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JOHN WILSON, a farmer residing on section 10, Concord Township, Louisa Co., Iowa, was born in County Armagh, Ireland, and was the seventh in a family of eight children born to William and Ann (Long) Wilson, who were also natives of County Armagh. The father was a farmer by occupation, and died in his native land in 1853. Three weeks later his excellent wife also died. Our subject was reared to farm life, and received his education in Ireland, where he was married in 1844, becoming the husband of Maria Courtney, a native of Ireland, and a daughter of Christian and Elizabeth (Barnes) Courtney, who were also born in that land. Her father engaged in farming, and there resided until his death, which occurred in 1864. Her mother had departed this life several years previously, dying in 1849.
After his marriage Mr. Wilson settled upon a farm, engaging in its cultivation until his emigration to America. In the spring of 1874 he set sail from Derry, landing at New York, whence he came directly to Louisa County, Iowa, locating upon the farm where he now resides. He had previously purchased this land, consisting of eighty acres of prairie and twenty-one acres of timber, and since his arrival has added forty acres, making in all 141 acres, which is fine arable land, under a high state of cultivation. He also raises considerable stock of good grade, and in 1882 erected an elegant residence upon his farm, which is pleasantly situated about six miles from Columbus Junction. He casts his vote for the Republican party, and is prominent in the promotion of any enterprise for the public good.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born four children, all yet living: Robert is married, and . . .
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. . . resides near the old homestead; William is also married, and lives in Louisa County; John is married, and now engaged in merchandising in the city of Muscatine; and Lizzie, now Mrs. Neal, resides in Osage county, Kan.
Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson appear in connection with this sketch.
