My Genealogy Hound

Capt. R. C. Wilson, a prominent merchant and citizen of Henning, Tenn., is the son of James and Nancy (Lankford) Wilson. The father was born in Sumner County, Tenn., in 1801, and his mother in Middle Tennessee, in 1802, and they were married about 182l. Eight children—four sons and four daughters—were born to them; two sons and three daughters are living. The mother was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church; the father was not connected with any church; in politics he was a Whig, and died in the spring of 1858, the mother surviving until 1867. Capt. Wilson is of Scotch-Irish descent, and was born in Stewart County, Tenn., May 6, 1836, and was raised on a farm, with limited opportunities for acquiring an education. He remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age, then commenced clerking in a store at Lineport, Tenn., with A. C. Richards & Co. At the beginning of the war he volunteered in the Fourteenth Regiment, Tennessee Volunteers (Confederate Army) as a private, and at the reorganization of the regiment was made first lieutenant, and soon after promoted to captain, which rank he held until the close of the war. He was in all of the engagements with his regiment up to the battle of Gettysburg, when he was captured and held as a prisoner at Johnson’s Island until the close of the war. After the war Capt. Wilson commenced clerking at Linton, Ky., and was married there September 24, 1867, to Miss Alice Wilkin son, who was born in Christian County, Ky., December 21, 1844. No children were born to this marriage, and Mrs. Wilson died August 20, 1870. October 22, 1872, our subject married Miss Emma Bowers, who was born in Haywood County, March 21, 1849. Of three children born to this marriage two died in infancy, and the other, James Blucher, born August 10, 1875, is still living. Mrs. Wilson was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and died September 1, 1877, and June 1, 1879, Capt. Wilson was united in marriage to Mrs. Susie Cox (Bowers), who was born in Haywood County, June 17, 1854. One son and a daughter have been born to this union: Annie Belle, born April 30, 1880, and Joel Wellington, born May 31, 1884. Capt. Wilson has been engaged in the general merchandise business at Henning, Tenn., of the firm Wilson & Bowers, since 1874, meeting with marked success, although his business houses were destroyed by the disastrous fire that occurred in Henning, May 7, 1886. Capt. Wilson and wife are leading members in the Christian Church. In politics he has abandoned all party ties and stands boldly for prohibition; he is a Mason, and is financial secretary of the Henning Lodge of K. of H., and is a most pleasant, agreeable gentleman and an astute business manager.