Biography of James A. Wilson, DeWitt County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archvies Copyright 1999 Earliene Kaelin Source: The People in History 1882 History JAMES A. WILSON The present efficient Treasurer of De Witt county, was born October 30th 1839, a few miles north-east of Clinton. His father Edward was from Perry county, Ohio, his mother, Martha Wilson, from East Tennessee; both came in 1832 and located in De Witt county. The ancestors of Edward Wilson were from Maryland, those of Mrs. Wilson, from Tennessee. Edward Wilson, a brave sturdy pioneer, who left his impression on the community in which he lived for good, died May 10th, 1863. He had followed farming all his life. James A. Wilson had only the meagre advantages extended the youth of this section of country in the days of log cabin school-houses. Harvey Blunt was his first teacher. He made the most, however, of the advantages offered, and good strong common sense has led him in all business operations he has engaged in. His chief pursuit has been farming and stock dealing. He has represented the fellow citizens of his native township as supervisor and school trustee, and in 1877 he was elected county Treasurer by a majority of seven hundred votes, although a democrat in what is generally a republican county. This can only be attributed to his personal popularity and universally recognized fitness for the position. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Cook, of Waynesville, September 7th, 1862, by whom he has had five children. Politically Mr. Wilson is a democrat, and in the advocacy of his belief is ardent and positive. He is a member of the Masonic order, his membership being with-the Amond Lodge No. 284 at De Witt, and with the Goodbrake chapter in Clinton, also the Knights of Pythias, Plantagenet Lodge. That measure of success which always follows in the wake of energy has been his portion, and now he is the owner of seven hundred acres of fine land, and is somewhat extensively engaged in the stock industry both at home and in company with ,others in Texas. Industrious, reliable, of well established integrity of character, Mr. Wilson enjoys the good will and good wishes of host of friends. ------------------------------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organiza- tions or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contri- butor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ----------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Earliene Kaeline