In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1862
From History of Adair County, Iowa, and its people (1915)
FRANK B. WILSON.
Frank B. Wilson, the present postmaster of Greenfield, and also a member of the local bar, is widely and favorably known in Adair county. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, March 8, 1862/ a son of James S. Wilson, who was born in Londonderry, Ireland, in 1823, and /who after his emigration to the United States thoroughly identified his interests with those of his adopted country. In 1862 he went to the defense of the Union, enlisting in September of that year with the rank of first lieutenant in the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Infantry Regiment of the New York State Volunteers. At the expiration of his term of enlistment he reenlisted with the same rank and served until the close of the war. His son still has his discharge papers, which were dated June 19, 1865, and were signed at Richmond, Virginia. He was by occupation a blacksmith and was an excellent workman. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Harney, was born at Roxbury, in the vicinity of Boston. To their union were born seven children, namely, Elizabeth, Thomas, Emma, Margaret, Stella, Joseph and Frank B., who is the only one living.
Frank B. Wilson attended the public schools of New York city until 1876 and then, at the age of fourteen years, went to sea, remaining in the merchant service for three years. At the end of that time he located in Orange county. New York, and for four years was employed at farm work. In 1886 he came to Adair county, Iowa, and for eight years taught school in this and Guthrie counties. In the meantime he began his legal study, reading law with C. S. Fogg at Stuart and afterward with J. G. Culver of Greenfield. He was admitted to the bar in June, 1894, and opened an office for the practice of his profession in Greenfield, where he has since remained. He gave his entire time to his work as an attorney until January 30, 1915, when he was appointed postmaster of the city, in which capacity he is now serving.
Mr. Wilson was married on the 22d of May, 1900, at Alvin, Texas, to Miss Cebe M. Hulbert, who was born in Adair county and is a daughter of J. S. Hulbert. Her mother is deceased but her father survives and makes his home at Nampa, Idaho. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born five children: Selden H., Dorothy B. and Mary V., all in school; Harriet V.; and Frances B., deceased.
Mr. Wilson is a democrat and has always been loyal in his support of the candidates and measures of that party, believing firmly in the wisdom of its principles. His fraternal associations are with the Elks and the Knights of Pythias.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
As printed in History of Adair County, Iowa, and its people (1915). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1915. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.