My Genealogy Hound

PETER L. WILSON, Georgetown, Deputy Auditor, and one of the oldest and most respected citizens of Brown County, was born in England April 30, 1806. He is a son of William H. Wilson, who was a merchant and manufacturer of woolen goods. He came to America, in 1818, locating first at Philadelphia, where his family subsequently joined him. He afterward removed to Pittsburgh, and, on December 24, 1818, landed in Lewis Township, below Augusta, Ky. Soon after, he removed to Washington, Ky., and subsequently to Missouri. He came back to Brown County, and was engaged at his business through life. He resided with our subject some years, and died at his daughter’s house, in Cincinnati. He married Elizabeth Wild, who died many years ago. “Squire Peter Wilson,” as he is familiarly called, was reared in Brown County, and in early life clerked for two years at Augusta, Ky. He then read medicine with Dr. Keith two years, and afterward went to Georgetown, where he was employed as clerk. After again studying medicine, this time with Dr. Buckner, in 1826, he engaged in keeping a tavern, on the present site of the American House. Here he remained in business twenty years, and became acquainted with nearly all the citizens of Brown and adjoining counties. In the fall of 1846, he sold his property, and, the following spring, purchased a farm of 250 acres, on Straight Creek, lying in Pleasant, Franklin and Jefferson Townships. Squire Wilson has resided in one house since 1847, but voted in the three different townships. He was a “Jacksonian Democrat” in early days, and is still an earnest advocate of the principles promulgated by “Old Hickory.” He has been County Commissioner, Auditor and Treasurer, by appointment, and has been connected with the Auditor’s office, in some capacity, almost continuously since 1835. Squire Wilson was the first Mason initiated into the order in Brown County; was the first High Priest of the Chapter at Georgetown, and the first officer in the Council. He was Master of the Russellville Lodge twenty years. He has officiated both as a School Director and Examiner. Squire Wilson was married, in 1826, to Paulina Woods, born on the present site of Georgetown. Of the thirteen children given them, seven are living — Mary A., Gustavus A., John W., Amanda V., Lewis C., Franklin P. and Bertha J., familiarly known as “Sallie.”