George Wilson

As printed in 1905

GEORGE WILSON.

In so new a country as the world west of the rolling waters of the Mississippi may be considered, it is somewhat difficult to form a proper idea of how young the old families may be. Such a term in Europe would mean hundreds of years, and many generations in New England. In Lee county it means perhaps the span, or less than that, of a human life. It is measured by what has been done rather than by what time has been required in the doing of it. Judged in this way, the Wilsons and the Drollingcrs are old families. They have seen a wonder-working in the planting of civilization in the wilderness accomplished, and in the doing of it they also helped.

George Wilson, the son of Hugh and Susan (Skyles) Wilson, was born on the banks of the Cumberland river in Tennessee, in 1809, and coming to Lee county in 1834, secured a tract of government land comprising 160 acres. From time to time he added to this until he owned 400 acres. His marriage occurred in Schuyler county, Illinois, July 22, 1832, and his wife died June 2, 1878, and he, March 20, 1891. Their eleven children were as follows: James, Susan, Elizabeth, Sarah, Jane, Louisa, George, Hannah, John and others who died in infancy. George Wilson was a Democrat and a member of the Methodist church. He bore arms in the Black Hawk War, and was remembered by those who knew him best and in his prime as a man of resolution and activity.

The Drollinger F.\mily came to Lee county from Illinois and settled on the place which has been the family.homestead since their marriage. Of this family all are now deceased with the exception of Benjamin Wesley, who is a son of Samuel and Rachel (Cook) Drollinger. He was born in Indiana December 4, 1830, where he was reared to the life of a farmer. His marriage to Miss Susan Laura Wilson occurred December 14, 1 85 1. She was born in Commerce, Illinois, January 13. 1834. and was brought into Iowa when only three months old. Here she has since maintained her home. To this union have come nine children: George Monroe; Burrle Perry; Rachel Rebecca, who died at the age of four years; Emma Louise; Laura Caroline, who died at the age of two years; Frances Ellen; Mary Malvina; Benjamin Franklin, and Anna Luticia.

Mr. Drollinger is a Democrat, and has filled the office of treasurer for this district for the last twenty-five years. He is a man of whom good things are said, and is highly respected by the friends and neighbors of the commvmity in which his peaceful life is passing. He is a member of the United Brethren church, where his honest character, upright dealing and truthful spirit gave strength to his religious profession.

Moses Justice, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Drollinger, was a veteran of the Revolutionary War and lived to be loi years old.

As printed in Biographical review of Lee County, Iowa; (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.