Hiram Wilson

As printed in 1906

HIRAM WILSON, engaged in raising fruit and asparagus at St. Joseph, was born in this city June 10, 1850. His father, Simeon C. Wilson, was a native of Canaan, New Hampshire born November 21, 181 8, and his boyhood and youth were passed in the old Granite state, where he acquired his education. Coming to Michigan at an early day he was married in St. Joseph on the twenty-third anniversary of his birth — in the year 1841 — to Miss Lydia C. Kingsley, who was born in Swansea, Massachusetts, February 17, 1822. About 1840, when eighteen years of age, she came to Berrien county with her parents, Barton and Lorane (Paul) Kingsley, who settled in St. Joseph. Within the year they passed away, there being only eight days difference in the time of their deaths.

During the long years of his residence in this county Mr. Wilson was identified with many business enterprises. In 1850 he went to California, attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific coast. Following his return he conducted a hotel in 1853 at the corner of State and Ship streets. It was called the American and was the only hotel in St. Joseph at that time. In January, 1856, he removed to what is known as the old Wilson homestead in the south part of the city and here resided continuously until his demise, although at different times he made trips elsewhere. While in California he had gotten the idea of a grout building and in 1852 he erected his residence in accordance with that plan. The home still stands in as good preservation as in the beginning and is one of the landmarks of this part of the county. The residence was erected in octagonal form with pillars at each corner, extending from the ground to the roof. The rooms are also octagonal and the building was constructed upon a plan made by Mr. Wilson. The house is most convenient in its arrangement and became one of the notable architectural features of the locality. It continued to be his home for twenty years. He was also a great entertained, keeping open house and friend and stranger alike enjoyed his hospitality. In 1859 he visited Pike's Peak, but three years before this time had located upon his present farm. He cleared all of the tract and planted it to fruit, mostly apples, but he did not live to gather crops from his orchards. About the time of the Civil war he was engaged in the grocery business, in which he continued for lour or five years, being located at the corner now occupied by Sopker's clothing store. He also owned quite a tract of land in the heart of St. Joseph, which is now valued at thousands of dollars. This he exchanged about 1868 for thirty acres south of St. Joseph and there made his home.

Mr. Wilson was deeply interested in everything that tertained to the welfare and progress of the community and co-operated in many movements for the general good, giving his active aid and support to all plans that were formulated to advance the general welfare. He attended the Universalist church and aided in building a brick house of worship but the congregation never had a resident pastor. He was a man of domestic tastes, finding his greatest pleasure at his own fireside in the midst of his family. He was also a great reader and kept well informed on all current questions.

All who knew him respected him for his genuine worth, his reliability in business, his kindliness and congeniality. He stood as a high type of the worthy pioneer settler, whose efforts were of lasting benefit to the community. He passed away February 22, 1874, and his widow long survived him, residing at the old home, her death there occurring September 28, 1899.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Simeon C. Wilson were born five children, of whom two died in early youth,. while three reached* mature years, these being Jeremiah, Hiram and Angle, who is the wife of William Howard and resides at the old home. Jeremiah remained upon the farm with his brother and sister and never married. He died about four months after the mother's death, when fifty-five years of age. He was a very prominent Odd Fellow, active in the work of the order and passed all of the chairs in the local lodge. He also spent two years as conductor on the railroad before his father died.

Hiram Wilson was born in St. Joseph during the father's absence in California and the old home in which his birth occurred is still standing. He has always lived upon the farm and his life has been devoted to general agricultural and horticultural pursuits. He and his brother wished to keep the family intact and did so even after the sister was married, no division occurring until subsequent to the mother's death, when the property was divided, the sister receiving the home and five acres of land, while Hiram came into possession of fifteen acres and Jeremiah of ten acres.

Hiram Wilson was married at the age of twenty years to Miss Hattie Myers, a native of Vermont, who died in 1884 leaving two sons, Harry and Ralph, both of whom are in Chicago. The latter is an expert chef and the former is with Sears & Roebuck in the office of the paper manufacturing department. Two years after losing his first wife Mr. Wilson married Eva Hughson, whose family has resided in St. Joseph for thirty years. Her father, Joseph Hughson, was a photographer of this city and her brother now conducts the business. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilson has been born a daughter, Frances, who graduated from the high school of St. Joseph in the class of 1906 at the age of seventeen years and she has won considerable local note as a debater.

Mr. Wilson owns twenty acres of land all planted to fruit and asparagus and annually harvests good crops of each, receiving therefrom a good financial return as they find a ready sale on the market. His business interests are carefully conducted and his practical methods are resultant factors in his success. In politics he is a Republican and is now serving as alderman in St. Joseph.

As printed in A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.