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Below is a family biography included in The History of Barton County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  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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James Hill Wilson, president of the First National Bank of Lamar, is a native of Lincoln County, N. C., born December 11, 1831, being a son of James and Mary (Campbell) Wilson, who were also born in the “Old North State,” in 1786 and 1795, respectively; they were married in 1812, and resided in that State until 1834, when they moved to Owen County, Ind., where the father was engaged in farming and school teaching, and died at the age of seventy-two years, and his wife at the age of seventy-eight. He was a Whig politically. He and wife were members of the Methodist Church, and the pioneer preachers made their house their home, and, as church houses were few, often preached in their old home. James H. Wilson received his education in the old log school-house, where school was taught three months in the year. At the age of twenty years he went to work at the carpenter’s trade at ten dollars per month, but soon had his wages advanced, and in two years was getting one dollar and a half per day, which was the highest price paid to carpenters in that day. On November 27, 1855, he was married to Ann M. Miller, a daughter of Hon. James F. Miller. She was born in Kentucky, and was raised in Indiana, and her union with Mr. Wilson resulted in the birth of ten children, eight sons and two daughters, five sons and two daughters now living: E. Stanley, Laura B., Lizzie E., James F., Joseph C., Lovel B. and Scott H. In 1864 he moved to Douglas County, Ill., and engaged in farming and buying and shipping grain, and in April, 1882, moved to Lamar, Mo., and embarked in the real estate and loan business. He is treasurer of Lamar school district, and president of the First National Bank. Politically he is a Prohibitionist, believing that the saloon is the greatest evil of the day.

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This family biography is one of 166 biographies included in The History of Barton County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Barton County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Barton County, Missouri family biographies, click here

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