Weld County, History of Colorado, BIOS: WILSON, Thomas H. (published 1918) *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Maggie Stewart-Zimmerman http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00015.html#0003643 October 22, 1999 *********************************************************************** "History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. (1918) Vol. II p. 292, 294 photo p. 293 THOMAS H. WILSON. Thomas H. Wilson, one of the leading, influential and prosperous citizens of Weld county, where he has now resided for thirty-seven years, is the owner of six hundred and forty acres of valuable land on sections 4, 3 and 27, township 6, range 65. Since 1913, however, he has rented the property out and has merely given his supervision to its management. He is a native of Scotland and was born on a farm in that country which had been the home of his ancestors for three hundred years. His birth occurred on the 15th of September, 1855, his parents being John and Margaret (Hood) Wilson, natives of the land of hills and heather. The father, who devoted his attention to fanning and stock raising in Scotland throughout his entire business career, passed away in August, 1872, while the mother, surviving him for more than a third of a century, was called to her final rest in March, 1908. Thomas H. Wilson was reared and educated in the land of his nativity and there spent the first twenty-six years of his life. He was seventeen years of age at the time of his father's death, after which he operated the home farm in association with his brother until 1881, which year witnessed his departure for America. He made the voyage to the new world in company with Lord Ogilvie, now of Denver, and took up his abode in Weld county, Colorado, where he was employed by the latter as farm manager for two years. On the expiration of that period he purchased a relinquishment of one hundred and sixty acres and as his financial resources increased, owing to his untiring industry and thrift, he added to his holdings from time to time until at present he is the owner of six hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land. The town of Eaton was not in existence at the time of his arrival here and the land which came into his possession was absolutely devoid of improvements. With characteristic energy, however, he began the work of cultivation and development and his section of land is now divided into four farms, all of which are splendidly improved, lacking in none of the equipments and accessories of a model farm property of the twentieth century. For many years he devoted his time and attention to general agricultural pursuits, but in 1913 he rented his land and has since left the active work of the fields to others. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he has been extensively engaged in the feeding of sheep and cattle, both branches of his business proving profitable. He is a stockholder and director of the First National Bank of Eaton, also a stockholder in the Farmers Bank of Severance and for more than fifteen years has served as president of the Larimer & Weld Reservoir Company, while for a number of years he has been a director of the Larimer & Weld Irrigation Company. On February 21, 1881, Mr. Wilson was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Milne, a daughter of Thomas and Isabella (Duff) Milne, both of whom were natives of Scotland. Mrs. Wilson was born in that country May 25, 1857. Her father was a carpenter by trade and also a forester in the early days, looking after timber on the big estates in Scotland. His demise occurred in February, 1902, and his wife passed away in June, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the parents of four children, as follows: John D., who is the president of the First National Bank of Eaton; Isabella, who Is the wife of Andrew Ross, proprietor of the Seven Cross ranch at Briggsdale, Weld county, which comprises tour thousand acres; Blanche, the wife of W. D. Kay, who cultivates a farm adjoining that of his father-in-law, lying across the road to the north; and Arthur J., who operates one of his father's farms. Mr. Wilson gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, believing firmly In its principles. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order and the Woodmen of the World, while in religious faith he is a Congregationalist. He and his wife have twice returned to Scotland, visiting their native land in 1904 and in 1907, while during the past three winters they have resided in California. In Weld county they are widely and favorably known, the circle of their friends being almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance.