The Wilson Families of Linn County, Iowa

ARTHUR II. WILSON, a wealthy and influential farmer of Brown Township, is located on a fine farm of 183 acres on section 27. At the time of taking possession of his kind, there was room for great improvement. He was possessed of great energy and industry, and immediately set to work to bring it into a better condition for successful farm operation. He labored with this object in view for several years, and the result is one of the finest homesteads in Linn County. The farm dwelling and its surroundings form an attractive feature in the landscape of that vicinity, and the traveler invariably causes to inquire by whose industry and taste this happy result has been brought about. In addition to his agricultural pursuits Mr. Wilson is interested to a considerable extent in stock-raising, lie has a herd of sixty-two head of cattle, seven horses ami colts, and fatten about thirty head of hogs annually. He also has a fine dairy, and his domestic animals receive that care and shelter which develops in them good blood and fine proportions.

Arthur H. Wilson was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., May 7, 1828. At the age of ten years his parents removed from his native county to Ohio, locating in Washington County, that State. (For parental history see sketch of William Wilson.) He received a common-school education, his school days being varied with duties on the farm. The family subsequently removed to Athens County, Ohio, and he remained there ten years. In the spring of 1865, being desirous of going further West, he came to Iowa and settled in Linn County, making a purchase of ninety-three acres in Brown Township, on section 2S, which he occupied for five years, and which he traded at the expiration of that time for a part of what now constitutes the family homestead.

The marriage of Arthur II. Wilson to Miss Man- Green, was celebrated in Washington County, Ohio, Jan. 12, 1855. Mrs. Wilson was born in Westmoreland County. Pa., March 12, 1835, and is the daughter of John and Jane (Glendening) Green. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, and after his marriage settled in Westmoreland County. He subsequently removed to Indianapolis. Ind.. where his decease occurred. The mother returned to Ohio, and died in Washington County, May ' 1 852. They were the parents of five children, three living to the age of maturity, viz., Mary, William and Anne Jane. To the household of Mr. Wilson and wife have been born five children: William C., Sarah J., Mary L., Arthur, Anna. William C. married Mary F. Plummer, and is a resident of Brown Township; Sarah J. i.s the wife of Oscar Johnston, and resides in Brown Township; Mary L. is the wife of William II. McFlhinncy. and they reside in Springville; Arthur and Anna are at home with their parents.

Mr. Wilson is a valued member of the community whose interests he has promoted by filling some of the offices of his township, having been Trustee and Assessor. He is Republican in politics, and faithfully adheres to the views and principles promulgated by that party. He is a man of good impulses and strict integrity, a careful and conscientious business man, and in all his dealings with his fellow-men is strictly observant of those high moral principles in which he was trained in early youth.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILIJAM FINLEY WILSON.

'illiani Finley W'il.-on, who was familiarly known as Finley by his numerous friends, came to this county in March, 1865. and throughout the remainder of his life was recognized as one of its valued and useful citizens. He was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, on the 18th of March, 1830, and was a son of William Wilson, who was also a native of the Ke\- stone state, and was engaged in farming in Westmoreland county for some years. Init in 1839 removed with his family to Washington county, Ohio, where he opened up a farm.

Finlev Wilson grew to manhood in that county, and assisted his father in the arduous task of clearing and improving the farm. His educational advantages were somewhat limited. He was married April 15, 1858, in 'washington county, Ohio, to Miss Lucy A. Dunbar, a native of Massachusetts, which state was also the birthplace of her parents. Stephen and Lucy (Cutler) Dunbar. The father was Lwrn near North Amherst, in 1804, and was a son of Josiah Dunbar, also a native of Massachusetts, and a soldier of the war of 1812. Mrs. Wilson's maternal grandfather, Joseph Cutler, also belonged to one of the pioneer families of the old Bay state. Her father, who was a wagonmaker liy trade, removed to Ohio in 1839, and after spending a short time in Morgan county settled in Washington county, where he engaged in the manufacture of wagons until coming to Iowa in 1885. He spent his last years with ]Mrs. 'wilson in Linn county, where he died April 2. 1891, at the ripe old age of eighty-seven years. His first wile died in Athens. Ohio, when Mrs. Wilson was quite small, and he subsequently married again.

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1863, ami returned to his linie in Wash-

It was in the spring of 1865 that he removed with his family to Linn county. Iowa, and purchased a farm of one hundred and thirty-six acres in Brown township, one mile east of Springville. There was an old log cabin upon the place, and everything was in a rather dilapidated condition, but he at once commenced its improvement. erecting thereon a good house, barn and other outbuildings. Subsequently he bought another farm at Xew Linden, one mile east of Springville, consisting of eighty acres, on which he made his home during the remainder of his active business life. He erected a pleasant residence upon this place, and made many other valuable iiTqirovements, which added greatly to its beauty and worth. In 1896 he bought residence property in Springville. and there lived retired until his death, which occurred October 3, 1898. He had little capital on coming to this state, and his success was due entirely to his industry, perseverance and good management, and the assistance of his estimable wife, who aided and encouraged him in ever)- possible manner.

Unto this worthy couple were born five children, namely: Emma, who died at the age of seventeen years; Albert D., who died at the age of twelve years; Ella, who died at the age of nine: Roljert, who married Minnie Pollock, and is engaged in farming in Brown township, and they have five children. Cecil, Lee, Edith, Hattie and Anna; Hattie R. is the wife of Willi m Pollock, a brother of Mrs. Robert Wilson, who is also a farmer of Brown township, and they are the parents of seven children. Florintha. Till mias, Elma, Lucy, Clinton, Edgar and Albert.

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As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

LEONIDAS L. WILSON.

Probably no one in Center Point is more widely known or highly esteemed than Dr. L. I>. Wilson, who has been a resident of this county since March, 1855. He was

28o born in Cliesterville. Morrow county, Ohio, July 2Ti. 1843. and is a son of Dr. John F. Wilson, whose birth occurred in Emmitsburg, Maryland, August 17, 1812. His paternal grandfather. Thomas Vilson, was a native of County Monaghan. Ireland, and was a child when he came to the new world with his parents and settled in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The latter's father owned property in County Monaghan, which he leased for a term of one hundred years on his emigration to America.

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The subject of this sketch was a lad of twelve years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to this county, and he remained with them until reaching manhood, working on the home farm during the summer season and attending the district schools through the winter months. When the Civil war broke out he joined the boys in blue, enlisting in August, 1862, as a private in Company B, Twentieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. The first engagement in which he participated was the fight at Newtonia, Missouri. Later he took part in the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, and the siege of Vicksburg, and after the surrender of the latter place he was in the battles of Yazoo City, Fort Morgan, Fort Blakely and Mobile, besides a number of skirmishes. Several times his clothes were pierced by bullets and his hat was once shot off, but fortunately he was never injured, though he received a sunstroke at Vicksburg, and was in the hospital at that place after the siege. He accompanied his regiment on their removal to New Orleans, but had not yet recovered from the effects of the sunstroke and was soon sent home on sick leave. As soon as able he rejoined his command at Duvall's Bluff, Arkansas, and remained at the front until the close of the war. He was mustered out at Mobile and discharged at Clinton, Iowa, in July, 1865.

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At Center Point. January 24. 1867, Dr. Wilson married Miss Emma L. Hughes, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of F. F. Hughes, who was born at Cape May, New Jersey, and brought his family to Iowa in 1857, Mrs. Wilson being reared in Benton and Linn counties. By this union was born one daughter, Lora E., now the wife of W. A. Rogers, a farmer of 'washington township, this county, and the only son of John Rogers, who is now living a retired life in Center Point. They have two children. Beth E. and Leo J.

Politically Dr. Wilson is a life-long Republican, having cast his first presidential vote for General U. S. Grant and for every presidential candidate of the party since that time. He drew up the documents for the organization and incorporation of Center Point, and has ever taken an active and influential part in public affairs. He was a member of, the first city council, and has since served as township clerk, city assessor, and school treasurer. He has been a member of the school board twenty years, and was first treasurer and later secretary of the same. In 1901 he was elected supervisor, and is now a member of the county board. The Doctor is also prominently identified with a number of civic societies. He was created a Master Mason at Center Point in 1865, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at that place, of which he is past grand chancellor. He was one of the organizers of Dennison Post, No. 244, G.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

THOMAS WILSON, deceased. This gentleman was one of Linn County's most valued citizens, whose place it will be difficult to fill. He died at his home in College Township, May 25, 1872, at the age of fifty-six years. His name was a familiar one throughout the county, he having been more than ordinarily successful, and a man whose character was above reproach. He was an earnest and sincere Christian, and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which organization he was identified for many years, both as a lay member and an officer, and holding other positions of responsibility and trust. To this society his death is an almost irreparable loss, for he was looked up to in confidence as a wise counselor and disinterested friend.

Thomas Wilson was born May 5, 1815, and was a native of New Jersey. The name of his father was John Wilson; he was a native of New England, and his ancestry were natives of this country for at least the space of three centuries, and farther back trace their lineage to Scotland. John Wilson contracted a matrimonial alliance with a New Jersey lady, Miss Elizabeth Martin, by whom he became the father of eleven children, Thomas Wilson, the subject of our sketch, being the fifth in order of birth. They carried on the peaceful occupation of agriculture, and when Thomas was a child of three 3'ears his parents cast their eyes westward and determined to seek their fortunes among the hills of the Buckeye State. They selected Belmont County for their location, and upon a farm there followed their vocation for a number of years. Previous to his marriage, the father was a member of the Quaker community, but marrying outside of the community, was obliged to surrender his claims as a member of this organization. He lived to a good old age, and his life terminated in Belmont County, as did also that of the mother, when she was well stricken in years.

Thomas Wilson remained with his parents in Belmont County until his marriage, which occurred Aug. 15, 1842, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah Livingston. She was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Fayette County, Nov. 8, 1815. When seven years of age, she came with her parents to Ohio, and they settled in Belmont County while the country in that vicinity was but a wilderness. The land was covered with a growth of heavy timber, and wild game was plentiful. This, however, suited the disposition of her family, who were peculiarly quiet in their tastes, and they really enjoyed the solitude amid which they lived. The father of Mis. Wilson was Cyrus Livingston, and the maiden name of her mother, Berthenia Taylor. The latter, like her husband, was born and reared in Pennsylvania. She came to Ohio with her husband, and died in Belmont County, Sept. 7, 1844. After her decease the father came west, making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Wilson, where he died in 180.3, at the age of nearly seventy-eight 3'ears.

Mrs. Wilson lived under the parental roof, assisting in the home duties, until her marriage with

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Si our subject. She came west with her husband in March, 1851, the trip being made partly by water and partly overland. Mr. Wilson purchased of the Government 160 acres of land, and this constituted the homestead where he passed his life, and where his decease took place. It was a wild and unbroken tract of land when he took possession of it. Their neighbors were few and far between, and Mr. Wilson broke the first land on section 15, in this township. The site was then near what was designated as Pilot Grove, a high ridge of land, which constituted a mark or " pilot " for the early traveler through the county, and in the early days was frequently occupied as a camping-place by the Indians. Mr. Wilson was compelled to haul his lumber a great distance to build his first house, steam mills being then almost unknown, and the country over which he came nearly pathless. From its wild and primitive condition, he lived to see a prosperous community grow up an mud him, and the march of civilization not only approaching him, but, in the course of time, passing far beyond. He was well fitted for the duties and obligations of a pioneer, for upon the men who first made settle-

Bment in this wild country depended the extent and rapidity of its growth and progress. He industriously labored to improve his farm, and increased his acreage as time progressed and his means permitted. The location proved a fortunate one, and the homestead is now surrounded by other fine farms and all the evidences of modern thrift and luxury.

Eight children came to brighten the home of this worthy pair, only three of whom survived to be a comfort to their parents. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Wilson has resided with her son John, who is now the main possessor of the homestead. This kindly old lady retains her physical and mental powers to a remarkable degree, and is regarded with warm and kindly affection by the friends and neighbors among whom she has passed the greater part of her life. Of her children, John M. was reared under the parental roof, and educated at Western College, in College Township. He remained at home until his marriage with Miss Ellen R. Eastman, which occurred Sept. 9, 1870. She was a native of Washington County, Ohio, born Feb. 14, 1845. At the age of nine years she came with her parents to Linn County. Her father, Timothy It. Eastman, was born in Windsor County, Vt., in 1807, and removed with his mother and her family to Morgan County, Ohio, the death of his father having occurred when he was a child of two years old. At that early day the facilities for education were very limited, but the mother early discovered that her son was inclined to be studious, and she accordingly encouraged this taste by every means in her power. He traveled long distances to the nearest schools, where he spent the day, and at night, by the light of burning pine knots, pursued his studies, which in time became of a highly scientific nature. In his reading he developed a taste for the very best books which could be obtained, embracing history, philosophy, and biographies of the good and great. Arriving at the age of manhood, he married Miss Elizabeth Gould, a descendant from the celebrated Alden family, who came over with the Pilgrim Fathers in the Mayflower. She was born in Marietta, Ohio, and for many years was a teacher in the public schools of that place. Of this genial union were born twelve children, seven of whom followed in the footsteps of their parents and became accomplished teachers. Under the early encouragement of his mother, and the later encouragement of an accomplished and refined wife, Mr. Eastman became a finely educated man, a teacher, and for two years Superintendent of the Schools of Linn County. He was a Normal instructor, and taught in the various institutes where the teachers of the county assembled to receive instruction in the best methods" of conducting the institutions of learning in the various country districts. This gentleman died in Marion in 1876. He was a man of influence in his community, and highly respected both for his cultivation of mind and his genial disposition. The accomplished wife of this gentleman survived her husband but three years, dying in 1879. Mrs. Wilson received her education under the careful instruction of her father, and by her accomplishments does great honor to her revered teacher. At the age of sixteen years she became engaged as a teacher, which calling she pursued successfully for thirty terms. She was considered a most excel-

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The remaining members of the family are, Phillip M., who now resides in Humboldt, and is engaged in the livery business; he married Miss Carrie Benjamin. Robert R. is a newspaper man, and editor of the Aurora at Avalon, Mo.; he was united in marriage with Miss Alice Singley. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and this son is a Democrat in politics.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM C. WILSON

William C. Wilson, who has been successfully engaged in business as a merchant of Toddville since 1903. was born in Otter Creek township, Linn county, Iowa, on the 20th day of April, 1878, his parents being William and Rebecca J. (Thompson) Wilson. The father was a native of Ohio, while the mother's birth occurred near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. They took up their above among the early settlers of this state and here William Wilson spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1898. His widow still makes her home in Linn county, where she is well known and highly esteemed.

William C. Wilson of this review attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and remained at home until he had attained his majority. He then worked at common labor for five years and subsequently embarked in business on his own account as a merchant, having for the past seven years conducted a successful and growing mercantile enterprise at Toddville. He gives careful attention to the wants of his patrons, and his reasonable prices, fair dealing and enterprising methods have won him a liberal trade.

On the 30th of September, 1903, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Lanning. a native of Linn county and a daughter of John K. and Angelina

(Hogeland) Launing. Her father's birth occurred in Ohio, while her mother was born in this county and is still living here. Mr. and Mrs. "Wilson have one son, Meryl Grant, whose natal day was February 5. 1 9 07.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. "Wilson has supported the temperance or prohibition party and in 1904 was appointed to the position of postmaster but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. Both he and his wife belong to the Church of Christ and do all in their power to promote its growth and extend its influence. Mr. Wilson is a minister of the denomination, having been ordained on the 6th of February, 1009. He and his wife are widely and favorably known in the county where they have always resided, the circle of their friends being almost, coextensive with the circle of their acquaintances.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.