Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Wilson, Joseph A 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com March 25, 2006, 12:59 pm

Author: Bio/Gen Record LaSalle/Grundy 1900

Joseph A. Wilson

Few men are more prominent or more widely known in the enterprising city of 
Morris than Mr. Wilson. He has been an important factor in business circles 
and his popularity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the 
characteristics of an unbending integrity, and an unabating energy and 
industry that never flag. He is public-spirited and thoroughly interested in 
whatever tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of 
Morris. He is now serving as the mayor of the city, and his administration is 
very acceptable to the people, being progressive, practical and beneficial.

Mr. Wilson was born in Putnam county, Illinois, February 20, 1850, his parents 
being Jonathan and Elma C. (Hoyle) Wilson. The father was born in Union 
county, Kentucky, in 1809, and was a son of Thornton Wilson, also a native of 
that state and a representative of an old Virginia family of Scotch origin. 
When twenty-one years of age Jonathan Wilson came to Illinois, taking up his 
residence in Putnam county, where he married Miss Hoyle, whose birth occurred 
in Belmont county, Ohio, in 1820. During her girlhood she removed to Putnam 
county with her parents, who were of English lineage. In 1850 Jonathan Wilson 
came with his family to Grundy county, where he carried on farming and stock-
raising, meeting with a fair degree of success in his undertaking. He served 
in the Black Hawk war in 1832, and was actively identified with the pioneer 
interests of the state. In his political affiliations he was a Whig until the 
organization of the Republican party, when he joined its ranks. Through her 
religious faith, his wife was connected with the Society of Friends. This 
worthy couple became the parents of ten children: William A., who died in 
1872; Edith E.; Mary E., who died in 1875; Joseph A.; Oliver T., who died in 
infancy; Sabina M.; Edward F., who died in 1897; Marshall B., of Morris; 
Charles P., who died in 1893; and Orvil T., also a resident of Morris. The 
father of this family was called to his final rest in 1887, and the mother’s 
death occurred in Morris in 1899.

Mr. Wilson, whose name begins this sketch, came to Grundy county during his 
infancy and was reared upon his father’s farm, early becoming familiar with 
all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist.  He 
continued to operate the farm until 1881, at which time he became a resident 
of Morris, but though he left the homestead he has since been actively 
connected with agricultural and stock-dealing interests. He owns several farms 
and is one of the most extensive stock-dealers in this section of the country, 
his business having assumed extensive proportions, yielding to him an 
excellent income, and his prosperity is well merited.

On the 5th of March, 1879, Mr. Wilson was happily married to Miss Hattie E. 
Collins, a daughter of Joshua and Harriet (Cryder) Collins, who were early 
settlers of Grundy county. They now have two children—Edna M. and Jay C. Mrs. 
Wilson is a faithful member of the Congregational church, and is a lady of 
culture to whom the hospitality of the best homes of Morris is extended. In 
politics Mr. Wilson is a Republican, having always given an unfaltering 
support to the principles of his party. He has served as township supervisor, 
has been a member of the city council of Morris, and in the spring of 1899 was 
elected mayor. The reins of the city government were thus placed in competent 
hands, for he is a public-spirited man, deeply interested in the upbuilding 
and substantial development of the city. He does all in his power to promote 
its interests, and in his official course has won uniform commendation. His 
business record is above reproach, and as a man and citizen he is held in the 
highest esteem by all who know him.

Additional Comments:
Source:  Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy County, 
Illinois, Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, p572-574

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