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 1804, Philadelphia County
From The history of Buchanan County, Missouri (1881)
R. WILSON, proprietor of the box factory, was born in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, April 20, 1804, and after living in different parts until 1855, we find him at Keokuk, Iowa. His boyhood days had been spent on a farm, but after attaining manhood, he learned the milling business of his father, William, who followed that profession. Arriving at Keokuk, he engaged in the sash factory business, continuing for a number of years, and for a time represented the manufacturing company on the road. In 1869, he came to St. Joseph, engaging in his present business, which has been very successful, and in which he receives the hearty endorsement of the wholesale interest of the city by furnishing them boxes at a reasonable rate. In 1879, ' was burned out, suffering a heavy loss. In 1829, Miss Lucinda Douglass became his wife. For fifty-two years they have lived harmoniously, and are still hale and hearty. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are active members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Wilson, politically, has been a life long Republican.
As printed in The history of Buchanan County, Missouri (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.