Wilson, James H.

WILSON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 18:29:26

JAMES H. WILSON
born Mar 20, 1836, N.C.

J. H. Wilson, M. D. - Forty years ago, when Warren county, Iowa was in its primitive state, before the railroads had spanned the rivers and banded the prairies of this section of the country, and a quarter of a century before the telegraph became an established factor, few, if any, were imaginative enough to look forward to the marvelous development of today. It was at that time that Dr. H. Wilson cast his lot in Warren county, joining the courageous little band of pioneers who had already made settlement here. All honor to these brave frontiersmen who paved the way for advanced civilization. To their courage, their sacrifices, and their labors, is due much of the wonderful development which has marked the intervening years, and in this onward progress Dr. Wilson has contributed his part. He early became identified with agricultural pursuits and engaged in the practice of medicine, and from the first won the confidence and respect of all with whom he came in contact. And this confidence and esteem he has ever retained. Thus he is eminently deserving of biographical honors, and it is with pleasure we present the following resume in this work:
J. H. Wilson is a Southerner by birth. He first saw the light of day in a log cabin in Guilford county, North Carolina, March 20, 1836, his parents being R. D. and Rohama (Spoon) Wilson. R. D. Wilson, his father, was also a Carolinian, the year of his birth being 1805, and, like his forefathers, he devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. His closing years were passed in Warren county, Iowa, where he was well known and highly esteemed for his many excellent traits of character, and where, after having passed his eighty-second milestone, he departed this life. A little mound in the New Virginia cemetery marks the last resting place of his mortal remains. Throughout his life he was noted for his love of mankind and his faith in his Maker, and he died strong in this faith. His good Christian wife, his companion for many years, still lives, and her kindly smile is an inspiration to all who come within her influence. She resides with her son. Throughout nearly two generations she has worked in God's vineyard through the Wesleyan Methodist denomination. As a boy J. H. Wilson attended a North Carolina subscription school, and as he grew older his desire for knowledge increased. His advantages, however, were not of the best. It was by his own earnest and persistent efforts that he placed himself beyond the ordinary attainments, and made it possible to alleviate much of the distress and suffering among the pioneers with whom he early cast his lot. For the past fourteen years he has been at the head of a fine drug store in New Virginia, the business now being conducted under the firm name of J. H. Wilson & Son. The happy event in the Doctor's life was his marriage, August 6, 1857, to Miss Maria J. Shultz, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Mr. Washington Shultz. Mrs. Wilson is an amiable woman and one whose influence is felt for good in the circle in which she moves. Of the nine children born to them, we make brief record as follows: W. W., is a resident of Nance county, Nebraska; George E., lives at the old homestead in this Warren county; Frank resides in Jackson county, Iowa; John T. is in Nance county, Nebraska; Fanny, wife of Charles Johnson, is a resident of Oskaloosa, Iowa; Enoch H. died at the age of seven years; Mary married Charles Shaw of Nance county, Nebraska; and Cora and James are at home. James is in business with his father, is making a study of pharmacy, and is one of the popular young men of the town. He has spent some time as a student at Des Moines. Dr. Wilson is a stanch Republican and is a member of the Masonic order and of the Christian Church. Source: A Memorial and Biographical Record of Iowa, Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1896, vol.1, p.469