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 1847
From Biographical review of Lee County, Iowa; (1905)
JAMES X. WILSON.
For more than seventy years the Wilson family has been associated with the annals of Lee county, Iowa, and during that long period its record has been an honorable one. Its various members have been noted for their industry and integrity; and while these characteristics have given them standing in the business circles of the community, their kindly disposition and general good fellowship have made and retained for them a host of friends. Men can not live the friendly life without finding friends; and those who live neighbors, find neighbors everywhere. "We see what we are." The Wilsons have been good neighbors, kind friends and honorable men for long years, and they have delighted in the friends they found and the neighbors that abounded.
While these principles are true of all, they seem especially illustrated in the career of the Wilson whose name heads this article.
James X. 'wilson, son of Thomas and Mary Gilkey (Justice) Wilson, was born on the farm where he is now living. February 13, 1847. His education was secured in the local schools, and he was reared a farmer. In politics he was a Democrat, and at one time served as trustee. In religion he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has led a consistent ("christian life.
Mr. Wilson was married October 7, 1870. to Miss Hannah Elizabeth, daughter of Granville and Adaline (Langford) ' Arnold, a union that has proved in every wa happy and fortunate. It has been blessed by the birth of four children: Clayborn, Elnuis. Rhoda Elzira, Sabert C. and Susan, all of whom are now living. Mrs. Wilson died October 8, 1899, and Mr. Wilson was married again, February 24, 1904, when Esther Susanna Cogburn became his wife. She is a daughter af Abner and Elizabeth (Byers) Cogburn. and the widow of Tames Henr' Mason, by whom she had two children: Alonzo. who died when seventeen months old, and Laura Isabelle.
Thomas Wilson, the father of James X., came to Lee county from Hancock county. Illinois, in 1833, having previously lived in Missouri. Mr. Wilson secured a quarter section of land by government entry, and preceded to improve it as a farm home. Hughey Wilson, the father of Thomas, also took up land, and the entire tract of land as secured by father and son is now held by the two Wilsons, James X. and Thomas Valentine, both of whom are hard-working
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.
The printed record stops around 1905. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.