Wilson, Wm. Cooper

WILSON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/3/2021 at 11:54:44

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.757

WILLIAM COOPER WILSON
William Cooper Wilson, who owns and operates a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres on the southwest quarter of section 21, Otter Township, traces his ancestry back to the early settlement of Virginia. The founder of the family in America as David Wilson, a son of David Wilson, of the kingdom of Scotland, who came to America in probably the seventeenth century and located in the colony of Virginia. A member of the family took a conspicuous part in bringing about the Revolutionary War, being one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Mr. Wilson’s father, George Wilson, was born in West Virginia, October 31, 1795, and was reared in the Shenandoah Valley. He emigrated to Ohio from Virginia (now West Virginia) in 1808. His father located the family near the present site of Newark, Ohio and probably built the first log cabin in that locality. He followed the occupation of farming and remained there until the time of his death. He brought one colored man to Ohio but had given him freedom but he chose to stay with the family. George Wilson was married on the 1st of June 1819, to Miss Eliza Jane Moore, who was born at Marsh Creek, Pennsylvania, June 25, 1798, and was a descendant of Colonel David and Janet (Buchanan) McClellan, of Marsh Creek, Pennsylvania, and Baltimore, Maryland. She was taken to Guernsey County, Ohio as a child by her parents where she was reared. In later years she removed to the home of an uncle, in Licking County, Ohio, and there she was married to Mr. Wilson. In 1842 they went to Illinois and located in Cass County, where Mr. Wilson engaged in farming. They remained there until the time of their death, the father passing away on the 30th of September 1872, and the mother following him five years later, her death occurring October 8, 1877. Mr. Wilson was a Whig in politics, and was a devout member of the Presbyterian Church. They were the parents of nine children, all of whom but two arrived at maturity, as follows: Eliza Ann was born May 12, 1820. On January 11, 1841 she became the wife of Addison Angier, and she died in Cass County, Illinois in 1902. Milton Scott, born March 3, 1823, went to California in the days of 1849 and there he was married February 21, 1860, to Mary L. Chandler, who is still living. He died in January 1905. Nancy M., born May 20, 1825, became the wife of B. Franklin Stribling and died in Cass County, Illinois, August 7, 1872. Archibald Moore, born January 1, 1827, died January 12, 1837, being but a few days over ten years of age. Emily Elizabeth, born August 6, 1829, became the wife of H.W. Montgomery on January 16, 1850. She died in South Dakota. John Newton, born June 1, 1832, married Rachel M. Berry, October 7, 1858. He died at Virginia, Cass County, Illinois, January 1, 1905. William C. is the subject of this review. Belinda Maria, born March 12, 1838, was married to Dwight C., Angier, May 21, 1864. She died July 11, 1872. Henrietta Rebecca, born September 11, 1841, died September 5, 1847.
William C. Wilson was born in Licking County, Ohio June 30, 1835, and he resided there until his sixth year, at which time his parents removed to Cass County, Illinois, where he was reared and educated in the country schools. On September 16, 1862 he was married to Miss Hannah M. White and began farming operations on his own behalf. In 1867 he brought his young wife to this county and located on the present home farm on the 1st day of August, having purchased it July 24 of that year. He was led to make the change because of his failing health and the years into which his life has lengthened out are an ample proof of the wisdom of choosing this locality. At the time of his coming here, there were few residents in this part of the county, but Mr. Wilson had faith in its future because of the superior quality of the soil, and the high state of cultivation under which he has brought his own farm, and the many improvements which he has added to it, as well as the general appearance of the homes with which he is surrounded, all go to prove that his judgment was well founded.
Mrs. Wilson was born in Menard County, Illinois March 30, 1839, the daughter of Rev. James and Maria (Greenwood) White. Her father was a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and was a pastor in Illinois for many years, being a pioneer preacher of that state. He died many years ago. Mrs. Wilson was one of many children. She was educated in Illinois, where for several years she engaged in teaching in the schools of Sangamon, Cass and Menard Counties. She died August 2, 1898, at the home in Otter Township, leaving two sons, namely: Frank G. born in Cass County, Illinois October 8, 1864, married Miss Louisa Silcott, who died in 1890, leaving two children, Mary and Rex, who are now attending school in Indianola. Frank G. resides with his father and operates the home farm. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Indianola, and has served as assessor of Otter Township. Edwin M., born in Cass County, Illinois February 12, 1867, also makes his home with his father, but is a traveling man, covering western territory.
Mr. Wilson has ever given his political allegiance to the Republican Party, having cast his first presidential vote in 1856, since which time he has voted at all elections with one exception, that being the state election in Iowa in 1867. He has served some sixteen years as township trustee and in various school offices. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Milo, as are also his two sons.