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 1878, Otter Creek township
From History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time (1911)
WILLIAM C. WILSON
William C. Wilson, who has been successfully engaged in business as a merchant of Toddville since 1903. was born in Otter Creek township, Linn county, Iowa, on the 20th day of April, 1878, his parents being William and Rebecca J. (Thompson) Wilson. The father was a native of Ohio, while the mother's birth occurred near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. They took up their above among the early settlers of this state and here William Wilson spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1898. His widow still makes her home in Linn county, where she is well known and highly esteemed.
William C. Wilson of this review attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and remained at home until he had attained his majority. He then worked at common labor for five years and subsequently embarked in business on his own account as a merchant, having for the past seven years conducted a successful and growing mercantile enterprise at Toddville. He gives careful attention to the wants of his patrons, and his reasonable prices, fair dealing and enterprising methods have won him a liberal trade.
On the 30th of September, 1903, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Lanning. a native of Linn county and a daughter of John K. and Angelina
(Hogeland) Launing. Her father's birth occurred in Ohio, while her mother was born in this county and is still living here. Mr. and Mrs. "Wilson have one son, Meryl Grant, whose natal day was February 5. 1 9 07.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. "Wilson has supported the temperance or prohibition party and in 1904 was appointed to the position of postmaster but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. Both he and his wife belong to the Church of Christ and do all in their power to promote its growth and extend its influence. Mr. Wilson is a minister of the denomination, having been ordained on the 6th of February, 1009. He and his wife are widely and favorably known in the county where they have always resided, the circle of their friends being almost, coextensive with the circle of their acquaintances.
As printed in History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time (1911). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: William Wilson
The printed record stops around 1911. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.