Thomas Henry Wilson

WILSON, HENRY, HOSKINS, SHANER, KLAPP, REYNOLDS, STOTSER, CROSS, STRAHORN, BACON

Posted By: Jeffrey R. Phillips (email)
Date: 2/17/2005 at 22:53:06

!BIOGRAPHY Past and Present of Hardin County, Iowa, ed. by William J. Moir. Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen, 1911. p. 545-547:
Thomas H. Wilson
The present sketch is concerned with the history of a representative farmer of Aetna township, Hardin county, a man well and favorably known to his neighbors, an excellent farmer, and an honest and honorable citizen. Thomas H. Wilson was born on April 9, 1833, in Clinton county, Pennsylvania, the son of James and Elizabeth (Henry) Wilson, both natives of Pennsylvania. In 1850, James Wilson and his family came to Stephenson county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm of raw prairie land and improved the same. In 1864 he sold this and came to Hardin township, Hardin county, Iowa, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, partially improved. He was a shoemaker by trade, but preferred farming and stock raising, in which he passed his mature life. The Wilson family is of Irish descent. James Wilson was in earlier times a Whig, and later a Republican. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist church. They were the parents of eleven children, three of whom died in infancy, and seven of whom are living in Iowa. Samantha, Mrs. Hoskins, is deceased. The living are: Jane, now Mrs. Shaner; Samuel L., Thomas H., George W., Margaret, the twin of George W., now Mrs. Klapp, Robert P., and Ellen, now Mrs. Reynolds.

Thomas H. Wilson remained in his father's home until he was of age, receiving his education in a log school house in Pennsylvania, having a slab
with legs affixed for a seat, and a desk as rude. He was married on March 9, 1865, to Hannah E. Stotser, a daughter of John and Hannah Stotser, of
Hardin county. Her father was a native of Switzerland and her mother of Ohio, and they were married in Ohio and came to Stephenson county, Illinois, in the early settlement of the state, entering land from the government. In 1857 they came to Hardin county, Iowa, where they bought a farm, and lived until their death. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson began married life in Hardin township on rented land, and in 1874 bought a farm in that township, which was sold in 1883, in which year Mr. Wilson purchased his present farm of one
hundred acres in Aetna township. This is excellent farming land and has good buildings on it. Mr. Wilson has been successful, and no man in the township is better known or more highly respected for good citizenship.

In 1861 Mr. Wilson enlisted in Company A, Twelfth Iowa Infantry, and served three years and three months until he was honorably discharged. He served on Grant and took part in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg and Pleasant Hill. Many of his comrades fell at his side, but he returned to his parents without a scratch.

In politics Thomas H. Wilson is a stanch Republican and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He and his wife are members of the Disciples church at Robertson, and he is a deacon in the church and lives up to his religious
belief in his daily life. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the parents of seven children living, and have fifteen grandchildren. Five of their twelve
children are dead. Those living are Lillie F., born on November 21, 1871, the wife of Edwin Cross; Elizabeth Jane, born on April , 1877; Ruie B., born on May 5, 1879, now Mrs. Strahorn; Alva H., born on October 24, 1883; Irvin T., born on June 27, 1881; Myrtie E., born on May 15, 1886, now Mrs. Bacon, and Rose Velma, born on December 6, 1891. The deceased with dates of their birth, are: James Alvin, July 29, 1866, died May 17, 1874; William H., born March 27, 1868, died May 23, 1874; Charles H., born February 27, 1873, died
May 30, 1874; George E., born April 5, 1875, and died on October 31, 1885; Clinton Leroy, born on October 20, 1889, died on February 15, 1909.
Elizabeth Jane, Ruie B. and Rose Velma were teachers in public schools of the county, and attended Ellsworth College at Iowa Falls and Ames College.