My Genealogy Hound

John Adams Wilson, farmer, Rison, Ark. Mr. Wilson is a native-born resident of this county, his birth occurring in White Oak Township in 1856, and is one of the most enterprising and successful young agriculturists to be found in the same. His parents, John S. and Louisa (Shell) Wilson, were natives of Alabama, born in 1826 and 1829, respectively. Both came with their parents to Arkansas, when young, were married in what is now Grant County, and settled near where our subject now lives. Mr. Wilson died in 1884 and his widow in 1886. Both were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for many years. Mr. Wilson started a poor boy, but by industry and economy became a very successful farmer. He filled the position of justice of the peace for a number of years, and during the late war he served about six months in the Confederate army with Capt. Porter, in the Arkansas Cavalry. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, Brushywoods’ Lodge. His father, John Wilson, was one of the earliest pioneers in this part of Arkansas, where he passed his last days. He was of Scotch-Irish descent. The maternal grandfather, Adam Shell, was an early settler of what is now Grant County, where he died. He was born in East Tennessee, and there remained until coming to Arkansas. John Adams Wilson was the second of eight children born to his parents, six of whom are now living, and all in Cleveland County. Being early taught the duties of farm life by his father, it was but natural that, when starting out for himself, he should engage in that as his chosen calling in life. His marriage nuptials were celebrated in 1878 with Miss Emma Brown, a native of Georgia, and the daughter of Morgan and Ann Brown, natives of Georgia. Her parents came to Cleveland County in 1867, and there the father died about 1877. The mother is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were born six children, one son and three daughters now living. Mr. Wilson has 160 acres of good land, and he and wife have been members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for a number of years.