My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Lawrence County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  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.

* * * *

J. S. Wilson is a member of the mercantile firm of Wilson & Loy, and was born in Everton, Tenn., April 3, 1846. His parents, Solomon and Mary a. (Bell) Wilson, were also born in Tennessee, where the great-grandfather settled at an early day, and there the grandfather was born and reared. Solomon Wilson was a farmer during his early life, and in 1856 immigrated to Dade County, Mo., where he purchased a farm and lived until 1887, when he began merchandising at Everett, Mo., and there still resides. He became the father of fifteen children, twelve of whom are living: John S., Eleanor (Mrs. John Landress), Eliza A. (Mrs. Evan Carlock), George W., William O., Frank, James G., Solomon H., Mary L. (Mrs. William Roarck), Victoria, Albert and Vedia. The boyhood days of J. S. Wilson were spent in attending school and tilling his father’s farm in Dade County. In 1864 he enlisted in Company I, Fifteenth Missouri Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. He was corporal part of the time, and was in the engagements of the Blues and at Newtonia. In 1868 he moved to Butler County, Kan., where he farmed until 1886, and in May of that year came to Aurora and engaged in the mercantile business, the firm being known as Wilson Bros, until March 15, 1888, when Samuel E. Loy bought out S. H. Wilson, and the firm has since been Wilson & Loy. They keep an excellent stock of goods, and are doing a good business. Mr. Wilson was married in 1865 to Sarah E. Hall, of Missouri, by whom he is the father of five children: Martha A. George S., Sarah E., William Walter and James Grover. He and wife are worshipers in the Baptist Church, and he is a member of the A. O. U. W.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 272 biographies included in The History of Lawrence County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Lawrence County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.