WILSON, James A.

WILSON, BOYD, FISHER, WADELL, MCCLINENS, BOWLING, ROBERTSON

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/16/2014 at 13:05:33

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.

Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith
Supervising Editors

The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. Pp. 225-27. Chicago. 1915.

JAMES A. WILSON

James A. Wilson, the leading contractor of Garden Grove, was born on the 28th of March, 1849, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, a son of Hugh J. and Permelia (Boyd) Wilson. The paternal grandfather, John Wilson, was born in that county in the. early days of its history, of Scotch-Irish parentage. He was typical of his race, possessing not only great physical strength but also unusual moral stamina and courage and was at all times ready to uphold that which he believed to be the right. There were many people of Scotch-Irish descent living in Washington county and they held the sincere respect of those who were associated with them. John Wilson, who was a farmer by occupation, passed away in his native county about 1853. He married a Miss Fisher and to them were born the following children, John, David, William, James, Esther, Hugh J. and Margaret. Hugh J. Wilson was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, on the 1st of March, 1816, and received his education in the district schools in the vicinity of the homestead. He was early trained to farm work and on reaching maturity continued to devote his time and attention to agriculture. He served in the state militia and for seven years was a drill master. During the Civil war he raised and drilled two companies of soldiers in Linn county, Iowa, and would have gone to the front himself had it not been that he was too old. He was twice married, his first union being with Miss Permelia Boyd, by whom he had five children: Mary A.; Adessa, who married J. W. Wadell; John W.; James A., of this review; and Fillmore Scott. For his second wife Mr. Wilson chose Hannah E. McClinnens and they became the parents of seven children, John, Charles F., Elmer E., Elhue, Samuel F., Jemima and Jessie. The father passed away in 1893, in the faith of the Presbyterian church, of which he was a member.

James A. Wilson attended the public schools of Ohio, western Pennsylvania and Linn county, Iowa, and upon putting aside his textbooks became an apprentice to the carpenter's trade. He followed that trade for several years and then became a contractor and builder. In 1876 he located at Garden Grove, Decatur county, Iowa, and for the last thirty-nine years has been prominently identified with business circles here. He is probably the best known builder in Decatur county and has not only erected the greater part of the buildings put up in Garden Grove since he located here, but he has also supervised the construction of many of the best buildings in other sections of the county, including the new courthouse at Leon. He is himself an expert workman and demands excellent work from all who are in his employ and it is well known that he always lives up to his contracts.

In 1876 Mr. Wilson married Miss Estella Bowling, a daughter of Henry Bowling, of eastern Illinois and a direct descendant of the Indian princess Pocahontas. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have a son, Walter E., who after acquiring a good general education in the schools of Garden Grove took a course of instruction in painting and decorating in Chicago and is now also engaged in contracting and building. He married Miss Dorothy Robertson and they have one child.

Mr. Wilson of this review is a republican in his political belief and for ten years served as a member of the school board. He has been a representative of the Masonic order for about thirty years and holds membership in the lodge at Garden Grove. His probity and integrity are among his most salient traits and he is also characterized by public spirit and a willingness to help those who are less fortunate than he.

NOTE: James Wilson died in 1929, aged 80 years. He was interred at Garden Grove Cemetery, Garden Grove IA. ~ Iowa Cemetery Records, 1662-1999

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014