Biographical Sketch of James WILSON (1893); Chester County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by John Morris . *********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** Source: "Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsyl- vania, comprising a historical sketch of the county," by Samuel T. Wiley and edited by Winfield Scott Garner, Gresham Publishing Company, Phila- delphia, PA, 1893, pp. 803-4. "JAMES WILSON, a prominent farmer and stock dealer of Kimberton, who for some years was engaged in merchandising at Wilson's Corners, is the only surviving son of John and Mary (Whitesides) Wilson, and was born March 31, 1820, in the house he now occupies in West Vincent township, Chester county, Pennsylvania. This family is one of the oldest in the Keystone State, and its members have been natives of Pennsylvania since colonial times. Thomas Wilson, paternal grandfather of James, was born in Chester county, and after attaining manhood married and took up the land which has ever since been in the family, and which is now owned by the subject of this sketch. Here he passed the remainder of his life, actively en- gaged in cultivating the soil and improving his farm. Here, too, he died, at an advanced age. Among his children was John Wilson (father), who was a native of West Vincent township, and died at his home here. He was a farmer by occupation, and in politics a stanch democrat. In religious faith and church membership he was an Episcopalian, and he married Mary Whitesides, of this county. By this union he had a family of four chil- dren, only two of whom now survive; Mary Ann and James, whose name intro- duces this sketch. "James Wilson grew to manhood on his father's farm, which is now his own, and received his education in the common schools of his neighborhood. Some time after leaving school he embarked in general merchandising at Wilson's Corners, and successfully conducted that business for a period of nine years, after which he engaged in farming on the old homestead, and likewise began dealing in live stock. His farm consists of one hundred and twelve acres of valuable land, all well improved and supplied with excellent farm buildings. Following the political traditions of his an- cestors, he has been a life-long democrat, and has frequently served as judge and supervisor of elections in his township. He also adheres to the religious faith in which he was reared, and for many years has been an active and influential member of the Episcopal church. "James Wilson married Elizabeth C. Emery, a daughter of Henry Emery, of West Pikeland township. To their union was born a family of five children, one son and four daughters: Emma, married Abram Pugh of Phoenix, this county; Clara, Thomas B., who married a Miss Sloyer, and is now engaged in farming in West Vincent township; Ella, living at home; and Laura, who became the wife of Ralph P. Bush, of Royer's Ford, Montgomery county. Mrs. Elizabeth C. Wilson, the mother of these children, is still living."