O. F. Wilson

As printed in 1910

O. F. WILSON.

Each man who strives to fulfill his mission in life is deserving of recognition, whatever may be his field of endeavor, and it is the function of works of this nature to perpetuate for future generations an authentic record concerning those represented in its pages whose lives are worthy of emulation, like that of the subject of this sketch.

O. F. Wilson is a native of the state of Iowa, having first seen the light of day in Bremer county in 1860. He is the son of J. E. and Elizabeth (McElroy) Wilson, both of whom are natives of Ohio, but who in an early day removed from that state to Illinois, subsequently removing to Bremer county. Iowa, where the father successfully carried on agricultural pursuits. I11 the spring of 1866 the family came to Nodaway county, locating near where now stands the thriving town of Burlington Junction. Buying a tract of land, the father there carried on farming operations until seven or eight years ago, and then retired from active labor. He was energetic and progressive and at one time operated nine hundred acres of land, to which he gave his entire attention, carrying on general farming and stock feeding.

To J. E. and Elizabeth Wilson were born six children, of whom four are living. Politically. Mr. Wilson is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is an appreciative member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

O. F. Wilson was reared on the parental farmstead and secured his preliminary education in the public schools, supplementing this by attendance at the Maryville Academy, under Prof. A. D. Workman. During the following three years he was engaged in teaching school, in which he was successful, but he wisely concluded that the life of a farmer offered better opportunities for a young man of energy and ambition, and he took up the operation of the home farm. He now operates about six hundred acres of his own in partnership with his father, raising all the crops common to this section of the country, and also gives considerable attention to the feeding of stock, meeting with a gratifying measure of success in both lines of effort. In 1904 Mr. Wilson removed to the town of Burlington Junction, where he is now residing, though still giving due attention to his landed interests. He has been thoroughly practical and up-to-date in his methods and has kept closely in touch with the most advanced ideas relating to the science of husbandry, being considered one of the leading farmers of his section of the county.

In 1892 Mr. Wilson was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Ada B. Kester, formerly of Marcellus, Michigan, and they have become the parents of one son, Harry Turner.

In his political views Mr. Wilson is in accord with the platform of the Democratic party and takes an intelligent interest in the trend of current public affairs, though not a seeker after public office. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, in which he has attained to the degrees of Royal Arch Mason and Knight Templar in the York rite, being also a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a man of genial personality, makes friends easily, and is esteemed highly by all who know him.

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