Biographical Sketch of Vincent Wilson - Andrew County, Missouri >From "History of Missouri, Andrew & DeKalb County" Published 1888 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mo/mofiles.htm ************************************************ Transcribed by: Penny Harrell (Incog3678@aol.com) ********************************************************************** Vincent Wilson, the subject of the following sketch is one of the old- est citizens of Andrew County, MO., and was born in Henry County, VA., January 24, 1818. He is the son of Rice and Milly (Kelley) Wilson, both nativese of Henry County, VA., the former born January 1, 1797, the latter in 1803. Vincent's paternal grandfather was Thomas Wilson, a native of England, and a worthy citizen and farmer. The father was also a farmer by vocation. He married when about twenty-two years of age, and Vincent was the first child of a family of three sons and five daughters, of whom he and two of the daughters are living. When he was eighteen months of age, his father with many relatives removed to Russell County, KY., where he lived until his death in 1881. The mother died in 1875. Our subject was reared on his father's farm, and received a limited education in the schools of Russell County, KY. He worked on the farm until he reached his majority, and then spent one year in parts of Illinois and Missouri, when he returned to his fathers home. He, however, had learned of the productive soil in Missouri, and believed that agricultural pursuits could be more effectively carried on there than in Kentucky, where farming was not very lucrative. Accordingly, in the fall of 1841, together with a company of emigrants, he removed to Platte County, MO., where he engaged in farming. In 1844 he removed to Andrew County, where he has since resided. He owns two fertile and well-improved farms in Platte Township, consisting of 160 and 174 acres, respectively. He has held several positions of honor and trust. For twenty-two years he was a justice in Platte Township, and for twelve years a notary public. He is a member of the Christian Church, and is a Master Mason. In politics he is Democratic. On September 1, 1842, he was united in marriage with Irena Popplewell, daughter of Capt. John Popplewell. She was born in Russell County, KY., April 10, 1827. Three children have blessed their union, of whom one is living. Minerva, born in Andrew County, MO., February 14, 1847, and was married October 4, 1863, to A. J. Agee, a citizen of Andrew County, Missouri.