My Genealogy Hound

DAVID J. WILSON of Percy assumed the management of the McGuire Mines in 1892, and has since successfully conducted the same. He has the confidence of his employers, the respect of those who work under his direction, and in the history of his adopted county he well deserves representation. He is a native of Scotland, his birth having occurred in Lanarkshire, on the 14th of June, 1847. His parents were David and Isabella (Jeffrey) Wilson, and he was the fifth child in their family. The father was a miner and followed that vocation in Scotland up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1867. Mrs. Wilson continued to reside in her native land until three years after her husband’s death, when, in 1870, she crossed the briny deep to America, and took up her residence in Will County, Ill. Her death occurred in Braidwood, Ill., on the 15th of August, 1882.

David Wilson, whose name heads this record, received but limited educational privileges, as he attended the public schools of his native county only until ten years of age. He then began to earn his own livelihood, and has since been dependent upon his own resources, so that whatever success he has achieved in life is due entirely to his own efforts. He began working in the mines of Scotland, and was thus employed until 1866, when he bade adieu to home and friends and sailed for the New World. After arriving in America, he took up his residence in Braidwood, Ill., where he engaged in mining, spending the succeeding ten years of his life in that place. He then came to Murphysboro, Ill., and took charge of the mines for the St. Louis Ore and Steel Company, continuing to be Superintendent of the same for another decade. As before stated, he came to Percy, Ill., in 1892 and assumed charge of the McGuire Mines, which he has since conducted.

On the 27th of May, 1882, Mr. Wilson was married to Miss Mary James, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Evans) James, both of whom were natives of Wales. Unto our subject and his wife were born four daughters, who in order of birth are as follows: Belle, Lizzie, May and Annie. The two eldest now attend school. May died January 25, 1894, at the age of three years.

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were reared in the faith of the Baptist Church, and are highly respected citizens of this community, who hold an enviable position in social circles where true worth and intelligence are received as the passports into good society. Socially, Mr. Wilson is connected with Steubenville Lodge No. 495, A. F. & A. M., and with Leonidas Lodge No. 87, K. P., of Murphysboro. The Republican party finds in him a stalwart supporter, ever ready to advance its interests by all worthy means. Mr. Wilson is an experienced miner, and has been very successful in the management of mines. He now occupies a responsible position, and his duties are discharged to the entire satisfaction of his employer.