In 1861, Wilson was elected to the U.S. House from Iowa's 1st congressional district (the southern portion of the state), defeating [[Democrat]] opponent Julius E. Neal by sixteen percentage points.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=474326 IA - District 01 Race - Special Election Race - Oct 08, 1861]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved November 27, 2021.</ref> He filled the vacancy left upon the resignation of Samuel Ryan "S. R." Curtis,<ref name=nytimesobit/> who was appointed to become a [[colonel]] in the [[American Civil War]]. | In 1861, Wilson was elected to the U.S. House from Iowa's 1st congressional district (the southern portion of the state), defeating [[Democrat]] opponent Julius E. Neal by sixteen percentage points.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=474326 IA - District 01 Race - Special Election Race - Oct 08, 1861]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved November 27, 2021.</ref> He filled the vacancy left upon the resignation of Samuel Ryan "S. R." Curtis,<ref name=nytimesobit/> who was appointed to become a [[colonel]] in the [[American Civil War]]. |