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|title=Membership in the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2020|publisher=Louisiana House of Representatives (house.louisiana.gov)|accessdate=May 1, 2013}}</ref>

|title=Membership in the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2020|publisher=Louisiana House of Representatives (house.louisiana.gov)|accessdate=May 1, 2013}}</ref>

Representative Wilson led the move to establish the town of Independence, located five miles south of Amite. In 1902 and 1903, he corresponded with [[Governor]] William Wright Heard regarding incorporation of the community, which at the time had a population of 308. Governor Heard informed Wilson that he considered the three square miles proposed for the new town too much land for a small village and suggested that the tract be reduced. Originally named "Uncle Sam," Independence had begun in 1852 when the New Orleans, Jackson and Great Northern Railroad began operating through the area. Independence was finally proclaimed a town on August 22, 1912.

Representative Wilson led the move to establish the town of Independence, located five miles south of Amite. In 1902 and 1903, he corresponded with [[Governor]] William Wright Heard (1853-1926) regarding incorporation of the community, which at the time had a population of 308. Governor Heard informed Wilson that he considered the three square miles proposed for the new town too much land for a small village and suggested that the tract be reduced. Originally named "Uncle Sam," Independence had begun in 1852 when the New Orleans, Jackson and Great Northern Railroad began operating through the area. Independence was finally proclaimed a town on August 22, 1912.

   

   

When Ruffin G. Pleasant (1871-1937) of [[Shreveport]] was elected governor in 1916, voters also chose Wilson as agriculture commissioner, a position to which he was reelected  seven times. Under Wilson, the agriculture department established the ''Market Bulletin,'' a newspaper that allowed landowners and farmers a means by which to purchase and sell agriculture-related goods and services. Wilson  developed the department's seed laboratory and increased the emphasis on [[entomology]]. Later, a full-time entomologist, SidneyJackson McCrory (1911-1985) of Ascension Parish, was hired; McCrory was elected for a single four-year term as agriculture commissioner in 1956. Wilson established an agricultural museum in the basement of the Louisiana State Capitol in [[Baton Rouge]]. For twenty-two years Wilson was the chairman of the Southern Commissioners of Agriculture Association. Wilson was an organizer of the Cotton Consumption Council and a president of the [[interest group]], the Association for the Increased Use of Cotton.<ref name=hdw>{{cite web|url=http://www.ldaf.state.la.us/portal/Portals/0/News/MarketBulletins/mb2008-07-03.pdf|author=Bill Sherman|title="Louisiana ag chiefs: past and present," July 3, 2008|publisher=ldaf.state.la.us|accessdate=May 1, 2013; no longer on-line}}</ref>

When Ruffin G. Pleasant (1871-1937) of [[Shreveport]] was elected governor in 1916, voters also chose Wilson as agriculture commissioner, a position to which he was reelected  seven times. Under Wilson, the agriculture department established the ''Market Bulletin,'' a newspaper that allowed landowners and farmers a means by which to purchase and sell agriculture-related goods and services. Wilson  developed the department's seed laboratory and increased the emphasis on [[entomology]]. Later, a full-time entomologist, SidneyJackson McCrory (1911-1985) of Ascension Parish, was hired; McCrory was elected for a single four-year term as agriculture commissioner in 1956. Wilson established an agricultural museum in the basement of the Louisiana State Capitol in [[Baton Rouge]]. For twenty-two years Wilson was the chairman of the Southern Commissioners of Agriculture Association. Wilson was an organizer of the Cotton Consumption Council and a president of the [[interest group]], the Association for the Increased Use of Cotton.<ref name=hdw>{{cite web|url=http://www.ldaf.state.la.us/portal/Portals/0/News/MarketBulletins/mb2008-07-03.pdf|author=Bill Sherman|title="Louisiana ag chiefs: past and present," July 3, 2008|publisher=ldaf.state.la.us|accessdate=May 1, 2013; no longer on-line}}</ref>