My Genealogy Hound

A. J. WILSON, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Bloomington; was born in 1829, Dec. 26, on farm in Madison Co., N. Y.; remained there, farming, until 21; when he was 14 years old, his father moved to Illinois, leaving A. J. with his uncle, Edward Wilson, with whom he made his home until 1850, when he came to Bloomington and engaged in clerking for Betts, Allen & Co., in dry goods, for twelve years. In 1860, he was married to Ellen Cornell, of Providence, R. I. After marriage, they settled in Springfield, Ill., and he clerked for Benjamin & Co., in dry goods store for two years. He then returned to McLean Co., and engaged in farming on his present farm of eighty acres; renting at that time of his father. Sometime afterward he bought, and by improvement has made a most beautiful home. Mr. Wilson, in connection with farming grain, makes a specialty of raising hedge plants. He has held office of School Director fourteen years, Supervisor of Dale Township two terms, is now on third term. They have eight children — Nellie, Charlie, Edward, Elizabeth, Abby, Mary, Robert and Frank.