My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM WILSON, farmer, Sec. 1; P. O. Towanda; one of the early pioneers of McLean Co.; he was born in Fayette Co., Penn., May 1, 1822. His father, Smith Wilson, was born in Ireland, and emigrated to America with six brothers, when he was quite a young boy. He married in Virginia, Latta Corbitt; she was born in Virginia. They emigrated to Pennsylvania from Virginia, in the early part of the present century. Mr. Wilson died in Pennsylvania when about 45 years of age. Mrs. Wilson died in Bloomington May 15, 1864, at the age of 72 years. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom five are living. The subject of this sketch assisted his father in farming until 19 years of age, when he learned the brick mason’s trade, which he followed in Monongahela City for nine years, and continued the above business, with contracting and building, until he emigrated West and located in Bloomington in the fall of 1859, where he followed the same business until February, 1869, at which date he located upon his present place, where he has since lived, and is engaged in farming 162 acres. He was married in 1849, to Eliza Curry. She died in Pennsylvania in 1857, leaving two children — James, born May 10, 1856, now living in Colorado; Belle, living in California. His marriage with Mrs. Louisa Kennedy was celebrated Nov. 23, 1864. Her maiden name was Newton; she was born in Kentucky Sept. 30, 1835. She emigrated with her father, Henry Newton, to Illinois, in 1836, and to McLean Co., in 1844. They have two children by this union — Eddie, born Sept. 27, 1865; Gracie, Dec. 26, 1870. Mr. Wilson was elected Alderman of the Fourth Ward of Bloomington, for two years, and has held the office of School Trustee and some other petty offices in this township. He has taken a deep interest in the cause of religion, having been a member of the Presbyterian Church for the last quarter of a century, and is one of the Ruling Elders. Mrs. Wilson has been a church member for the same period.