Chris Engel

Period 5
1/4/2015
Wilson Farnsworth Engel

My great grandfather, Wilson Farnsworth Engel, was a reluctant soldier, a dedicated

father, and a popular member of his community. He was born on July 5, 1895, in Northern
Minneapolis, Minnesota. Minnesota was his home for all of his life, and he only left the United
States to go to war during World War I. His greatest assets were his family, friends, and
business associates. Happiness resided in the personal relationships that he maintained
throughout his life.
While we dont know much about Wilsons childhood, we do know that he grew up in
Northern Minneapolis. His parents were Paul and Alice Engel, and he had four brothers and
one sister. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Minnesota, where
he pledged the Zeta Psi fraternity. He was drafted to go to war in 1917 on the first draft of June
5, along with all men aged 21 to 31. During World War I he served as a supply sergeant with
the 42nd Division, a.k.a. the Rainbow Division, Field Artillery, which fought in France and
Belgium. During the fighting he was injured by a bullet in his right leg. Throughout his tour of
duty he carried his banjo with him, and documented his experiences with messages written
around the rim of it.
After returning home, Wilson got a job selling Life Assurance and Fire Insurance in
Minneapolis. He continued to be active in his fraternity, where one of his favorite pastimes was
to sit with his buddies on the flat roof of the fraternity house, watching the University of
Minnesota football team play while listening to the sports announcer on the radio. When
America entered World War II many of his fraternity brothers were called to war. He became

very active in a letter writing campaign to support the troops throughout the war, carrying on a
correspondence with each of his Zeta brothers, and volunteering his time to support the families
of the men at war. Several Zeta chapters at other universities lapsed during this time, but my
great grandfather helped keep the University of Minnesota chapter alive.
Wilson was very popular in his hometown, and his friends and business associates often
came to visit, playing bridge or cribbage after dinner. He joined the Shriners of Minneapolis
where he was very active as a Mason, building personal relationships which also helped his
business. He married Margaret Wells, a kindergarten teacher, and they had three boys and
three girls, my grandfather being the youngest boy. In the summer the family would sometimes
go to nearby Lake Minnetonka, borrowing a cabin from a friend and swimming or fishing from a
boat at the cabin. Fishing was his passion, including ice fishing in the winter. Wilson taught
himself to play the piano, and could quickly pick up a tune from any of the popular music of the
time. The family often entertained themselves singing along while Wilson played the piano.
Wilson liked to smoke cigarettes and have a drink before dinner every night. Perhaps as
a consequence he suffered three strokes, each about 5 to 10 years apart. After the second
stroke his doctor urged him to give up his unhealthy habits, but he continued regardless. He
died in January,1950, of a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 54. At that time my grandfather
was fourteen years old. After his death the family savings and life insurance gradually ran out.
All three boys went to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, because that was the best
education they could afford. Even so, they each pledged the Zeta Psi fraternity to honor the
memory of their father.
Our family has adopted a tradition to name the oldest son Wilson in honor of my great
grandfather, the youngest today being Wilson Engel the Fourth. The famous banjo resides with
Wilson until his son has a family of his own.