Thomas Wilson

As printed in 1887

THOMAS WILSON, deceased. This gentleman was one of Linn County's most valued citizens, whose place it will be difficult to fill. He died at his home in College Township, May 25, 1872, at the age of fifty-six years. His name was a familiar one throughout the county, he having been more than ordinarily successful, and a man whose character was above reproach. He was an earnest and sincere Christian, and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which organization he was identified for many years, both as a lay member and an officer, and holding other positions of responsibility and trust. To this society his death is an almost irreparable loss, for he was looked up to in confidence as a wise counselor and disinterested friend.

Thomas Wilson was born May 5, 1815, and was a native of New Jersey. The name of his father was John Wilson; he was a native of New England, and his ancestry were natives of this country for at least the space of three centuries, and farther back trace their lineage to Scotland. John Wilson contracted a matrimonial alliance with a New Jersey lady, Miss Elizabeth Martin, by whom he became the father of eleven children, Thomas Wilson, the subject of our sketch, being the fifth in order of birth. They carried on the peaceful occupation of agriculture, and when Thomas was a child of three 3'ears his parents cast their eyes westward and determined to seek their fortunes among the hills of the Buckeye State. They selected Belmont County for their location, and upon a farm there followed their vocation for a number of years. Previous to his marriage, the father was a member of the Quaker community, but marrying outside of the community, was obliged to surrender his claims as a member of this organization. He lived to a good old age, and his life terminated in Belmont County, as did also that of the mother, when she was well stricken in years.

Thomas Wilson remained with his parents in Belmont County until his marriage, which occurred Aug. 15, 1842, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah Livingston. She was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Fayette County, Nov. 8, 1815. When seven years of age, she came with her parents to Ohio, and they settled in Belmont County while the country in that vicinity was but a wilderness. The land was covered with a growth of heavy timber, and wild game was plentiful. This, however, suited the disposition of her family, who were peculiarly quiet in their tastes, and they really enjoyed the solitude amid which they lived. The father of Mis. Wilson was Cyrus Livingston, and the maiden name of her mother, Berthenia Taylor. The latter, like her husband, was born and reared in Pennsylvania. She came to Ohio with her husband, and died in Belmont County, Sept. 7, 1844. After her decease the father came west, making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Wilson, where he died in 180.3, at the age of nearly seventy-eight 3'ears.

Mrs. Wilson lived under the parental roof, assisting in the home duties, until her marriage with

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Si our subject. She came west with her husband in March, 1851, the trip being made partly by water and partly overland. Mr. Wilson purchased of the Government 160 acres of land, and this constituted the homestead where he passed his life, and where his decease took place. It was a wild and unbroken tract of land when he took possession of it. Their neighbors were few and far between, and Mr. Wilson broke the first land on section 15, in this township. The site was then near what was designated as Pilot Grove, a high ridge of land, which constituted a mark or " pilot " for the early traveler through the county, and in the early days was frequently occupied as a camping-place by the Indians. Mr. Wilson was compelled to haul his lumber a great distance to build his first house, steam mills being then almost unknown, and the country over which he came nearly pathless. From its wild and primitive condition, he lived to see a prosperous community grow up an mud him, and the march of civilization not only approaching him, but, in the course of time, passing far beyond. He was well fitted for the duties and obligations of a pioneer, for upon the men who first made settle-

Bment in this wild country depended the extent and rapidity of its growth and progress. He industriously labored to improve his farm, and increased his acreage as time progressed and his means permitted. The location proved a fortunate one, and the homestead is now surrounded by other fine farms and all the evidences of modern thrift and luxury.

Eight children came to brighten the home of this worthy pair, only three of whom survived to be a comfort to their parents. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Wilson has resided with her son John, who is now the main possessor of the homestead. This kindly old lady retains her physical and mental powers to a remarkable degree, and is regarded with warm and kindly affection by the friends and neighbors among whom she has passed the greater part of her life. Of her children, John M. was reared under the parental roof, and educated at Western College, in College Township. He remained at home until his marriage with Miss Ellen R. Eastman, which occurred Sept. 9, 1870. She was a native of Washington County, Ohio, born Feb. 14, 1845. At the age of nine years she came with her parents to Linn County. Her father, Timothy It. Eastman, was born in Windsor County, Vt., in 1807, and removed with his mother and her family to Morgan County, Ohio, the death of his father having occurred when he was a child of two years old. At that early day the facilities for education were very limited, but the mother early discovered that her son was inclined to be studious, and she accordingly encouraged this taste by every means in her power. He traveled long distances to the nearest schools, where he spent the day, and at night, by the light of burning pine knots, pursued his studies, which in time became of a highly scientific nature. In his reading he developed a taste for the very best books which could be obtained, embracing history, philosophy, and biographies of the good and great. Arriving at the age of manhood, he married Miss Elizabeth Gould, a descendant from the celebrated Alden family, who came over with the Pilgrim Fathers in the Mayflower. She was born in Marietta, Ohio, and for many years was a teacher in the public schools of that place. Of this genial union were born twelve children, seven of whom followed in the footsteps of their parents and became accomplished teachers. Under the early encouragement of his mother, and the later encouragement of an accomplished and refined wife, Mr. Eastman became a finely educated man, a teacher, and for two years Superintendent of the Schools of Linn County. He was a Normal instructor, and taught in the various institutes where the teachers of the county assembled to receive instruction in the best methods" of conducting the institutions of learning in the various country districts. This gentleman died in Marion in 1876. He was a man of influence in his community, and highly respected both for his cultivation of mind and his genial disposition. The accomplished wife of this gentleman survived her husband but three years, dying in 1879. Mrs. Wilson received her education under the careful instruction of her father, and by her accomplishments does great honor to her revered teacher. At the age of sixteen years she became engaged as a teacher, which calling she pursued successfully for thirty terms. She was considered a most excel-

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

The remaining members of the family are, Phillip M., who now resides in Humboldt, and is engaged in the livery business; he married Miss Carrie Benjamin. Robert R. is a newspaper man, and editor of the Aurora at Avalon, Mo.; he was united in marriage with Miss Alice Singley. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and this son is a Democrat in politics.

As printed in Portrait and biographical album of Linn County, Iowa (1887). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.