Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and
Biographical Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and
Marion Counties-George W. Wilsey
Portrait and Biographical
Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion
Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893
GEORGE W. WILSEY, one of the representative
farmers of Hayes Township, owns and operates a farm on section 31. He
settled here in Dickinson County about 1882.
Washington County, Ind., was the place of his birth,
which occurred on the 13th of July, 1851. His
father, Adam C. Wilsey, was a native of the Empire
State, and his mother, Margaret Loudon before
marriage, was a Southern lady, who claimed
South Carolina as the place of her birth. Eight
children were the result of this union, two being
sons and six daughters. The parents lived for
many years in Washington County, Ind., where
they both passed away.
The subject of this sketch was the youngest of
the family. He remained under the parental roof
until he attained manhood. When about twenty one
years of age he went to Iroquois County, Ill.,
where he worked on a farm for some two years,
after which he went to Chicago and was there employed
as driver and conductor on the street railway
during a period of about three years. In
February of 1877, he came to Dickinson County,
and for four years engaged in farming in Hayes
Township. He went to Colorado in 1881, where
he remained about six months, and then returned
to Dickinson County. Since that time he has resided
here.
Mr. Wilsey was united in wedlock September
13, 1883, in Abilene, Kan., to Mrs. C. E. Loudon,
the widow of John Loudon, who died January 10,
1880, while making a visit to Iroquois County,
Ill. He was born in that county December 31,
1846, and was there married on the 29th of February
1871. By their marriage they had four children:
Charles H., George R., Willie D. and Irena
D. The last two named are deceased. Mr. Loudon
came to Dickinson County in the fall of 1872,
and engaged in fanning in Hayes Township. To
Mr. and Mrs. Wilsey have been born two children,
Ada E. and Leslie A. Cordelia E. Thisler was the
maiden name of Mrs. Wilsey, she being a daughter
of George and Eliza (Warren) Thisler, both natives
of New York. They moved to Dickinson County,
Kan., in March, 1872, settling in Hayes Township,
where they resided for several years, and then removed
to Detroit, in Centre Township. In the
spring of 1884 they settled in the village of Chapman,
where they lived until the death of the
mother in July, 1887. The father still survives.
Mrs. Wilsey is the eldest of three children. She
was born in White Pigeon Township, St. Joseph
County, Mich., October 17, 1852.
Mr. Wilsey is a member of the People's party.
In all local affairs ho takes a warm interest, doing
all in his power to advance the township's best interests,
and has served them in the capacity of
School Director, acquitting himself in the duties
of that position with fidelity and earnestness. He
has a well-improved farm, numbering one hundred
and sixty acres, and numerous good and substantial
buildings erected upon it. He has won the
reputation of being a man of integrity and honor,
a good business man and a thrifty farmer. Since
turning his attention to farming, he has given it
his entire attention, and by his industry and well directed
energy has succeeded in obtaining a good
competency and a pleasant and comfortable home.
(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for
Dickinson County KS AHGP