Pg 359

         WILLIAM M. WILSON, a leading farmer residing on section 34, Morning Sun township, and one of the pioneers of Louisa County, was born in Washington County, Ill., May 26, 1838. The following year his parents removed to this county, where he has since continued to reside. As soon as he had attained sufficient age he was sent to the district schools, then taught in log cabins, and was reared to farm life. On the 18th of January, 1864, in this county, he was united in marriage with Miriam Conway, who was born in Liverpool, England, July 6, 1842. They are now the parents of nine children: Winona, born Nov. 18, 1864; William G., July 2, 1866; Samuel F., Sept. 2, 1868; Leah R., Nov. 2, 1870; Nellie E., Sept. 18, 1873; John, July 4, 1875; Sarah E., March 9, 1877; Renwick G., March 12, 1882; and James H., April 8, 1885.

Mr. Wilson is a general farmer and stock-raiser, and makes his home on section 34, Morning Sun Township. In his political views he is a Repub- . . .

Pg 360

. . .lican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. His whole life has been identified with the history of Louisa County, where for nearly half a century his life has been passed. On his arrival in the county this great commonwealth was almost an unbroken wilderness, but now there is not a single county in the State over which the iron horse does not travel, carrying hundreds of people daily. In the work of transformation and progress Mr. Wilson has always borne his part, and has done much toward placing the county in its present high rank in the State. He and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church, of Morning Sun, and none stands higher in the esteem and respect of the community than they do.