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Below is a family biography included in History of Union County, Iowa published by S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., in 1908.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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George B. Wilson, living on section 14, Grant township, on a farm which has been his home since 1905, was born in Decatur county, Iowa, October 9, 1867, and is a son of J. M. Wilson, of Grant township, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. He was reared on his father’s farm in Decatur and in Wayne counties of this state and the common schools afforded him his educational privileges. He learned many valuable lessons through experience and observation as well as possessing an observing and a retentive memory. He lived at home with his parents until the removal of the family to Union county and when twenty-one years of age he started out in life on his own account, working by the month for a year as a farm hand, but desiring that his labors should more directly benefit himself he resolved to carry on farming interests on his own account and rented land in Wayne county, which he cultivated for three years.

On the expiration of that period Mr. Wilson was married in Ringgold county, Iowa, on the 3d of March, 1891, the lady of his choice being Miss Aurilla Hathaway, a native of that county. The young couple began their domestic life upon a rented farm where they lived for a year, at the end of which time Mr. Wilson purchased eighty acres of land on section 29, Grant township, Union county. Taking up his abode there, he erected buildings and carried on the work of improving and developing the property for several years. At a later date he bought one hundred and sixty acres adjoining his original purchase and subsequently he sold that property and bought his present farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres on section 14, Grant township. His labors were then turned toward the development of his property, in the midst of which he erected a good two-story residence with all modern conveniences. He also put up the necessary buildings for the shelter of grain and stock and in his farm work makes a specialty of the raising of graded shorthorn cattle, owning a thoroughbred bull. He also raises Chester White hogs and in his fields cultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate. He owns and operates eighty acres of his old home place and one hundred and sixty acres in his present farm. Both properties are well improved and indicate in their well kept appearance that he is an energetic man, who carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born four children but they lost two in infancy. Those still living are Alva and Lethia, both at home. The family attend the Christian church at Shannon City, and Mr. Wilson gives his political support to the democracy. He served on the school board and in other ways has aided in local progress and improvement. He is widely known as a successful farmer, one who brings to bear in his work sound judgment and keen discrimination as well as unfaltering diligence.

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This family biography is one of 247 biographies included in The History of Union County, Iowa published in 1908.  For the complete description, click here: Union County, Iowa History and Genealogy

View additional Union County, Iowa family biographies: Union County, Iowa Biographies

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