Leslie F. Wilson, the founder of Les Wilson, Inc. was born in Severy, Kansas in 1898.

His career in the oil business began as a tool dresser in Muskogee County, Oklahoma.

During the 1920s and 1930s, the Wilsons traveled from field to field, back and forth between Kansas, Montana and Canada, following the oil booms.

Les formed L.F. Wilson Drilling Co, in Salem, IL in the late 30's, moving to Carmi in 1946.