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         JAMES H. WILSON, one of the pioneers of Louisa County of 1839, now residing in Morning Sun, was born in Preble County, Ohio, Jan. 1, 1831, and is a son of John Wilson, whose sketch appears on another page of this work. In 1838, when seven years old, he went with his parents to Illinois, locating in Washington County, where the family resided until the following year, and then removed to Louisa County. Here James attended a subscription school, which was taught by his father, during the winter, and in the summer time assisted in breaking prairie, or was otherwise employed on the farm. He grew to manhood in this new country, living the life of a pio- . . .

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. . . neer, and in March, 1869, was united in marriage with Miss Adeline McClurken, a daughter of Thomas McClurken, one of the early settlers of this county.

In 1862, previous to his marriage, Mr. Wilson made a trip to Oregon, Washington Territory and California, where he remained for three years engaged in freighting. There he endured all the hardships incident to frontier life, and for six months never saw a lady. While on the way to Oregon he met an old acquaintance, William Moats, and they decided to engage in freighting together, becoming much attached to the trade, as the variety and excitement of the new country made it very fascinating. At length the two friends separated, and shortly after Mr. Wilson heard the report of guns. It proved to be trouble with the Indians, and in the affair Mr. Moats was killed. In 1865 Mr. Wilson returned to Louisa County, where he has since continued to reside, and for the past four years has been engaged in the tile works. In his political view he is a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church.