William Henry Wilson

As printed in 1910

WILLIAM HENRY WILSON.

William Henry Wilson is the owner of a fine farm on section 30, Geneseo township. The land is rolling and the soil is naturally rich and productive. The place comprises almost one hundred and sixty-four acres, and, thereon Mr. Wilson is engaged in general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of the breeding of thoroughbred shorthorn cattle and thoroughbred poultry. He is also well known in connection with the cultivation of seed corn and in the various branches is meeting with success, which is the merited reward of his labors. He is one of Henry county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Munson township, February 19, 1863, his parents being Abner and Elizabeth (Larue) Wilson. The father was born at West Amwell, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, May 31, 1823, and there spent the days of his boyhood and youth. He was married there December 18, 1847, to Miss Elizabeth Larue and in 1856 came to Illinois, accompanied by his family. Soon after his arrival he purchased land and for a time resided in Geneseo township, but later sold that property and removed to Munson township, where he resided for a few years. He then returned to Geneseo township and purchased a farm, upon which his son William H. now resides. He was an enterprising agriculturist, whose methods were at once practical and progressive and brought to him substantial success. In his political views he was republican, but was never an office seeker. The Methodist Episcopal church found in him a zealous member and his life was in consistent harmony with its principles. His wife was also a native of Hunterdon county. New Jersey, born November 23, 1825. She was reared in the Baptist faith, but after her marriage joined the Methodist Episcopal church that she might be with her husband in his religious belief. She died July ii, 1881, and the graves of both Mr. and Mrs. Abner Wilson were made in Oakwood cemetery of Geneseo. Their family numbered six children: Howard J., who died June 10, 1870; Arabella, the wife of T. H. Clark, a resident of Los Angeles, CaHfornia; Rebecca E., the wife of William Duff, a resident of Edford township; John W., who died in infancy; William H.; and Albert W., who married Cora Stimpson, died in Geneseo township on the 17th of March, 1902.

In his youthful days William Henry pursued his education in the public schools and was also trained to the work of the fields while spending his boyhood under his father's roof. He remained at home until about twenty years of age, when he started upon the road as a traveling salesman. He represented different firms and traveled throughout the New England states. New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia,West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Kansas, Colorado and Oklahoma. In 1889 while in Meriden, Connecticut, he formed the acquaintance of Miss Agnes Hall of Island Pond, Essex county, Vermont, and on the 31st of January, 1891, they were married at her home in the Green Mountain state. Mrs. Wilson is a daughter of Austin and Semantha (Stevens) Hall. Her father was born in Water ford, Vermont, October 31, 1840, and died at Island Pond, that state, April 24, 1900. He was a member of the military order of the Loyal Legion, which at his death issued the following memorial:

"Companion Hall was born in the town of Waterford, Vermont, October 31, 1840, his parents being Ransom and Annie (Caswell) Hall. Of his early life and training your committee has not succeeded in getting any definite information, but no doubt he had a good business education, from the admirable manner in which his duties as regimental adjutant and officer of the customs were performed.

"He enlisted June 20, 1861, as a private in Company D, Third Vermont Volunteers, was promoted sergeant July 16, 1861 and was mustered out with his regiment as first sergeant July 27, 1864. He immediately reenlisted and was commissioned first lieutenant of Company I, of the same regiment, July 28, 1864. On the 18th of October, 1864, he was appointed adjutant of the regiment, which position he held until the close of the war. He was mustered out of service July 11, 1865. He participated in the battles of Lewinsville, Lee's Mills, Savage Station, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Marye's Heights, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cedar Creek and around Petersburg. He was wounded in the left shoulder by a mine ball at Marye's Heights, May 3, 1863, and at Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864, was again wounded, a bullet passing through his right hand.

"Companion Hall was married June 22, 1869, to Miss Semantha E. Stevens, by whom he had two daughters, Agnes Hall Wilson and Rena B. Hall, who with his wife, survive him.

"Soon after the close of the war he received an appointment in the customs service at Island Pond, where he remained until within a few days of his death, except during the administration of President Cleveland. When not engaged in the customs service he occupied himself in farming and the breeding and training of horses at his farm near the village of Island Pond.

"He was of medium size, fair complexion, soldierly bearing, a brave, competent, reliable soldier, and always in his place. His duties as regimental adjutant were faultlessly performed. He was always cheerful, pleasant and companionable; of easy approach, an enthusiastic optimist, but of positive and uncompromising integrity. As a gentleman and a soldier his character was above reproach.

"In conclusion, we quote the following from an obituary notice of Companion Hall, written by Ex-lieutenant Governor Dale of Island Pond, who was a personal acquaintance: 'As a man he was blithe, and of that various humor that on occasion (and he never let one go by) he was just the man to cheer up a heavy time or give eclat to a lively one. Like all such nature he exhibited nervous relaxation, almost to austerity, but which quickly gave way to bright returns of cheerfulness and snap and jest and lively and humorous conditions. In body and mind he was tasty, agile and faithful in active and efficient resources and devotion to friends and contemptuous of unfriendliness. His designs were clean cut and developed with care, vigilance and thoroughness. He was watchful of the comfort and care of his family, his friends and his business, even to anxiety. He was a valued member of the Masonic fraternity and the Grand Army of the Republic, managing the financial affairs of the former for a great many years with absolute exactness. He was a worker, always zealous and prompt, spurning negligence, rebuking indolence, adjusting irregularities and touching up the electrical currents of the order. A long time in the customs service, his work for neatness, dispatch and accuracy was excelled by that of no other man who has ever been engaged in such work at this port."

Following the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson they spent a year in Rhode Island, Mr. Wilson at that time being still upon the road as a representative of the baking-powder business. Later he traveled in Massachusetts and New York and in 1892 returned to Henry county, where he took up the occupation of farming, renting land from his father. When but a boy he had purchased a thoroughbred heifer and had started his father in the business of breeding and raising fine cattle. After taking up the farm work again he turned his attention to live stock and is now well known as a breeder of thoroughbred shorthorns, having upon his place some very fine animals. He has also made a specialty of breeding and raising high-class poultry. Seeing the need of a more careful selection of seed com he began to furnish the best that was produced for the class of trade to which its worth would make appeal and is now widely known as a raiser of seed corn, which he ships to various states, both east and west. He produces a number of varieties and dries his corn by kiln. In all of his business he holds to high standards of excellence and his example has been one which has stimulated the efforts of his fellow townsmen, who, seeing the benefits to be derived from the course that he has pursued, have followed in his example.

Four children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilson. Howard, born on the home farm February 12, 1893, is now a student in the Geneseo high school, from which he will graduate with the class of 191 1. Harold E., born on the home farm May 16, 1895, became a high-school student in the fall of 1909.

Edna Ruth, born July 19, 1901, has but recently entered school. Edith Hazel, born March 4, 1903, has also just begun her education.

In politics Mr. Wilson is an independent republican, for, while he usually votes for the men and measures of the republican party, he does not consider himself bound by party ties, and in the exercise of his franchise follows the dictates of his judgment. He has long served as school director, and is a stalwart champion of the cause of education. In 1909 he was made a member of Stewart Lodge, No. 92, A. F. & A. M. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are widely and favorably known in this section of the county and have a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintances.

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