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 1837
From The history of Nodaway county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens (1882)
THOMAS WILSON, proprietor of the Mill Creek Mill. Among the experienced and familiarly known millers in the State of Missouri, is the subject of the following sketch. He is a native of Vermillion County, Illinois, and was born December 6, 1837. While a child he moved with his parents to Warren Count\% Indiana, and when fourteen years old he began in his present occupation, which he followed till 1862. By this time he had returned to Illinois, having grown to manhood. During the beginning of the war he was in the independent service for three months, or till after the draft was over, when by the influence of his most intimate comrades he joined the Ku Klux. While in an old house in a field one evening taking their oaths there seemed to be more masters than Ku Klux; therefore, he and others were taken prisoners, but by having to pass through a desolate slough, he and his partner by their shrewdness free themselves. Mr. W. then started for Missouri in the year 1862. He located on a farm in Gentry County, where for three years he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, but not being suited to that business, he returned to his chosen calling, which he has since continued. In 1879, ile came to his present location, and since then has been doing a thriving business, as the Mill Creek Mill is well known in this section of the country. In the year 188 1, he replaced the old mill with a new one, which now compares favorably with any in Northwest Missouri. It is situated within three-quarters of a mile of the thriving town of Elmo, which is destined to become a city of some note, being surrounded by a wealthy country. Mr. Wilson has been twice married. His first marriage occurred in the year [865, to Miss Rachel Martin, who died in November, 1873. He took for his second wife Melvina Cramer, the date of this marriage being 1875. By this union they- have two children: Martha and one infant son. Mr. \V. is a member of the Baptist Church, and Mrs. W. of the Catholic Church.
As printed in The history of Nodaway county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1882. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.