Bio of Willson, Hon. Hugh P. (b.1819) Wabasha Co., MN
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This bio comes from "HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY" 1884.
Check out Barbara's site for more great information on this book:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnwabbio/wab1.htm
There are also some pictures and information from descendents for some 
of the bios on her pages.

Willson, Hon. Hugh P., (page 1276), of Grand Forks, Dakota Territory, was
one of the first settlers in Wabasha county, whither he came in the fall
of 1854, from Crawford county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Willson was born December
3, 1819. His parents were Hugh and Hannah (Allen) Willson. His educational
advantages were very limited; he attended school but about fourteen months
all told, but being of a studious disposition he early began the
self-imposed task of educating himself without the assistance of teachers.
In this he was remarkably successful as gaining a fair knowledge not only
of the common branches, but also of the high sciences, history and
literature. He engaged in farming in his native county until 1854, when,
in the fall of that year, he came to Wabasha county and took a claim near
Kellogg. here he remained until the spring of 1857, when he came to
Greenwood prairie, and located a pre-emption claim on section 11, in Elgin
township, the place now owned by Russell Marshall. The next fall he bought
land in Plainview village, which he afterward platted, as an addition to
the village, as East Plainview. Mr. Willson was justice of the peace for
six years, during which time he acquired a taste for legal studies; in
1866 was admitted to the bar, opened a law office in Plainview, and
continued the practice of law here until February, 1881, when he left
Plainview, and went to Grand Forks, Dakota Territory, where he engaged in
the real-estate and loaning business. Judge Willson was the first judge of
probate for Wabasha county. In politics is a democrat. He was married, May
22, 1851, to Sarah E. Cole, in Pennsylvania, who died January 23, 1873,
leaving two children, namely, Frank A., of Pembina county, Dakota
Territory, and Mary, of Grand Forks. Frank Willson was the first white
child born in Wabasha county, south of the Zumbro river.