THOMAS D. WILSON.

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Mr. & Mrs. Thomas D. Wilson         Thomas D. Wilson as a Soldier

Pg 478

         Thomas D. Wilson, who has been living retired in Morning Sun for the past six years, was born in Preble county, Ohio, on the 10th of January, 1836, his parents being Daniel and Catherine (Rock) Wilson. The father was a veteran of the war of 1812, while his grandfather Rock was in the Revolution. Daniel Wilson passed away in 1845 and three years later his wife and family migrated to Iowa, settling in Louisa county.

         Thomas D. Wilson, who was only a lad of twelve years when the family located in Louisa county, obtained his education in the common schools of Ohio and Iowa. At the age of eighteen he apprenticed himself to a blacksmith and for fifty years thereafter continued to follow that trade. On August 18, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, First Iowa Cavalry, under Captain Levi Chase, and went to the front, where he served for three years, being mustered out on the 15th of June, 1865. Returning to Morning Sun he resumed his chosen vocation, which he followed for four years at that place and then removed to Warren county. He lived there until 1893, when he returned to Morning Sun, where he has resided continuously since. He owns a fine residence here and two lots, in addition to which he has a farm of eighty acres in Cherokee county, Kansas.

         On the 12th of November, 1847, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Susanna M. Raushenberger, who was born in Ohio on the 1st of July, 1839. She is a daughter of John and Mary (Messer) Raushenberger, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Virginia. Unto the union of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were born five children, only two of whom now survive; James Franklin, the eldest son and second in order of birth, is living in Warren county, Iowa; and Edna, the youngest daughter and fourth in order of birth, is living at home. Those deceased are: Mary Catherine, the eldest of the family and the wife of W. D. Nelson; William H. and Riley M. Mrs. Nelson left the following children at her demise: Bessie May; James Lale; and Mame Etta, now the wife of William P. Hunt, of Virginia Grove, Iowa. . . .

Pg 483 (pages 481 & 482 are missing)

. . . Mrs. Wilson passed away on the 13th of October, 1905, and was laid to rest in the Elmwood cemetery at Morning Sun.

         Mr. Wilson is affiliated with the United Presbyterian church, of which his wife was also a member, and he has served as ruling elder since 1872. His political support he gives to the republican party. Although he never took a very active part in municipal affairs, he filled some of the minor township offices. Public-spirited, he has ever been found ready to assume his responsibilities of citizenship in times of need, having faithfully and valiantly served his country in the Civil war, as did his father in the war of 1812 and his grandfather in the Revolution.