My Genealogy Hound

JOHN H. WILSON, an enterprising boot and shoe merchant at Armada, Nebr., was born in Woodford county, Ill., October 27, 1857, and is the son of William S., and Mary (Tomb) Wilson. His father was born in Highland county, Ohio, March 10, 1833, but moved to Illinois when a young man. He served in the war of the rebellion, enlisting in the fall of 1864, in the Eighth Illinois infantry, and had served only about eight months, when he was killed in the battle of Fort Gaines, Ala. He had always lived an upright, consistent life, was an active member of the Christian church and was highly respected by all who knew him. His wife is still living, is also a devoted and conscientious worker in the cause of religion, and is a member in the highest standing in the Christian church. But little is known of the paternal grandfather of the subject of this brief biographical sketch, except that his name was James Wilson, and that he died about 1856. The maternal grandfather is Matthew W. Tomb, who is a native of Ohio, but who emigrated to Illinois in 1855. He is a leading agriculturist and a prominent man in the community where he resides, has held various local offices and is a respected member of the Christian church. He and his faithful wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Moore, are still living. John H. Wilson is the eldest of six children, one of whom is now dead, and upon him devolved largely the care and responsibility of his mother, with whom he remained until eighteen years of age. He began life for himself at twenty-one as a farmer in Illinois. In the spring of 1885, he immigrated to Buffalo county, Nebr., and purchased railroad land near Armada, which he successfully cultivated for three years. In the meantime he purchased eighty acres more land, making in all 240 acres, a good portion of which he now has under special cultivation. His land lies within one and one-half miles of the town of Armada and is also in what is known as the Wood River valley.

In September, 1888, Mr. Wilson moved to Armada and engaged in the boot and shoe business. He began with a limited amount of capital, and by industry and fair dealing he has succeeded in building up a substantial business, with a rapidly increasing trade. He enjoys the entire confidence of all his patrons and has built up a reputation for selling goods that are “all wool and a yard wide.” He was married January 3, 1883, to Miss De Laura T. Foster, and this union has been blessed with two children — Stanley A. and John F. Mrs. Wilson was born in Marshall county, W. Va., December 4, 1857, and is the daughter of James and Etheline (Wellman) Foster, both natives of that state. Her father died in 1878, but her mother is still living. Her paternal grandfather, James Foster, was born in Ireland, emigrated to America in an early day, and first settled in Pennsylvania, but later in West Virginia. He died in 1865, at the age of eighty-four. His wife was a native of Pennsylvania and died in 1881. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Wilson were Virginians by birth.

Mr. Wilson has held various town offices of responsibility and has several times been re-elected assessor for his township. He and his estimable wife are both members of the Christian church and earnest advocates of temperance.