This gentleman is a native of Ireland, the date of his birth being the year 1800. He was reared in the country of his nativity and there received his education. On starting in life for himself Mr. Wilson became a farmer, and continued in that worthy avocation during his residence in the old country. In the fall of 1847, he, with his family, started to America, bent upon trying their fortunes in the great Western World. They landed in New Orleans, but made only a temporary stay. They then proceeded to southern Illinois, via St. Louis, and there Mr. Wilson again engaged in farming. In 1851, he removed to the northern part of the State and resided there till 1866, when he went to Kansas, where he remained till 1870, when he came to this State and County, and has ever since continued to reside here, still engaged in farming and stock-raising.
Mr. Wilson was married, March 3, 1881, to Miss Mary Wilson. They have had five children by this union; named, respectively, Elizabeth, Samuel, John, Fannie, and Alexander. Mrs. Wilson died while the family lived in Illinois, leaving her five children and devoted husband to mourn her irreparable loss.
Mr. Wilson and brother own a good farm of 196 acres of flue land, located in Liberty Township. Although he is now upwards of eighty-one years of age, Mr. Wilson is hale and hearty, and prospectively good for many years of usefulness before he shall be gathered to his fathers.”