The Wilson Families of Nodaway County, Missouri

Among the citizens of Independence township. Nodaway county, Missouri, who have attained to a definite measure of success through the exercise of the talents of industry, sound judgment and stanch integrity, must be numbered the subject of this sketch, who owns a fine and attractive farm and who is numbered among the representative farmers of his community. Mr. Wilson is a native son of Missouri, having first seen the light of day in Worth county, on November 30, 1867. He is a son of W. A. and Harriet (Sharps) Wilson, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Iowa. When a young man, W. A. Wilson came to Nodaway county, Missouri, and purchased a large tract of land, but, through misfortune, he lost it, and subsequently went to the Black Hills, where he successfully carried on extensive mining operations. After remaining in the Black Hills for twenty-five years, he returned to Nodaway county and again bought the land he had formerly owned here, comprising a tract of eight hundred and ten acres. Of this, he has since given to each of his five sons one hundred and twenty acres. He and his wife became the parents of eight children, of whom seven are living. In politics he was aligned with the Democratic party and he and his wife were members of the Christian church. The subject's paternal grandparents were Jerry and Elizabeth (Lockett) Wilson. The latter was born in Bortetourt county, Virginia, on March 2, 1813, and her death occurred at Sheridan, this county, on March 13, 1905, at the age of ninety-two years, eight months and ten days. She was a consistent member of the

Methodist Episcopal church from girlhood. Mr. Wilson died at Sidney, Iowa, about 1882.

Albert Wilson spent his boyhood days under the parental roof and received the advantage of a good common school education. He was brought to Nodaway county in boyhood and has remained a resident of this county since. He is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres of fine land in Independence township, where he carries on general farming operations with pronounced success. He also gives considerable attention to the breeding and raising of livestock, giving special attention to Hereford cattle and Poland China hogs. Practical and progressive in his methods, he keeps in touch with advanced ideas relating to husbandry and stock raising and has gained an enviable reputation among the leading agriculturists of the county. He owns an attractive home, the surroundings of which present a pleasing aspect.

In politics, Mr. Wilson has always supported the Democratic party, while his religious membership is with the Christian church, to which his wife also belongs.

On May 14, 1902, Mr. Wilson married Della Risser, a native of Colorado and a daughter of Jacob and Jane Ann (Lock) Risser, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work in the sketch of Sanford L. Wilson. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born two children, Glennon and Retha, who are at home. In every avenue of life’s activities in which he has engaged, Mr. Wilson has performed his full part, having always been deeply interested in whatever tends to promote the prosperity of his township and county and to him as much as to any one man is the community indebted for the material development for which it has long been noted. He has also used his influence in behalf of all moral and benevolent movements. His career has been that of a devoted husband, kind father and upright citizen, in whom the community repose the utmost confidence.

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

SANFORD L. WILSON.

Admired and respected for his general intelligence, as well as for his sterling qualities as a neighbor and a citizen, no man in Independence township stands higher in public esteem than the worthy individual the salient facts of whose life and characteristics are herein set forth. Sanford L. Wilson was born on February 21, 1873, 'm Fremont county, Iowa, and is a son of Jerry and Caroline (Sharpe) Wilson, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Missouri. Mrs. Wilson's father, James Sharpe, having been an early pioneer of this state, where both he and his wife died. The subject’s paternal grandparents were Jerry and Elizabeth (Lockett) Wilson, who were early settlers of the state of Indiana, subsequently coming to Iowa, where his death occurred, after which event his widow came to Missouri, and died here. The subject’s father, Jerry Wilson, was quite young when he came West with his parents, who first located in Fremont county, Iowa, later removing to Taylor county, that state, and still later to Gentry county, Missouri, where his death occurred in May, 1904. His widow is now living in Gentryville. Gentry county- They became the parents of nine children, of which number eight are living. Jerry Wilson was by vocation a farmer, and at all times commanded the respect of those who knew him, his life having been characterized by strict personal integrity and honesty of purpose. In politics, he was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, while, religiously, he and his wife were members of the Christian church.

Sanford L. Wilson was reared by his parents and received a good, practical common-school education. He early became accustomed to farm labor and has always devoted himself to that line of effort. In 1898 he left Taylor county, Iowa, and came to Nodaway county, Missouri. Here for two years he farmer on rented land and then bought eighty acres of land in Independence township, where he now resides, to which he added forty acres, owning now a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres. Here he has carried on general farming, in which he has met with well-deserved success, and in connection with which he has devoted considerable attention to the breeding and raising of draft horses, with gratifying results. He evinces a spirit of enterprise and progressiveness which is sure to win success in any line and among his fellow agriculturists he enjoys a good reputation because of his energy, industry and practical methods. His place is well improved and stands in unmistakable evidence of the good judgment and industrious habits of the owner.

On February 22, 1899, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Nellie Risser. who was born July 17, t 873. in Fremont county, Colorado, a daughter of Jacob and Jane Ann (Locke) Risser. These parents were natives, respectively. of Germany and Pennsylvania, the father having, on coming to America, located first in Indiana, and later moving to Illinois, where his marriage occurred. Later he and his wife went to Colorado, where they resided until 1882, when they came to Nodaway county and bought land in Independence township. He added to his original farm until he became the owner of eight hundred acres. He is now dead and his widow is living on the home farm. Mr. Risser was a stanch Republican and he and his wife were faithful members of the Christian church. They were the parents of ten children, of whom eight are living. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born four children, Cleva, Truman, Neva and Dola, all of whom are living.

Politically, Mr. Wilson renders an earnest support to the Democratic party and he takes a commendable interest in local public affairs, though not an office seeker. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the Christian church, to which they give an earnest and liberal support. Personally, Mr. Wilson is genial and friendly, easily makes friends, and is held in high esteem in the community, to the best interests of which he at all times gives his support.

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

MANFORD J. WILSON.

Agriculture has been an honored vocation from the earliest ages and as a usual thing men of honorable and humane impulses, as well as those of energy and thrift, have been patrons of husbandry. The free outdoor life of the farm has a decided tendency to foster and develop that independence of mind and self-reliance which characterize true manhood and no greater blessing can befall a boy than to be reared in close touch with nature in the healthful, life-inspiring labor of the fields. It has always been the fruitful soil from which have sprung the moral bone and sine of the country, and the majority of our nation's most renowned and distinguished men were born on the farm and are indebted to its early influence for the distinction which they have attained.

Manford J. Wilson was born in Fremont county, Iowa, on February 21, 1873. and is a son of Jerry and Caroline (Sharpe) Wilson, the former a native of the state of Indiana and the latter of Missouri. The subject's maternal grandfather, James Sharpe, was an early pioneer of Missouri, where he and his wife spent their last days, both being deceased. The paternal grand parents, Jerrv and Elizabeth ( Lockett) Wilson, located in Indiana in an early clay, subsequently locating in Iowa, where his death occurred, after which event his widow came to Missouri, where her death occurred. Jerry Wilson, Jr., came West in young manhood with his parents, who first located in Fremont county, Iowa, later removing to Taylor county, that state, and still later to Gentry county, Missouri, where his death occurred in May, 1904. His widow is now living in Gentryville, Gentry county. They became the parents of twelve children, of which number eight are living. Jerry Wilson was by vocation a farmer, and was highly respected in the various communities where he lived. Politically, he was a stanch Democrat, while, religiously, he and his wife were members of the Christian church.

Manford J. Wilson was reared on the paternal farmstead and is indebted to the common schools for his early mental discipline, which has been liberally supplemented during the subsequent years by much reading and habits of close observation. In young boyhood he removed with his parents to Taylor county, Iowa, and in 1899 he came to Nodaway county, but two years later he went to Nebraska, where during the following six years he engaged in farm ing. In 1904 he returned to Nodaway county and bought one hundred and twenty acres of land where he now resides. On this land he has made many permanent and substantial improvements and because of his practical methods and progressive spirit he stands high among the farmers of Independence township. He carries on general farming and stock raising, in both of which lines success has attended his efforts.

Politically, Mr. Wilson is numbered among the stanch supporters of the Democratic party, in the success of which he takes a deep interest. He and his wife are constant attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Wilson is a member and to which they give a liberal support.

On November 5, 1902, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage with Fannie Jackson, a daughter of Edward and Mary Jackson, who were natives of England. These parents, on coming to the United States, located in Iowa, from which state they removed to Nebraska, where the mother's death occurred. The father is now living at North Platte, Nebraska. Of the five children born to them, two are living. Mr. Jackson is a farmer by vocation, in politics, a Democrat, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belonged. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson has been born a son, Roy. Their comfortable and attractive home is the center of a large social circle, who appreciate the spirit of hospitality and good cheer which is ever in evidence there. Mr. Wilson is a stanch supporter of all movements which promise to be of benefit to the community and enjoys a high standing among his fellows, who appreciate and value him because of his genuine worth.

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

J. E. WILSON, farmer and stock dealer, section 30, is a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, where he was born August 30, 1828. When about eight years of age, he, with his parents, moved to Union County of the same state. There J. E. was reared to manhood. He has followed farming as an occupation during life. In 1852 he moved to Whiteside County, Illinois, where he sojourned one year, and then emigrated to Bremer County, Iowa. In 1865 he located where he now makes his home. His landed estate consists of nearly 600 acres, all of which is improved. During life he has been justice of the peace several years, holding that position while in Iowa for eight years. Mr. Wilson is a member of Quitman Lodge, No. 196, A. F. and A. M. He was married August 20, 185 1, to Miss Elizabeth Mcllroy. She was born March 17, 1832. They have had six children, four of whom are now living: Josephine L., born August 12, 1852; James P., born February II, 1855; Orvis F., born September 10, 1860; and Lillie M., born September 21, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. W. are members of the M. E. Church.

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

O. F. WILSON.

Each man who strives to fulfill his mission in life is deserving of recognition, whatever may be his field of endeavor, and it is the function of works of this nature to perpetuate for future generations an authentic record concerning those represented in its pages whose lives are worthy of emulation, like that of the subject of this sketch.

O. F. Wilson is a native of the state of Iowa, having first seen the light of day in Bremer county in 1860. He is the son of J. E. and Elizabeth (McElroy) Wilson, both of whom are natives of Ohio, but who in an early day removed from that state to Illinois, subsequently removing to Bremer county. Iowa, where the father successfully carried on agricultural pursuits. I11 the spring of 1866 the family came to Nodaway county, locating near where now stands the thriving town of Burlington Junction. Buying a tract of land, the father there carried on farming operations until seven or eight years ago, and then retired from active labor. He was energetic and progressive and at one time operated nine hundred acres of land, to which he gave his entire attention, carrying on general farming and stock feeding.

To J. E. and Elizabeth Wilson were born six children, of whom four are living. Politically. Mr. Wilson is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is an appreciative member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

O. F. Wilson was reared on the parental farmstead and secured his preliminary education in the public schools, supplementing this by attendance at the Maryville Academy, under Prof. A. D. Workman. During the following three years he was engaged in teaching school, in which he was successful, but he wisely concluded that the life of a farmer offered better opportunities for a young man of energy and ambition, and he took up the operation of the home farm. He now operates about six hundred acres of his own in partnership with his father, raising all the crops common to this section of the country, and also gives considerable attention to the feeding of stock, meeting with a gratifying measure of success in both lines of effort. In 1904 Mr. Wilson removed to the town of Burlington Junction, where he is now residing, though still giving due attention to his landed interests. He has been thoroughly practical and up-to-date in his methods and has kept closely in touch with the most advanced ideas relating to the science of husbandry, being considered one of the leading farmers of his section of the county.

In 1892 Mr. Wilson was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Ada B. Kester, formerly of Marcellus, Michigan, and they have become the parents of one son, Harry Turner.

In his political views Mr. Wilson is in accord with the platform of the Democratic party and takes an intelligent interest in the trend of current public affairs, though not a seeker after public office. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, in which he has attained to the degrees of Royal Arch Mason and Knight Templar in the York rite, being also a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a man of genial personality, makes friends easily, and is esteemed highly by all who know him.

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

NELSON WILSON, farmer and retired merchant, has 130 acres of land in section 30. He was born in Clark County, Illinois, in 1840, and came to this state in 1865, commencing farming with his father, Reason Wilson, near Maryville. In 1872 he engaged in trade in Bridgewater, and continued the business there and in Arkoe, until 188 1, when he sold out. He then moved on to his farm, which he is improving for a home. He married Miss Martha E. Gaskill, in this county, in 1869. They have five children: Dora, Reason, Wesley, Theodore, and Jeannetta. He was postmaster at Bridgewater and Arkoe, for nine years. Reason Wilson, his father was born in Kentucky in 1805, and came to Missouri in 1865, and settled on a farm near Maryville, where he died in 1878. He married Sarah Clapp in Illinois. She was born in South Carolina, her parents being German. Of this marriage there are now living: Lewis, Alexander, Clarinda, Harriet, Perry, Elizabeth, Sarah and Reason. Mrs. Wilson is now living with her son in Nebraska.

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

CALEB B. WILSON, miller and farmer, section 2, was born in Orange County, North Carolina, in January, 1834, and the same year came to Clay County, Missouri. His father moved to Andrew County, in 1842, and bought a farm, living upon it some eleven years, when he was killed by the kick of a horse. Caleb remained on the farm until 1874, when he came to this county and bought the Bridgewater mill, with other parties, and also purchased a farm. He has conducted them ever since that time. The mill was built by a Mr. Cock, in an early day, and perhaps was the first one in the in the county. Mr. Wilson commenced milling while a boy with a horsepower, and has the knowledge gained by long experience to make the best of flour, and has a reputation which reaches far and wide. He has a fine farm and a beautiful home, with abundance of fruit. He married Miss Susan O. Dobbs, of Indiana, in 1855. They have six children living: Martha Isabel, Sonora Agnes, Anna Lucy, Homer, Alveta Grace and Lena Pearl. Three sons are deceased: One, Roily, was killed by a horse when twelve years of age. Mr. W.'s mother lives in Nebraska, with her son William, and is seventy-eight years old. Ralph T. Wilson, his brother, was County Clerk of Andrew County, and died in 1866, leaving two children: Emelie Ettie, married Joseph P. Duncan, of Andrew County, and Robert B. The latter had an attack of spotted fever when he was four years old, which left him perfectly blind. He soon after lost his father and mother, and was left alone with his sister. In 1874, when he was sixteen years old, he went to the Blind Asylum at St. Louis, for six years, and to the Washington University for one year, and is now a well educated young man. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the Baptist Church.

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

WILLIAM G. WILSON, farmer and cattle feeder, section 32, is a native of Bath County, Kentucky, and was born on a farm the 9th day of March, 1847, being the third son of M. and Mary (Whalen) Wilson, natives of the same county. William spent his youth and received his education in his native county, and in 1862 he enlisted in Company F, Ninth Kentucky Regiment, and participated in the battles of Mission Ridge and Chickasaw Mountains. He was under John H. Morgan's command, and also under General

Johnston while resisting General Sherman's march to the sea. His division was an escort to Jefferson Davis in his attempt to escape the United States forces. His regiment surrendered at Petersburg, Georgia, and took the oath at Nashville, Tennessee. Returning to the old homestead, he farmer some three years, then sold out in 1868, and moved to Cass County, Missouri, where he remained some two years. In 1871 he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and settled in Hughes Township, about five miles south of Graham. His farm consists of 560 acres of well improved land and well watered. He also has a ranche in Coffee County, Kansas, with a large herd of cattle. Mr. Wilson was married on the 17th of January, 1872, to Miss Lorretta Mcllvane, a native of Mason County, Kentucky, born on the 21st of May, 1848. Mr. W. is a Mason, of Newton Lodge, No. 286. Their family consists of four children: James A., John M., Mary and Lula. Mrs. Wilson is a church member.

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

THOMAS WILSON, proprietor of the Mill Creek Mill. Among the experienced and familiarly known millers in the State of Missouri, is the subject of the following sketch. He is a native of Vermillion County, Illinois, and was born December 6, 1837. While a child he moved with his parents to Warren Count\% Indiana, and when fourteen years old he began in his present occupation, which he followed till 1862. By this time he had returned to Illinois, having grown to manhood. During the beginning of the war he was in the independent service for three months, or till after the draft was over, when by the influence of his most intimate comrades he joined the Ku Klux. While in an old house in a field one evening taking their oaths there seemed to be more masters than Ku Klux; therefore, he and others were taken prisoners, but by having to pass through a desolate slough, he and his partner by their shrewdness free themselves. Mr. W. then started for Missouri in the year 1862. He located on a farm in Gentry County, where for three years he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, but not being suited to that business, he returned to his chosen calling, which he has since continued. In 1879, ile came to his present location, and since then has been doing a thriving business, as the Mill Creek Mill is well known in this section of the country. In the year 188 1, he replaced the old mill with a new one, which now compares favorably with any in Northwest Missouri. It is situated within three-quarters of a mile of the thriving town of Elmo, which is destined to become a city of some note, being surrounded by a wealthy country. Mr. Wilson has been twice married. His first marriage occurred in the year [865, to Miss Rachel Martin, who died in November, 1873. He took for his second wife Melvina Cramer, the date of this marriage being 1875. By this union they- have two children: Martha and one infant son. Mr. \V. is a member of the Baptist Church, and Mrs. W. of the Catholic Church.

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