BIO: John A. WILSON, Huntingdon County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 148-149.
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  JOHN A. WILSON, McAlevys Fort, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born in 
Cambria county, Pa., January 27, 1820, son of Robert and Mary 
(Anderson) Wilson. The Wilson family is of Scotch-Irish origin. George 
Wilson, grandfather of John A., was born in Ireland; emigrating from 
that country, he came to America, and settled near Petersburg, Pa. He 
was a farmer and stock raiser. He took part in the Revolutionary war, 
and among the traditions of the family are his encounters with Indian 
marauders, near Shavers Creek. He was a Democrat. George Wilson was 
married to Margerie Colwell, of Huntingdon county. Their children are: 
David; James; Robert; Rachel; Margaret; Jane; and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. 
Wilson both died on the homestead, in the comfortable log dwelling 
which he had built. He also erected a barn. Mr. Wilson was a member of 
the United Presbyterian church. Robert, their third son, after a few 
years attendance at school, turned his attention to farming, in which 
business he continued all his life. He was thus engaged successively at 
Shavers Creek; then in Centre county, Pa., where he also undertook 
stock raising, and where he died in 1852. Robert Wilson was a Democrat. 
His wife, whom he married in Cambria county, was Mary, daughter of 
Andrew Anderson, of that county, and like the Wilsons, of Scotch-Irish 
descent. Their children are: Margaret, deceased, wife of Ennis Wilson; 
Andrew, of Jackson township; Daniel, deceased; John A.; George, a 
veteran soldier, of Jackson township; Robert, deceased; Mary J., 
deceased, wife of David Hendershot, who died while serving in the 
United States army. Mrs. Robert Wilson died in Centre county in 1835. 
Mr. Wilson was a Presbyterian; he was all his life a steady and 
diligent worker, faithful to duty, and enjoying the respect and esteem 
due to his solid and conscientious character.
  Although enjoying only limited educational opportunities, attending 
no institution of higher grade than the Huntingdon county common 
schools, John A. Wilson succeeded through natural endowments and 
persevering application, in making fair acquisitions of knowledge. He 
worked for the neighboring farmers for four dollars per month when only 
twelve years of age, but continued to attend school during the winter. 
In the following year, he wages rose to seven dollars per month; after 
working for two years he had saved the sum of seventy-five dollars, 
which he lent to a neighbor. The borrower failing in business, Mr. 
Wilson lost the greater part of his hard earned money. He was employed 
by different farmers during nineteen years, nine of which he spent with 
John C. Davis and Jacob Hunter, of Huntingdon county. After this, with 
a small sum which he had saved, Mr. Wilson bought 150 acres on Warriors 
Ridge, where he remained four years, making improvements on the place. 
He then sold that property and bought 250 acres in Jackson township, on 
which he built a barn. There was a dwelling on the land, which he 
improved. After a residence of twenty-four years in that place, Mr. 
Wilson sold the farm, and bought the place known as the "James Barr 
farm," containing 130 acres; leaving that property in the care of his 
son, he bought a house at McAlevys Fort, and for four years lived at 
leisure. In 1885 he removed to his present home, which has since been 
his continual place of residence. A life of honorable and unremitting 
toil has fairly entitled Mr. Wilson and his excellent wife to the ease 
and leisure which in their ripe years they are enjoying.
  John A. Wilson was married in January, 1854, in Jackson township, to 
Agnes, daughter of Robert and Mary (Sterrett) Cummins, both of Scotch-
Irish descent. Mr. Cummins was a farmer. They were members of the 
Associate Presbyterian church. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are: 
Mary E., wife of John C. Barr, M.D., of McAlevys Fort; Robert C., 
farmer, of Jackson township, married Laura Agnes Barr, and has four 
children. Mr. Wilson has served not only his own and his family's 
interests, but those of the community and the church. He is a 
Republican, has been chosen as supervisor and as auditor, and has also 
served on the school board. He is a member of the United Presbyterian 
church, and besides contributing $40 annually for church purposes, he 
also subscribed $500 to the building of the present house of worship.