Wilson Abraham

ABRAHAM

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/17/2010 at 13:18:32

With the development of the west Wilson Abraham is thoroughly familiar, for at an early day he was engaged in freighting across the plains and was identified with the agricultural development of Boone county, but is now living retired in Luther, enjoying the rest which should always follow a useful and well spent life.
He was born near Ottawa, in Carleton county, Canada, December 30, 1843, and is a son of James Abraham, who was a native of Ireland, and from that country emigrated to Canada at an early day, making the trip across the Atlantic with his uncle John T Rutledge. He had received a good common school education and for some years was engaged in lumbering on the Ottawa river. He was married in Carleton county to Miss Maria Wilson, who was born on the Atlantic, April 23, 1822, and was reared and educated in Canada. Her parents were George B and Alice ( Cassidy) Wilson. Her father was a well educated man and was not only engaged in farming but also conducted a store and followed the lumber business for some years. He was twice married and died in Canada. James Abraham, father of our subject, brought his family to Boone county, Iowa in 1866, and located upon a farm of 160 acres in Colfax township. This was all wild land, but to its improvement and cultivation he at once turned his attention and made his home thereon until his death, which occurred on August 6, 1887. His wife long survived his, passing away in Luther, March 3, 1907. Their children were as follows: John who married Lizzie Noble, became a resident of Chicago in 1862, but a few yeas later removed to Shawano county, Wisconsin. Sarah A became the wife of James Stringer of Bruce county, Canada, where he death occurred. Wilson is the next in order of birth. Maggie is the wife of W H H Scott of Colorado. Mary A is the wife of John W Leland of Montana. Belle is the widow of J W Murray, who was a judge in Montana for many years prior to his death. He was a boyhood friend of Senator Clark, and they were in business together until 1885. George B was born in Huron county, Ontario, Canada, and was educated in the schools there and in Boone county. He is a prominent republican and is now serving as mayor of Luther. Jane B is with wife of S B Payne of Jordon, Iowa. Angeline is the wife of C A Shade of Winterset, Iowa. Lizzie is the widow of G A Martin and a resident of Luther.
Wilson Abraham grew to manhood in Huron county, Ontario, Canada, where he pursued his education in the common schools and continued to reside until the removal of the family to Boone county, Iowa, in 1866. He aided his father in breaking the land and cultivating the home farm here and for three years, between 1868 and 1872, engaged in freighting for the Untied States government in Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming. His train was supplied with an escort of United States troops and was attacked by the Indians of Crazy Woman’s Creek, but the trouble was peacefully settled. Returning to Boone county in 1872, he resumed farming and continued to operate the old home place until 1900, when he removed to Luther and has since lived retired from active labor. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the republican party, and he is an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

1914 Boone County History Book