Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 880
OSCAR D. WILSON

Oscar D. WILSON, proprietor of the livery, feed and sale stable at Modale, came to Harrison County in the fall of 1869, and worked on the Sioux City and Pacific Railway, from Missouri to Sioux City, and from the Valley to Fremont, Neb., part of the time as an engineer and part of the time as a baggage master and also helped in the construction of the telegraph line. He was in the company's employ until the autumn of 1873, when he built his livery barn at Modale. In connection with his livery business he also practices as a veterinary surgeon. He attended the Chicago Veterinary School. In October 1886, his barn burned, but he immediately rebuilt, 30x60 feet with five box stalls outside. In the fall of 1888 he built a residence 24x28 feet.

To acquaint the reader with our subject's earlier days it may be said that he was born July 7, 1840, at Chicago, Ill. He is the son of Thomas and Mary (NORTON) WILSON. The father was a native of Ireland, while the mother was born in New York State, and was of German origin. He left home at the age of thirteen and went to firing on the Wisconsin division of the Northwestern Railway. About 1861, he got an engine to run, continuing to pull the throttle until September, 1863, when he enlisted in Company A, of the Seventeenth Illinois Calvary, and went South, and was on detached service most of the time. He was on both of the Price raids, was at the battles of Lone Jack, Big Blue, Mulligan's fight at Lexington and a great many smaller engagements. He was discharged January 26, 1866, at Little Rock, Ark., and then returned to Chicago and again became an engineer on the road he had left, when he doffed the greasy garb of an engineer and put on the royal blue, as a soldier in the Union army. He was locomotive engineer until the autumn of 1869 and then came to Harrison County.

He was united in marriage at Missouri Valley, March 17, 1871, to Miss Jennie R. BARBER, the daughter of George and Sarah (BLACKBURN) BARBER. By the marriage nine children were born in the following order -- Abbie M., June 26, 1872; Albert D., June 26, 1872 (twins); Thomas J., August 30, 1873; John W., October 26, 1875; George O., January 28, 1878; Lottie L., May 2, 1882; Ella E., July 26, 1884; Cora J., May 29, 1886; Oscar D., January 29, 1889. Abbie and Albert (twins), died July 16, 1872; George O., October 9, 1878. All three died with whooping cough.

Jennie R. (BARBER) WILSON, was born in Grant County, Wis., October 11, 1848, accompanied her parents to Harrison County, Iowa, and located in Cincinnati Township, where she remained until her marriage. She died at Modale June 17, 1890, and was buried at Missouri Valley. In her religious belief she was a Methodist.

Mr. WILSON was married August 26, 1890, in Missouri Valley to Miss Mary E. PHILLIPS, the daughter of Alexander and Emily (BURRIES) PHILLIPS, natives of Germany.

Mary E. (PHILLIPS) WILSON, was born March 8, 1850, and the same year came with her parents tro America, located in Greene County, Pa., in 1858, and came to Washington County, Ohio, in the autumn of 1875. She left home and came to Ford County, where she remained until 1878, and then came to Mills County, Iowa, and in 1874 (misprint?), went to Jefferson County, Neb., and was there until 1888, then went to Saline County, Neb., and in June 1890, came to this county where she was married. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Politically our subject is a Republican.

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