Stephen S. Wilson

As printed in 1914

STEPHEN S. WILSON.

Stephen S. Wilson is one of that steadily decreasing company of veterans, who in their youth offered their strength and their lives if need be to secure the perpetuity of the LInion. He has resided in this county for twenty-four years and holds the unreserved respect of those who know him. His paternal grandfather, James F. Wilson, came from England and first settled in Virginia, being one of the early residents of that state and later removing to Kentuckv when it was on the western frontier. His son, James F., Jr., was born in Kentucky and was a farmer by occupation. He married Elizabeth Stewart, likewise a native of the Bluegrass state, and later removed to Illinois, where both he and his wife passed away. Both were laid to rest at Carthage.

ilk. AND ilRS. STEPHEN S. WILSON

Their son, Stephen S. Wilson, was born in the heart of the Bluegrass country, at Lexington, Kentucky, July 17, 1842, and spent the first six years of his life there. He was then taken by his parents to Hancock county, Illinois, where the father purchased land and where the subject of this review grew to manhood. He attended the public schools until he reached the age of seventeen, assisting his father on the home farm when not in school. When a youth of seventeen years he begun working for the neighboring farmers and so continued until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted at Carthage as a private in Company D, Sixteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He proved an excellent soldier and his ability and bravery won him pro motion to color sergeant at the battle of Atlanta. He served until the close of the war in the Army of the Tennessee and was slightly wounded several times, but never seriously. After the cessation of hostilities he returned home, where he remained until 1886. In that year he removed to Clark county, Kansas, where he engaged in the drug business and later in the grocery business. He left there in 1888, going to Huntington, Arkansas, which remained his home until 1890, when he came to Keokuk and engaged in farming and dairying until 1894. He then concentrated his attention upon the dairy business, 'which proved very successful, and he gained a reputation for supplying milk rich in its percentage of cream and of unquestioned purity. In 1910 he retired from active business life and is now enjoying the leisure to which his former years of labor entitle him. He owns considerable property, including his comfortable residence.

Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Arabella F. Brockman, of Carthage, Illinois, in 1869, and she passed away in 1871, leaving a daughter, Lela B., now deceased. The father was married in August, 1873, to Mrs. Leah Johnson, nee Pickens, a native of Barbour county. West Virginia, born April 9, 1842, a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Reger) Pickens. She was first married to Levi Johnson.

Mr. Wilson is an active and prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, having served in all the official positions and as chairman of the board. He has been a charter member of three different Grand Army posts and is today connected with Torrence Post, in which he has filled all of the offices. He is a Knight Templar Mason, having taken the degrees of the blue lodge, chapter and commandery, and is now past master of his lodge. Both he and his wife are charter members of the Eastern Star chapter of Keokuk and he has served as patron. They have been delegates to the grand lodge several times. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has passed through all the chairs of that lodge. His political support is given the republican party and his fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to various official positions. While a resident of Illinois he served as chairman of the county central committee and was a member of the city council of Carthage and also assessor.

As printed in Story of Lee County, Iowa; (1914). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.