My Genealogy Hound

JAMES WILSON was born November 24, 1806, in Scotland and is a son of William and Margaret (Reid) Wilson. His grandfather James Wilson was also a native of Scotland, of plebeian birth, where he passed his life and died. His grandfather on the maternal side was like-wise a Scotchman and a merchant by occupation. He died in his native land. William Wilson, father of James Wilson, was born in Scotland, and died in 1832.

The son, James Wilson, received what education he has in the schools of his native country and in 1827 he bid adieu to his Scottish home and sailed for America. He first took up his residence in the town of Hanover, New York, near Silver Creek, an uncle, John Reid, who died March 16, 1837, and himself settling upon the farm where he still lives. Here they built a cabin in the midst of dense woods and began to clear the tract of land upon which they had settled. The present condition of his farm is in a great measure due to his own efforts and untiring energy.

James Wilson was thrice married; first, to Philena Davison, by whom he had twelve children. His second wife was Harriet Flint, upon whose death, he again married, Mrs. Matilda (Torrey) Johnson. His surviving children are Margaret, wife of S. L. Mead, a resident of near Forestville, Chautauqua county, New York; Henry, a farmer by occupation, living with his father; and Mary C., wife of Robert O. Bradley, a farmer living near Silver Creek.

James Wilson has always followed the vocation of farming, and, as such, has been very successful, gathering about him considerable real and personal property. He is a thorough-going republican in his political allegiance and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was formerly a member of the I. O. O. F. in good standing, but has allowed his membership to lapse. Mr. Wilson enjoys the respect and good will of his neighbors.