WILSON, JOHN NEWTON (deceased). - For many years John Newton Wilson was a dominant factor in the life of Virginia, and his memory is still cherished by his former associates who remember his many excellent qualities and business ability. He was born at Newark, Ohio, June 1, 1832, a son of George and Jane Buchanan (Moore) Wilson.

Mr. Wilson was a descendant of David Wilson of Scotland, who, at the time of the persecution of the Covenanters, left his home and took his family to the north of Ireland. William Wilson, grandson of David Wilson, was the founder of the family in this country. He came to America about 1744, settling in the colony of Virginia.

Archibald Wilson, grandfather of John Newton Wilson, served in the Revolutionary war, first as a lieutenant, afterward as a captain. His company was present at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, 1781.

In 1842, with their eight children, George Wilson and wife came to Cass County, Ill., when their son, John N., was about ten years old, and located two miles west of Virginia, on a farm which the father purchased. On that farm John N. Wilson grew to manhood, attending the early schools and the college at Virginia, which stood on the present site of the high school. Remaining in town after completing his education, at first he was a clerk in a drug store, and later became assistant postmaster, and still later was appointed postmaster and held that office for eighteen years, being succeeded by Charles I. Haskill, now of Virginia. In politics he was a strong Republican. Close confinement impaired his health, and in order to keep out of doors, he bought a horse and began selling cattle on commission for others. His efforts were in vain, however, for in 1900, he was taken seriously ill, and after a long sickness he died January 22, 1901.

On September 9, 1858, John N. Wilson was married to Rachel Berry, a daughter of Thomas and America (Morrison) Berry, and they had three daughters, namely: Kate, who is a resident of Virginia, is assistant cashier of the Centennial National Bank; Jessie, who is Mrs. Edwin Beggs, of Ashland; and Ella, who died in infancy. Mrs. Wilson was born April 27, 1837, and died October 30, 1872. Mr. Wilson was married (second) to Mary Walker, a daughter of Solomon Walker, and she died a few months later. The third wife of Mr. Wilson was Lydia Hoyt Ainsworth, whom he married February 5, 1878. She died February 28, 1893.