Louis D. Wilson (1836-1922)

WILSON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 8/16/2022 at 19:15:32

Louis D. Wilson
(February 10, 1836 - August 15, 1922)

Lewis D. Wilson is one of the worthy citizens that Sweden has furnished to Iowa. He was born February 10, 1836, and his parents are Daniel and Melina (Pearson) Wilson, who were also natives of Sweden, in which land they spent their entire lives.
The father was a farmer by occupation and followed that pursuit in providing for his family. Lewis D. Wilson was reared and educated in his native country. He there entered upon his business career as a farmer, but believing that he might have better opportunities in the new world, he resolved to seek a home in America, and in 1868 crossed the Atlantic. Making his way westward, he took up his abode in Knox County, Illinois, and subsequently resided in Whiteside County. As he had no capital to aid him or give him a start, he worked out by the day or month as a farm hand and was thus employed for two years. On the expiration of that period he began farming oil his own account upon a tract of rented land, and when, through his industry and economy, he had acquired some capital he purchased a farm of eighty acres in Whiteside County, continuing its cultivation and improvement until i881, when he sought a home in Iowa. It was in that year that he located upon the farm where he now lives. Here he has made an excellent home and has built upon his land substantial buildings and all modern improvements. His first purchase comprised one hundred and sixty acres, to which he has added until his possessions now aggregate four hundred and forty acres. With the aid of his sons he cultivates his farm, and has one hundred and twenty-five acres planted with corn, one hundred and forty acres with small grain and fifty acres in pasture and meadow land, reaping from the latter good hay harvests. He keeps on hand from sixty to seventy head of short-horn cattle and at the head of his herd he has a full-blooded short-horn bull. He also raises horses, having from ten
to twelve head. He is now feeding cattle quite extensively and is also engaged in raising hogs. As a dealer in stock he is meeting with good success and his general farming is also profitable.
Mr. Wilson was married, in i860, to Pamelia Pearson, who was born in Sweden in 1840. To him she was a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey for almost forty-one years, and her death, which occurred February 16, 1901, was deeply mourned not only by her husband and family, but also by many friends. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were born eight children, namely: Mary, Nels, Swan, Emma, Edward, Frederick, Lydia and Frank.
The Republican party receives the political support of Mr. Wilson, and he has served as township trustee, a position which he filled for six years and then resigned. He was also township assessor for four years and is now road supervisor. His official duties have ever been discharged with marked promptness and fidelity. He belongs to the Lutheran church and co-operates in all movements for the general good along intellectual and moral as well as material lines. He is distinctively a self-made man, and the success which has crowned his efforts is the merited reward of earnest and honest labor. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.329]