JESSE WILSON, b 6 Mar 1814

WILSON, KINNARD, CHANDLER, CARTER, WHEELER, FORNEY

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 2/28/2005 at 18:02:45

South Fork still numbers among her most honored citizens some who were her pioneers and have been prominent factors in developing her agricultural resources, and bringing about her present prosperity. The subject of this biographical sketch is one of these. He owns one of the most desirable and best managed farms in this vicinity, comprising 200 acres of land, under excellent tillage, 160 acres of which are on section 35, and forty acres adjoining in Clinton County.

Mr. Wilson was born in Crowland Township, near Niagara Falls, on the Canadian side, March 6, 1814. His parents were John and Hannah (Kinnard) Wilson. (For parental history see sketch of Anson Wilson). Our subject was reared on a farm in his native township, and as soon as large enough had to help his father in its management. He continued to reside under the home roof until he attained manhood. In 1838 he ambitiously determined to see more of life than was possible in his native place, and he crossed the border into the "States." He tarried a few months in Michigan, but in the spring of 1839, started for a further exploration of the Western country, accompanied by his brother and three others. They passed through the northern parts of Indiana and Illinois, finding the greater part of the latter state very sparsely settled, and the land still in the hands of the Government. After viewing that portion of the country, our subject and his companions crossed the Mississippi River into the Territory of Iowa. (For a more graphic account of their journey see the sketch of Anson Wilson on another page of this work). Our subject spent but a few days in Iowa, and then retraced his steps homeward. He walked to Chicago, and there took a boat to Buffalo, N.Y. and from there crossed to the Canada shore, and then walked to his old home. He remained in the Dominion until 1844, when, accompanied by his father's family and four or five other families, he again set his face toward the Territory of Iowa, the entire journey hither being performed with teams. After his arrival here he resided with his parents to assist them in building up a comfortable home. He subsequently bought a tract of land, located on section 26, South Fork Township, forming a part of the wild prairie, and at once zealously commenced its improvement. There being no railways in those days, our subject had to carry his produce in teams to the river town markets. The country roundabout was still in a primitive state, with plenty of wild game, and the vast undulating prairies stretched for miles in some directions with scarce a habitation. After a few years Mr. Wilson disposed of that place at an advance, and invested in land on section 23. This land bordered on a stream, furnishing excellent water power, and Mr. Wilson, determining to utilize it, formed a partnership with Mr. Stimson to build a saw-mill. After its erection, they did a flourishing business in the manufacture of lumber. They subsequently sold a half interest in the mill, and the firm became Stimson, Wilson & Co. They afterwards built a flour mill, which they operated with good financial success. A few years later Mr. Wilson sold his land there and bought his present farm of 200 acres, which is under good cultivation and has a conveniently arranged set of farm buildings, and all the necessary machinery for carrying on agriculture advantageously.

Mr. Wilson was married in 1842 to Miss Sarah Chandler, a native of the same county as himself. For forty-six years they walked the path of life hand in hand, and then the tie that bound them on earth was loosened by the death of the beloved wife, June 15, 1888, at the age of sixty-nine years. She was a true, womanly woman, who cheerfully assisted and encouraged her husband in his work, and was a devoted mother to their two children, Eliza and Slade. Eliza married Ira Carter of Oxford Junction, and they have one child, Rannie. Slade has been twice married. His first wife, Emma Wheeler, died. His second marriage was to Mary Forney, and they have one child, Jessie. Mrs. Wilson's father, Samuel Chandler, was a native of New England and an early settler of Canada. He had a somewhat romantic career, as during the Canadian rebellion he commanded a regiment of insurgents. He was captured by the British authorities and condemned to be hanged. His daughter, Mrs. Wilson, visited the Governor General of Canada to plead for the life of her father, and her prayers were granted, inasmuch as the death sentence was commuted to banishment, and he was sent to England and thence to Van Dieman's land. He afterward escaped from that island on an American vessel and returned to his native land. He then came westward to Iowa in 1846, and settling in Maquoketa Township, improved a farm, on which he spent his last years in peace and comfort. And there his wife also closed her eyes in death.

It has been the good fortune of our subject to witness almost the entire growth of this part of Iowa from its primitive wildness, and to contribute his share towards its development. He is well-known, and is truly respected and venerated by all. In his long and useful life of seventy-five years, he has always borne a high reputation for honesty and honor, and his dealings with others have shown him to be kindly and considerate.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)