My Genealogy Hound

J. B. Willson, farmer, Hope, Ark. Mr. Willson’s parents, Rev. James and Sarah (Cameron) Willson, were both of Scotch-Irish origin, and the father was born in South Carolina, but reared in Georgia. He was a minister in the Baptist Church for sixty-five or seventy years, and to this calling he devoted most of his labor, although he also tilled the soil. His death occurred in Georgia in 1880, when he was over ninety-six years of age, and on the place where he had resided since 1833. He was twice married, and became the father of six children by his first wife. These children are supposed to be dead, as nothing has been heard of them for years. To his second marriage were born three sons and one daughter, only one besides our subject now living, J. D. (who resides in Texas). The other two were W. C. (a twin of John D., who died in Georgia in 1889) and Lucinda J. (deceased wife of J. A. Fomby). J. B. Willson was born in Georgia in 1832, was educated in the subscription schools of his native county, and attended college at La Grange, Ga., for some time. When twenty-one years of age, he started out to fight life’s battles for himself, but continued with his father until four years later. When twenty-six years of age, he was married to Miss Sarah C. Early, the daughter of Simeon and Elmira (Bird) Early, natives of Georgia. After his marriage Mr. Willson began farming in Georgia, and continued this occupation until 1861, when he came to Drew County, Ark., and settled seventeen miles south of Monticello, where he still continued to till the soil. He also taught school, and made his home there until 1864, when he moved to Columbia County, and began farming on rented land. He afterward bought an unimproved farm, on which he remained until 1876, when he came to this county. Here he rented land for three years, and in 1879 bought his present property, consisting of 160 acres of unimproved land. He now has eighty acres of this under cultivation, has a fine residence and excellent outbuildings. He has since added eighty acres, and has about twenty-five acres of this under a fine state of cultivation. To his marriage have been born ten children, all living but one, who died at the age of two years. Those living are Thomas E. (farmer of this county), C. T. (now in college at Arkadelphia, preparing for the ministry), Walter P. (of Texas), J. B., Jr., W. H. (also attending college at Arkadelphia), Early R., J. Hodge, Alma C. and Joe C. Mr. and Mrs. Willson are both members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Politically Mr. Willson is a Democrat. He is one of the most respected and esteemed citizens of the county. Although he is now in his fifty-eighth year, he has never been known to swear, nor has he ever taken a drink of any beverage that would intoxicate.