Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Wilson, James S 1821 - 1877
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com February 25, 2006, 9:11 pm

Author: History of Grundy County 1882

James S. Wilson (deceased) was born in Niagara County, N. Y., December 12, 
1821, son of William and Maggie (Callard) Wilson. Our subject came to Illinois 
when eighteen years of age, having but 50 cents in his pocket, but he was 
energetic, and wished to make his own way in the world. In 1854, he came to 
Gardner and engaged in farming; previous to this time, he had made two trips 
overland to California, and had improved two farms. At one time, Mr. Wilson 
had over 1,000 acres of farm land, all under a high state of cultivation, and 
on the homestead farm, which contained about 600 acres, he sunk a coal shaft, 
which he managed for two years. In 1871, he sold out his entire business 
interests in this line. He next purchased the Commercial House and its 
surroundings, to which he made several additions by way of improvement. In 
connection with his duties as landlord, he did a general real estate and 
broker business. His death occurred January 1, 1877; he was married twice, his 
first wife being Jane Freelove; she died in 1863, leaving seven children - 
Andrew, Mary, Achsah, Maria, La Fayette, Ida and Frank. Mr. WILSON was again 
married, September 1, 1864, to Nancy Ann (Thatcher) Wheeler, born in Essex 
County, N. Y., July 27, 1830; she had by her first husband five children - 
Nancy, Julius H., Jennie, Hattie and Frederick. Mrs. Wilson has by her second 
husband, our subject, two children - Lucy A. and Charles J. S. At Mr. Wilson's 
death, Mrs. Wilson became administratrix of the estate of her husband, and 
assumed full control of the Commercial House.

Additional Comments:
Source: History of Grundy County, Illinois. (1882) Chicago: O.L. Baskin & Co. 
Historical Publishers.

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