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George Willis WILSON is a wagon manufacturer of Peirce City, Mo., and was born in Boonville, Oneida Co., N. Y., May 24, 1853. His parents, John and Sarah (WHEELOCK) WILSON, were born in Windham, Conn., and New Hampshire, respectively. To them were born four children, George W. being the second son and child. At an early day he began learning the trade of carriage blacksmithing, and became thoroughly conversant with the technicalities of the business. After coming to Lawrence County, Mo., he continued to work at his trade, and in time was admitted into partnership with his father, with whom he is also interested in the lime business. In connection with P. J. LEHNHARD, he owned the stage line that was in operation prior to the days of the railroad, between Peirce City and Eureka Springs, Ark. The average time of this line was nine hours, and the distance was sixty miles.
In January, 1888, Mr. Wilson became sole proprietor of the wagon
manufactory, and is giving this industry his entire time. He was married to Miss Arizona BRITE, a daughter of Jesse and Julia (HIGGS) BRITE, who were born in Kentucky and North Carolina, respectively. The father came with his parents to Lawrence County in 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have two children: William Harrison and Nettie B.
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J. S. WILSON is a member of the mercantile firm of Wilson & Loy, and was born in Everton, Tenn., April 3, 1846. His parents, Solomon and Mary A. (BELL) WILSON, were also born in Tennessee, where the great-grandfather settled at an early day, and there the grandfather was born and reared. Solomon WILSON was a farmer during the early part of his life, and in 1856 immigrated to Dade County, Mo., where he purchased a farm and lived until 1887, when he began merchandising at Everett, Mo., and there still resides.
He became the father of fifteen children, twelve of whom are living: John S., Eleanor (Mr. John LANDRESS), Eliza A. (Mrs. Evan CARLOCK), George W., William O., Frank, James G., Solomon H., Mary L. (Mrs. William ROARCK), Victoria, Albert and Vedia. The boyhood days of J. S. Wilson were spent in attending school and tilling his father's farm in Dade County. In 1864 he enlisted in Company I, Fifteenth Missouri Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. He was corporal part of the time, and was in the engagements of the Blues and at Newtonia. In 1868 he moved to Butler County, Kan., where he farmed until 1886, and in May of that year came to Aurora and engaged in the mercantile business, the firm being known as Wilson Bros. until March 15, 1888, when Samuel E. Loy bought out S. H. WILSON, and the firm has since been Wilson & Loy. They keep an excellent stock of goods, and are doing a good business. Mr. Wilson was married in 1865 to Sarah E. HALL, of Missouri, by whom he is the father of five children: Martha A., George S., Sarah E., William Walter and James Grover. He and wife are worshipers in the Baptist Church, and he is a member of the A. O. U. W.
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John WILSON, manufacturer of lime at Peirce City, Mo., was born in Windham County, Conn., June 12, 1827, but was reared in Oneida County, N. Y. His parents were Robert and Polly (WALKER) WILSON. The father was of English ancestry, and was a farmer by occupation. He and wife had two children. John, the elder, received a good education, and up to the time of the war served with the Topographical Engineers' Corps in the employ in the Government. He was then employed by the railroad company as civil engineer, and after the town was laid out came to Peirce City, and engaged in the manufacturer of wagons. In 1884 he sold out and engaged in his present business. In 1850 he wedded Sarah WHEELOCK, of New Hampshire, and the following are the children born to their union: Charles H., George W., Nettie E. (wife of P. J. LEHNHARD) and Carrie M. (wife of E. E. SQUIRES, of St. Louis). Mr. Wilson manufactures about 700 bushels of lime every twenty-four hours, which is of a superior quality, and has a ready sale.
He is far above the average in enterprise and intelligence, and is an
honorable and worthy citizen.
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