F. V. WILSON.

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         After a long and active life devoted to agricultural pursuits F. V. Wilson is now living retired, but he still retains his residence on his finely improved farm located on sections 26 and 27, Morning Sun township, Louisa county. He was born in Pennsylvania, November 22, 1850, a son of William I. and Hannah (Clark) Wilson, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state and lived and died there. They were the parents of ten children, as follows: Deborah J., the wife of Alexander McClure, of Pennsylvania; Elizabeth, the wife of W. Reader, also of that state; Hannah C., the wife of Samuel Colter, of Indiana; Harriet, who is still single and makes her home in Kansas; F. V., of this review; Sarah, the wife of Charles McCullough, also of Pennsylvania; Ithamar, a resident of Ohio; W. B. and J. P., twins, who make their home in Kansas; and one, who is deceased.

         F. V. Wilson was reared and educated in the state of his nativity, remaining on the home farm until he attained his majority. He then for a few years farmed his father’s land on his own account but in 1875, seeking the broader opportunities and advantages to be enjoyed in the middle west, he came to Iowa, first establishing his home in Taylor county. He spent but a brief period there, however, and then came to Louisa county, working for a few years as a farm hand. In 1881 he purchased his present farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres located on sections 26 and 27, Morning Sun township. He made all the improvements on this place, including a nice country home and substantial outbuildings which furnish ample shelter for grain and stock. For many years he was actively engaged in the operation of this place and raised considerable livestock, giving the major portion of his time to the latter industry. He is now living retired, but retains his residence on the farm, where he can supervise his interests.

         Mr. Wilson was married after coming to Louisa county, to Miss Mary J. Henderson, who was born and reared here. Their marriage has been blessed with four children: Elizabeth B., the wife of E. Long, a resident of Minnesota; Maud, the wife of E. Carrick, a resident of Des Moines county, Iowa; Lucia Zell, the wife of M. McElhaney, also of Des Moines county; and Sadie F., at home. The wife and mother departed this life in October, 1902, her remains being interred in the Elwood cemetery at Morning Sun.

         Mr. Wilson is a republican in his political views and affiliations and has served as a director and as secretary of the school board almost from the time of his arrival in this county to the present time. He is a strong advocate of . . .

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. . . a good school system, having himself been accorded a high school education and having taught for several years in his earlier life. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church, of which his wife was also a member. When he came to Iowa he possessed but little capital, but he possessed a stout heart and willing hands and it was not many years before he became the owner of land. From that time on he prospered until he is now enabled to put aside business cares and live in honorable retirement. Truly he may be termed a self-made man, for his success has come to him through his own good management, and at the same time it has been honorably won.