Isaac N. Wilson

As printed in 1910

ISAAC N. WILSON.

In a history of Henry county there can be found the record of no man who is more highly respected or more justly deserves the esteem in which he is held than of Isaac N. Wilson, For many years he was closely associated with the work of public progress and improvement and also with the business development of the county. He is now living retired in Geneseo, enjoying well earned rest, which is the result of his former toil. He was born in Washington county, New York, on the east side of the Hudson river, near the Vermont line. May 7, 1824, his parents being Isaac and Phoebe (Temple) Wilson. The father, who was a native of New York, was a son of Lieutenant James Wilson, who was born in Greenwich, Rhode Island, and was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, participating in the battle of Saratoga and in other important engagements which led to the final victory that crowned the American arms. On the 29th of May, 1776, he married Martha Hopkins. His death occurred when he had reached the age of seventy-six years while his wife was about ninety years of age at the time of her demise. The Wilsons were of Scotch-Irish descent but, as is indicated, the family was established in this country in early colonial days.

Isaac Wilson, the father of him whose name introduces this review, devoted his life to the occupation of farming and for many years continued a resident of New York. He married Miss Phoebe Temple, who was born at Hillsboro in the

ISAAC N. WILSOX town of Antrim, New Hampshire, her father being farmer of that state. They began their domestic Hfe upon a farm in New York and for many years Mr. Wilson was identified with agricultural interests in the east but finally followed his children to the west and took up his above upon a farm near Geneseo. Later he removed to the town where he passed away in the '70s, having survived his wife for only a week. Both died of pneumonia. They were members of the Presbyterian church and people of the highest respectability, honored wherever known and most of all where they were best known. Mr. Wilson had served as police magistrate for several years in Washington county. New York, and had also filled the office of supervisor. Unto him and his wife were born seven children but only two are now living. David Wilson, the youngest of the family, resides near the old homestead at Hebron, Washington county, New York.

Isaac N. Wilson spent his youthful days on his father's farm in Washington county and attended the district schools, later supplementing his preliminary education by study in an academy in western New York. He remained at home until he had attained his majority and was busily employed in the work of the fields, receiving thus the practical business training which well qualified him for the duties that devolved upon him when he started out in life on his own account. In March, 1854, he arrived in Geneseo, traveling over the Rock Island railroad, which had been but recently completed, the first train reaching this city on the 22d of February, of that year. Here Mr. Wilson became connected with the grain business as a representative of a Chicago house and as his industry and careful expenditure brought him sufficient capital, he invested in land, purchasing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Munson township. He held that property for a few years and then sold it, after which he formed a partnership with James McBroom and purchased an elevator. They were together for many years or until the death of Mr. McBroom which occurred in February, 1895. They also handled live stock, both cattle and hogs. As the years passed their business was crowned with a gratifying measure of success such as always follows unfaltering perseverance, unabating energy and untiring diligence. Moreover in all of his business dealings Mr. Wilson was thoroughly reliable, ever regarding honesty as the best policy.

On the 26th of December, 1885, Mr. Wilson was married in New York to Miss Ann Eliza Joslin, a daughter of William and Ann (Stevens) Josiin, having returned to the Empire state for his bride. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were born five children: Ida, who died when eighteen years of age; Frankie, who died in infancy; Eugene, of Exira, Iowa; who married Jennie M. Bliss, who died in 1904. leaving a son, Irving Newton, while after her demise he wedded Belle Lancelot; Edward Newton, who married Elma Henney and lives in Wausau. Nebraska; and Emily Eliza, the wife of Fred L. Smith, a merchant of Geneseo, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. The wife and mother died March 4, 1886, at the age of fifty-six years. She was a member of the Presbyterian church and an earnest Christian woman, whose many good qualities endeared her to all with whom she came in contact, so that her death was the occasion of deep regret not only to her immediate family but also to her many friends.

Mr. Wilson was one of the charter members of the first Odd Fellows lodge in Geneseo. In politics he has been a stalwart republican since the organization of the party. He became a member of the first board of supervisors of the county and was chairman of the board when the present courthouse was built. He is now the only surviving member of that first board and was one of the oldest citizens of the county, having for more than a half century been a witness of the growth and development of Geneseo and this part of the state. The only brick building in the town when Mr. Wilson came here was the old seminary west of the Congregational church. He built his present home in 1863 which he has since altered and improved, it being one of the substantial and attractive old residences of the city. Mr. Wilson is undoubtedly one of the best known residents of Geneseo, gaining a wide acquaintance in the years of his long business activity in the city. His characteristics, too, have been such as have won him friendship and regard and now in the evening of life he receives the veneration and esteem which should ever be accorded those who have traveled far on life's journey.

As printed in History of Henry County, Illinois (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.