged as a corporal in May 1899 in Diego De Avila, Cuba, and returned home to Denver.

In the 1910 Federal census, Charley reported his occupation as brake inspector for the Denver & Rio Grande railroad.  Charley was first married to Minnie Maude Hocking in 1912.  Charley and Minnie were living in Denver in 1918 when he registered for the World War I draft.  In 1920, Charley, Minnie and their niece Myrtle Patrick lived at 3605 Raleigh Street in Denver.  Minnie and Charley were divorced in 1930.  Later that year, Charley married Kate Reed, and reported on the census that he was working as a filling station manager.

In 1932, Charley purchased Tract #20 on North Federal.  He and Kate lived in Westminster at 8290 Federal Boulevard from about 1935 through the late 1950’s. Charley sold his Federal Heights property in November 1941.  Kate Wilson died in March of 1964.  Charley died the following year on October 2, 1965.  Graveside services for Charley were conducted by the General Henry Lawton Camp #1 of Spanish-American War veterans.  Charley and Kate are both buried at Crown Hill Cemetery.