The Wilson Families of Muscatine County, Iowa

JOHN C. WILSON.

John C. Wilson, a successful shoe merchant of Muscatine, his store being at No 127 East Second street, has been engaged in the sale of shoes here for the past thirty-seven years. His birth occurred in Verner's Bridge, County.Armagh, Ireland, on the 15th of May, 1854, his parents being John and Marie (Courtney) Wilson, who were likewise natives of the Emerald isle and were of English and Scotch descent respectively. William Wilson, the paternal grandfather, was born in England and was a butcher by trade. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Ann Long, was of Scotch lineage. They died in Ireland and were buried at New Mills, County Tyrone, William Wilson being seventy-four years old at the time of his death, while his wife attained the age of seventy-one Their children were eleven in number, as follows: William, Edward, Christopher, John, James, Jane, Ann, Margaret, Marie, Eliza and one who died in infancy. Christopher Courtney, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Scotland and in early life accompanied his parents on their removal to Ireland, being reared to manhood in County Armagh. He followed farming and stock-raising throughout his active business career and passed away in County Armagh at the venerable age of ninety-one years. Unto him and his wife were born five children, namely: Sarah, Margaret, Robert, Marie and Thomas.

John Wilson, the father of John C. Wilson, crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1874 and made his way direct to Louisa county, Iowa, settling on a farm which he had purchased prior to his arrival in this state. He was successfully engaged in business as a farmer and stock-raiser during his active life and at one time owned five farms in Louisa county, which went to his children. From 1 89 1 until their death the parents made their home with John C. in Muscatine. The father passed away October 7, 1908, and was buried at Letts, Iowa, on the ninety-fourth anniversary of his birth October 9. While still a resident of Ireland, in his younger days, he belonged to the militia known as the Yeomen or Home Guards. The demise of his wife occurred in 19OT, when she was seventy-seven years of age. They were originally Episcopalians in religious faith but after coming to the United States joined the Methodist church, there being no church of the Episcopal denomination in their home locality. They reared a family of four children, as follows: Robert, who resides near Letts, Iowa; William, living in Letts, Iowa; John C., of this review; and Lizzie, the wife of John C. Neil, of Lyndon, Kansas.

John C. Wilson was reared on the home farm in County Armagh, Ireland, and obtained his education in the schools of that place. When fifteen years of age he began clerking in a general store at Tullyrone, being thus employed for three years and ten months. In 1873, when a young man of nineteen years, he set sail for the United States and on the 19th of August arrived in Muscatine, Iowa. He at once began clerking in the same building where he now conducts business on his own account, selling shoes for W. H. Stewart. On the ist of June, 1895, he formed a partnership with T. W. Cherry and the two gentlemen purchased the interests of T. S. Stewart. This relation was maintained with mutual pleasure and profit until April, 1901, when Mr. Cherry retired, since which time Mr. Wilson has been the sole proprietor of the establishment. With the exception of two years spent upon the road, he has sold shoes in Muscatine for a period of thirty-seven years. His record in this connection is a most creditable one, for he has worked his way steadily upward from a humble clerkship to a position among the prosperous and enterprising merchants of the city. He is likewise identified with other business enterprises of Muscatine and is widely recognized as a substantial and representative citizen.

On the 28th of June, 1881. in New York city, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Qierry, a native of Tullyrone, Ireland, and a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Marie (Hall) Cherry. Her paternal grandparents, Robert and.Ann (Rowe) Cherry, lived to attain a ripe old age. Thomas Cherry, the father of Mrs. Wilson, was a linen manufacturer of County Armagh and there acted as guardian of the poor for more than a quarter of a century. He shipped linen to America during the period of the Civil war and passed away at Warren Point, Ireland, when about eighty-six years of age. His wife, who survived him, was called to her final rest in 1904 at the age of seventy-seven years. Unto them were born eleven children, as follows: Mary, Ann Jane, Lizzie. Louisa, Adelaide, Thomas W., Moses, Caroline, Robert, Edith and one who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson became the parents of four children; Marie, who wedded Lee L. Richards, by whom she had a son, Robert W.; Thomas W., who married Miss Genevieve Ellis and clerks for his father; Anna L., who gave her hand in marriage to Lee Richards Ashcraft; and Robert C., who is attending school. The wife and mother died in 1903, when forty-eight year.s of age, passing away in the faith of the Episcopal church.

Politically Mr. Wilson is a stanch republican, while religious faith he is an Episcopalian. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Fraternal Bankers Reserve, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Modern Brotherhood of America. His residence is at No. 124 West Third street and he is well and favorably known throughout the community. His life is exemplary in all respects and he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of the utmost commendation.

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

Alexander Wilson, the owner of a highly improved and valuable farm of two hundred and eighty-five acres on sections 4 and 9, Wapsinonoc township, was born in Ireland on the 3d of September, 1853, his parents being David and Eliza J. Wilson, who were likewise natives of the Emerald isle. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1858, first locating in Davenport, Iowa, while later they removed to Cedar county. Purchasing land in Muscatine county, they continued to reside here throughout the remainder of their lives, the father passing away in 1891, while the mother was called to her final rest in 1898. They were the parents of six children, as follows: James, who is deceased; Mary, the wife of A. H. Kimberley; Agnes, the wife of William Ehlers, of Austin, Minnesota; Alexander, of this review; David, who is a resident of Wapsinonoc township; and Margaret, who has passed away.

In the common schools Alexander Wilson obtained the education that fitted him for the practical and responsible duties of life. He remained with his parents until thirty years of age, when he was married and established a home of his own. At that time he purchased a part of the farm on which he now resides in Wapsinonoc township. The land was nearly all covered with timber and so the trees had to be cut down and the stumps rubbed up before it was ready for the plow. The fields are now under a high state of cultivation and there are many fine improvements on the property, including a commodious and substantial residence. As his financial resources increased Mr. Wilson extended the boundaries of his farm by additional purchase until it now embraces two hundred and eighty-five acres of land on sections 4 and 9. In addition to cultivating the cereal best adapted to soil and climate he makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock and in both branches of his business has won success,

In 1883 Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Doris Mohr, whose birth occurred in Germany on the loth of December, 1858, her parents being August and Maria Mohr, likewise natives of that country. The father emigrated to the new world in 1864, locating in Scott county, Iowa, where he made his home for thirty-five years. On the expiration of that period he took up his above in Whiteside county, Illinois, where his demise occurred in 1902, when he had attained the venerable age of eighty-five years. Unto him and his wife were born four children, two of whom still survive. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the parents of six children, namely: Amos and Alexander, Jr., both at home; Agnes, the wife of Charles Tempelman, of Muscatine county; David, a student in Ames College; and George and John, who are likewise yet under the parental roof.

Mr. Wilson, who is a republican in politics, has ably served as school director and road supervisor. His wife is a devoted and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has a wide acquaintance in this county and has won uniform trust and good will by reason of a life which in all of its phases has been straightforward and honorable.

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

At the age of seventy-six years, Mathias Wilson looks back on a long and active career which contributed materially to the welfare of others, and also provided himself with the means by which he now enjoys a well earned rest. Born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, December 9, 1834, he is the son of David and Abigail (Swern) Wilson. The father was also a native of the Keystone state and there spent a large part of his life. In 1856 he came to West Liberty, where he lived until called away in 1887. He was a farmer in the east and continued to follow that pursuit after coming to Iowa. The mother was born in New Jersey and was married to Mr. Wilson in Pennsylvania. She passed away in 1879, her remains and later, her husband's being laid in South Prairie cemetery. There were nine children in the family: Amanda, now deceased; Mathias, of this review; John, who died in 1856; Eli, who enlisted in the Twelfth Pennsylvania Volunteers and died in the service after having been wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg; Alexander, who was a member of Company I, Eleventh Iowa Volunteers, for three years, and is now living in Texas; William R., who served for three years in the Ninth Iowa Cavalry and is living in Adams county; Rebecca R., wife of Ben Herr, of South Prairie; Mary, deceased; and Lizzie F., now Mrs. Joseph Lane of Wapsinonoc township.

Mathias Wilson was educated in the subscription schools of his native state, the public school system not then having been generally adopted. He came with the family to Iowa and began working for a farmer in Wapsinonoc township. By industry and economy he acquired a small capital, and in 1860 he purchased land in Cedar county just crossed the line, but a year later he returned to Wapsinonoc township and bought land upon which he lived for forty years. In 1862, he offered his services to his country and became a member of Company B, Thirty-fifth Iowa Infantry, serving in that regiment until the end of the war. He took part in the siege of Vicksburg and was present at Champion's Hill and many other important engagements, also participating in various movements of the Army of the West. After receiving his honorable discharge he returned to peaceful vocations and worked at the carpenter's trade in connection with farming, becoming quite successful financially. At one time he owned three hundred and twenty acres of well improved land, but he has disposed of all except forty acres. He also owns bank stock and a comfortable residence at West Liberty, in which he lives.

In 1858, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Mosher, a sister of L. O. Mosher, sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work, and to them eight children were born: Harvey L., now living in Idaho; Mary Elsie, who died at the age of twenty-two years; Lizzie, wife of Ernest Egleston, of Post

Falls, Idaho; John Henry, of Colorado; Edward Grant, on the home place; William Carl, who died at seventeen years of age; Esther Inez, now the wife of George Anderson, a clothier of West Liberty, Iowa; and Wilbur M., who is a draftsman for the Illinois Steel Works at Chicago, Illinois.

Mr. Wilson votes the republican ticket in national affairs, but locally, he votes independently, taking into consideration the character and ability of the various candidates. He cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont, and all of his sons are also ardent republicans. He has never desired public office, but for three years he served very acceptably to the people as trustee of Wapsinonoc township. A good soldier in his younger days, he has been a patriotic citizen and has contributed to the upbuilding of his township and county. Active, earnest and thoroughgoing, he is recognized as a man of the strictest integrity, who has never sought to advance his own interests to the injury of others. He is therefore justly honored by those who know him.

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

C. R. WILSON.

Among the active business men of Muscatine county, C. R. Wilson, of Atalissa, may be named as one who has fairly earned the position of respect which he now holds in the community. He was born at O.ford. Johnson county, Iowa, March 8, 1876, and is a son of J. W. and Anna E. (Wilson) Wilson. He acquired his education in the district schools and remained at home assisting his parents until he was twenty-one years of age. Desiring to see the world and also to gain a practical knowledge of business, he went on the road as a traveling salesman and continued for nine years, also filling the position of city salesman in Chicago for one year. Meeting all classes of men, he gained many lessons which are not learned under ordinary circumstances and became well prepared for additional responsibility. Accordingly, in 1905, he associated with his father and brother in the lumber, paint, hardware and tile business at Atalissa and has since continued along those lines. Being a man of good capabilities and fine address, he has made many friends. Through trained judgment, careful selection of goods and a knowledge of the wants of the community his business has steadily grown and the firm is one of the most prosperous in this section.

In 1905 Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Ida B. Bonham, of Lincoln, Nebraska, a daughter of William Harrison and Martha Jane (Cook) Bonham. Her father is deceased and her mother is now living with our subject.

Mr. Wilson since arriving at voting age has given his adherence to the republican party. Fraternally he is identified with the blue lodge. No. 122, A. F.

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