The Wilson Families of Washington County, Iowa

MICHAEL W. WILSON, farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 29, Washington Township, is one of the best known men in Washington County. He is a pioneer atooag pioneers, coming to this county in 1840, and has-been identified with it since that time. He is a native of Alleghany County, Md., born Aug. 13, 1808. Hia father, James Wilson, was a native of Maryland, born JNIarch 6, 1781. His mother,.Martha (Ashby) Wilson, was also a native of that State, born Feb. 12, 1786. They were the parents of nine children, eight of whom lived to be adults, one dying in infancy: Michael, of this county; James R., of Perry County, Ohio; Sarah, wife of Israel Moore, of Ferry County, Ohio; Elizabeth, wife of Robert Huston, of Ferry County, Ohio; Rachel, wife of Isaac Cooper, of Ferry County, Ohio; Martha, wife of Isaac Hull, of the same county; Jonathan, the eldest, died in Washington County, Iowa; Thomas died in Perry- County, Ohio.

Politically, James Wilson was an old-line Whig, a great admirer of Henry Clay, and when the latter was defeated for the Presidency, could scarcely restrain his feelings. He held several local offices in Perry County-, and was Judge of the County Court of that county for eight years. In his case, it was the oUice seeking the man, and not the man the office. He was a great student, and well posted in the affairs of the country. Honest and upright in all his dealings, charitable in all laudable enterprises, there was not a man in the State of Ohio more universally respected. He and his wife were life-long members of the Methodist Episcopal

Chiirfli, mid alwaj-s took an active interest in the same. Janie.s Wilson died iMareh 31, ItSoS, and Mai'tlia Wilson died in 177. Both died in Ohio.

The subject of this sketch was educated in the pioneer log school-house, attending school in the winter, and assisting his father upon the farm during the summer months. lie remained at home until twenty-five 3-ears of age, when he commenced work for iiimself, his first venture being the raising of a crop of tobacco, and in which he was quite successful, realizing quite a handsome sum for that day. He was married on the loth of February, 1819, to Miss Catherine Ann Hood, born March I. 1826, in Perry County, Ohio. She was the daughter of Judge Charles C. and Frances (Hammond) Hood, the family being among the best known and highly respectcil in that section of the country. Judge Hood was a man of strong common sense, the people of his section of country going to him for legal advice to the detriment of the attorneys, for he would almost invariably' secure a settlement of difHculties without litigation. Judge and Mrs. Hood were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Both died in Perry County Ohio. In 1840, Mr. Wilson came to Washington County, Iowa, and made a claim to a tract of land on section 29, Washington Township, to which he afterward secured the deed, and which he improved, and on which he has lived for almost a half century'. To his original purchase he has since added other purchases, until he now owns 800 acres of land, lj"ing within a short distance of the city of Washington. When the second purchase was made from the Indians, Jlr. Wilson went to Mahaska County, made claim to a tract of land on Six-Mile Prairie, and there improved a good farm, though he never moved to that county.

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In connection with this sketch may be found portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, which 'will be well appreciated by the readers of this work.

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

CHARLES JAMES WILSON.

Charles James Wilson was born in the Jonathan II. Wilson home in Washington. Iowa, November ii, 1850. His parents were.Michael Wilson and Catherine Wilson, whose maiden name was Catherine A. Hood. Charles was reputed one of the prettiest and sweetest babes in all the countryside, but, not wishing to umpire the game, we shall leave it to his present admirers to say whether the promise and prophesy of the infantile pulchritude has been fulfilled, or broken to the hope.

His father was a farmer and one of the very first settlers of the county, and Charles grew up out of doors, fond of sports, animals, birds, flowers, colors, etc., and accumulated the average of colds, chilblains, stabbed toes and stone bruises on heels, and letters in the post-office. He was a few years too late for the Indians that he is so fond of. and he has been gathering their relics ever since.

Lie never cared to climb his genealogical tree, for any of us may have had remote ancestors whose photographs we should not exactly prize. No one would care to trace back to the Flood when all of our forebears were sponge off the map. Charles did not care to scrape acquaintance farther back than grand or great-grand — he was not greedy of ancestors — let the dead bury their dead. It was enough matter of congratulation that he safely arrived on this merry scene.

His was a common-school education, supplemented by a few terms in a sort of academy. He read law about two years with Mcjunkin & Henderson and graduated from the law department of the Iowa University in the class of 7874-5, '" June, 1875. While in the common schools, he learned much on the outside, as Emerson says, all boys get the best part of their education on the way to school, foraging for melons, green apples, worms for bait, and abluting in the Ole Swimmin Hole.

Why did he propose to become a lawyer? To escape the farm. The man who started the story that Charles was passionately fond of farm life was a charter member of the original Ananias Club and a nature baker besides. He tried the law to get the means to exist and leave broad margins for the enjoyment of fun. He made good at law, practicing alone several years, then joined the firm of Stone, Wilson & Kellogg. On its dissolution, the shingle read Wilson & Kellogg. Then again alone a series of years, and for a year or so it was Eicher & Wilson, then Wilson & Wilson, his son Carlton C. becoming a partner.

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

WILLIAM W. WILSON.

William W. Wilson cultivates an excellent farm containing three hundred and ninety-six acres in Washington township, this county, upon which he has always resided and his pursuit of husbandry has been so favorable as to enable him to become the owner of considerable valuable real estate and to own stock in a large banking institution. His entire life has been spent on his present farm, where his birth occurred December 16, 1857, his parents being Michael and Catherine (Hood) Wilson. The father was a native of Maryland, born near Cumberland, and at an early day removed with his parents to Somerset, Perry county, Ohio. In 1840 he came to this state and entered land in Mahaska county, subsequently making his home in this county, where he pursued general agriculture until he entered into rest. He died February 9, 1891. His wife, a native of Perry county, Ohio, where they were united in marriage, passed away here in 1906, leaving a family of four children: C. J., an attorney of this county; T. J., who engaged in farming in Mahaska county; William W.; and AHce, the wife of Henry Shaver, who is engaged in the furniture business.

William W. Wilson was reared to agricultural life, spending his boyhood days upon his father's farm and the neighboring schools affording him his education. After completing his studies he settled down to farming on the home place, where he has since resided. He owns three hundred and ninety-six acres of land, which is one of the most productive farms in the county and, being provided with a magnificent residence, a substantial barn, good fences and all conveniences with which to pursue the occupation of farming, his place is one of the most desirable in the township and in every particular is suggestive of the thrift and aggressiveness of its owner. He devotes his attention to producing general crops, at the same time taking an interest in stock-raising, and he keeps on hand a number of specimens of the best breeds of cattle, sheep and hogs, which he ships.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

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

FRANK L. WILSON.

Among the prominent representatives of commercial lines in Washington is numbered Frank L. Wilson, a dealer in shoes who was born in this city, February 20, 1863. He is a son of Charles H. and Lucy (Gray) Wilson, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of West Virginia. The paternal grandfather, William Wilson, was also born in the Keystone state and in early life was a matter who afterward became closely connected with financial interests as a banker. His was an active and progressive business career and he lived to the advanced age of eighty-one or eighty-two years. His wife died in early womanhood.

150 HISTORY i)V 'ASIII.\(.T( COTXTY

Charles H. Wilson learned the printer's trade in early manhood and in 1850 came to the west, settling in Muscatine, Iowa, where he established a paper and lived for a short time. He then came to Washington where he has since made his home and for several years was proprietor of a grocery store here. Later he established a hardware store but eventually returned to the grocery line in which he continued for a long period. Later he took up the plumbing and heating business, in which he still continues and thus for more than half a century he has been connected with business interests of this city. He wedded Aliss Lucy Gray, whose parents were natives of West Virginia. Her father died in middle life while her mother passed away when about seventy-five years of age. She was one of nine children and her death occurred July 3, 1869, when she was only thirty-four years of age. After losing his first wife Charles H. Wilson wedded Miss Alice Beard and their only child is Laura, now the widow of W. R. Maxwell. By the father's first marriage there were three sons and a daughter, namely: Ella, the wife of N. Corbin, of Washington; Charles G., of Chicago: Frank L.; and Bert, deceased. The father reared his family in Washington, where for many years he has been known as an honored and representative citizen and leading business man. He has also figured somewhat prominently in public life, acting as a member of the state legislature for two terms, during which period his support of vital public measures made him a factor m promoting the substantial development of the commonwealth.

Throughout his entire life Frank L. Wilson has remained in Washington and at the usual age he entered the public schools, passing through consecutive grades. When he had put aside his text-books he engaged m clerking in a grocery store for about five years. He then began clerking in a shoe store after conducting the grocery business for a time m partnership with his father. Entering the shoe trade he was employed by J. Albert Williams and soon purchased an interest in the business which was conducted under the firm style of J. Albert Williams & Company. The senior partner died January 25, 1890, but the business was continued under the old name until January 1, 1904, when the name was changed to Frank L. Wilson & Company. The store is well appointed and a large and attractive line of goods is carried for which a ready sale is found, Mr. Wilson having from the beginning enjoyed a liberal and constantly increasing patronage.

On the 7th of October, 1884, Mr. Wilson was married to Miss Hattie Williams, who was born in Feeding Hills, Massachusetts, an only daughter of J. Albert and Cornelia L. (Bidwell) Williams. Her father was a native of Connecticut and on the 9th of February, 1864, arrived in Washington, Iowa, where he established a boot and shoe business, in which he continued until his death. His widow still survives him and now lives with her daughter. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been bom three children: Lucy Gray, Nena Frances and Ruth Harriet. The parents are members of the Methodist church and Mr. Wilson is serving on the official board. In various activities of the church they are interested and are generous contributors to its support. Mr. Wilson is also a member of Washington Lodge, No. 26, A. F. & A. M.; Cyrus Chapter. R. A. M.: and Orion Lodge, No. 75, K. P. Polit-

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

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

CAPTAIN WILLIAM A. WILSON.

Captain William A. Wilson, now well known as a prominent stock-raiser and farmer, residing in Washington, started out in life for himself at the age of twenty-two years with a cash capital of but ten dollars. He began operating a rented farm and as the years have passed his well directed industry and capable management have brought him into prominent connections with the agricultural interests of southeastern Iowa.

He was born in Shelby county, Indiana, August 18, 1831, and is a sort of Allen and Henrietta (Dryden) Wilson. He comes of English ancestry m the paternal line, and Scotch on material side, although the family was founded in America at an early day. His grandfather, Ammon Wilson, was a native of the state of New York, where he followed farming for many years. He served his country as a soldier in the war of 1812 and was ever loyal to the best interests of his home locality, his state and nation. He lived to a ripe old age and reared a family that included Allen. Abijah. Abner, Ammon, Margaret and Lucy Wilson.

The maternal grandfather of Captain Wilson was William Dryden, a native of Ohio and a farmer by occupation. He, too, espoused the cause of the country in the second war with England. Both he and his wife, Mrs. Henrietta Dryden, lived to advanced years. Their family numbered six sons and six daughters, including Henrietta Dryden, who was born in Ohio and in early womanhood gave her hand in marriage to Allen Wilson, a native of New York. This worthy couple were the parents of Captain Wilson. The father devoted his life to general agricultural pursuits and on his removal from the Empire state established his home in Shelby county, Indiana, among its early settlers. He afterward removed to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1835 and there died in 1855 at the age of seventy-five years. His wife survived him for a long period and passed away in 1895. at the remarkable old age iif one hundreil and three years. She retained wonderful vigor to the last. walking three or four blocks the day prior to her death. She was a member of the Methodist church from early womanhood, while Mr. Wilson was reared in the Presbyterian faith. However, after his marriage he went with

PUBLIC LIBRARY j

HISTORY Ml WAllIXr.TOX COUXTY 325 his wife to the Methodist church. Unto them were born seven children, four sons and three (daughters: Sarah K., the deceased wife of Richard Shield; William A.; Chauncey B., deceased; Lovena, the wife of L. H. Woodard, of Clinton, Iowa; Jay, who has passed away; Allen, also deceased; and Louisa, the wife of John Stevens, of Mercer county, Illinois. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were married twice. The father had no children by his first marriage. After losing her husband Mrs. Henrietta Wilson became the wife of Noble L. Grimes, and they had two children, Rachel and Noble L.

Captain William A. Wilson was a little lad of but four years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois. His youthful days were spent on the home farm in Mercer county and in the district schools he mastered the common branches of learning. Ambitious for an education he would frequently sit up until midnight and read or study by the light of burning hickory bark. His days were filled with the work of the fields as he aided in plowing, planting and harvesting. When he left the parental roof at the age of twenty-two years and started out in life on his own account he had a cash capital of only ten dollars, but he possessed certain qualities which are indispensable to success: energy, industry and laudable ambition. His previous experiences, too, well qualified him for farm work, and, renting a tract of land, he thus engaged in farming for two years, after which be bought eighty acres of land in Mercer county, where he lived for three years. On disposing of that property he invested in one hundred and sixty acres, which he cultivated until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when, feeling that his duty to his country was paramount to all others, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for about three years. He went to the front as second lieutenant, was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant and later commissioned captain, while subsequently he was brevetted major. He took part in a number of hotly contested engagements, including the battles of Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Burnt Hickory, Kenesaw Mountain, the second battle of Lookout Mountain, Peach Tree Creek and the Atlanta campaign. He also participated in many of the long, hard marches and in all the campaigning that constitutes the life of the soldier on the field.

When the war was over Captain Wilson returned to Mercer county, Illinois, where he resumed farming which he conducted with notable success, making investments in land from time to time until he had accumulated nine hundred and sixty acres, when he disposed of his property in 1884 and removed to Lane county, Kansas. There he and his sons had five thousand acres of land, but the hot winds destroyed their crops and, disposing of his farm, Mr. Wilson purchased forty teams and aided in building the Missouri Pacific Railroad and the extension of the Rock Island road to Colorado. He was likewise engaged in the construction of a road from Garden City, Kansas, to the line of the Missouri Pacific. A private company was engaged in that enterprise and through its failure Captain Wilson lost six thousand dollars, which he has never recovered. In 1889 he came to Washington county, I'wa, having traded his Kansas land for three farms in this locality, two in

Highland township comprising two hundred and eighty acres, and one in Marion township of one hundred and twenty acres. Bending his energies to their further cultivation and development he was busily employed in the work of improving those properties until 1903, when he sold out and purchased the Brockway farm of four hundred acres in Highland township. His son Sheridan was his partner in that deal and they still own the farm. Since 1903, however, Captain Wilson has made his home in Washington.

On the 24th of September. 1857, Captain Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Keziah Woodward, a daughter of Lofland H. and Keziah Woodward. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson became parents of eight sons and three daughters: Allen J., now deceased, married Emma Clark and had two children, one of whom, Fred, survives; Edward S., wedded Cassie Willets; Dick Yates, who for four years was clerk of Republic county, Kansas, and chief clerk of the state assembly for two terms and is now living in Chattanooga. Oklahoma, wedded Mary Puckett and they have six living children. Louisa, Flo, Alberta. Dick Yates. Ressa and Mary Alice: Ressa is the wife of Bert Willits, of this county, and they have six children, Edward, Cloyd, Grace, Rov, Glenn and Stella; Sheridan, who operates the home farm, married Maggie Brady, who died leaving four children, William P.. Dick Y.. Louisa and Edward, and after her death he married Ola Crone, by whom he iia> three children, Alice. Fay and Merle: John S., who was county recorder of 'alligton county ffir four years and now resides in the citv of 'asliingtoii. married Eva Palmer and has five children. Elizabeth, Leila. Palmer, Frances and Helen; Harvey P., who follows farming in Jackson township, wedded Mary Logue and has three children, Ressa, Glenn and Harold; Louie and Gracie both died in childhood; Bert M., formerly a farmer and now an auctioneer of Alberta, Canada, married Maud Fordyce and has four children, Eilene, Madge, Jay and Max; and Frank M., a resident farmer of Highland township, married Delia Owens and has three children, Mabel, Oma and Mildred. Mrs. Keziah Wilson, the mother of this family, who was born October 28, 1841, died May 7, 1884.

On the 18th of August, 1885, Captain Wilson was again married, his second union being with Miss Emma Hagan, a native of Highland township, Washington county, Iowa, and a daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Leffler) Hagan, who were natives of Germany. The mother was brought to this country when four years of age and was reared and married in this county. Mr. Hagan came to this county when a young man. There were four children of that marriage, all of whom died in infancy with the exception of Mrs. Wilson. The mother died in 1867 when Mrs. Wilson was four years old and she was reared by her maternal grandparents. Her father died in 1893 at the age of sixty-two years. Unto Captain and Mrs. Wilson two children have been born: Emma, who died in infancy; and Ruth Schley.

The parents are members of the Methodist church, and Captain Wilson belongs to the Masonic lodge and to the Grand Army of the Republic. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, and while in Mercer county, Illinois, he served as county commissioner for twenty years. While he has met with.some reverses in life he has never allowed himself to be-

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

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