Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and
Biographical Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and
Marion Counties-James R. Wilson
Portrait and Biographical
Album of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion
Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893
JAMES R. WILSON is a leading merchant of
Carlton, Dickinson County. He was born
in County Antrim, Ireland, on the 21st of
March, 1848, and was the sixth in order of
birth in a family of eleven children. His father
is William J. Wilson, and his mother bore the
maiden name of Catherine Robinson. They are
yet living and still make their home in County
Antrim.
The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood
in the county of his nativity, the days of his
boyhood and youth being spent upon his father's
farm. He was also employed in a flax mill for
two or three years. Wishing to try his fortune in
America, and hoping to better his financial condition
thereby, he sailed for the New World in 1868,
after bidding good-bye to his friends on the Emerald
Isle. On landing in this country he made a
location in Washington County, Pa., where he secured
employment as a farm hand for three years.
With the capital he thus secured he then embarked
in farming on his own account and followed that
occupation in the Keystone State until 1880,
when he came to Dickinson County, Kan. The
previous year he had purchased a farm in Holland
Township, and he now located upon it, devoting
his time and attention to its cultivation and improvement
until June, 1888, when became to Carlton
and embarked in the mercantile business.
During the first two years he also continued to
operate his farm. He still owns two hundred and
forty acres of valuable land and carries on general
stock-raising. In the line of merchandising he
has met with good success, building up an excellent
trade and securing a liberal patronage among
the best class of people in the community.
Mr. Wilson was married in Washington County,
Pa., to Matilda Stinson, who is also a native of
County Antrim, Ireland. He and his wife have a
large circle of friends and acquaintances in the
community, who hold them in high esteem for
their sterling worth and many excellencies of
character.
The cause of education finds in Mr. Wilson a
true friend. For some ten years he has served as
a member of the School Board, and has done much
for the best interests of the schools in the community.
In his political affiliations he is a Republican,
having supported that party since he became
an American citizen. He takes quite an active
part in religious work and with his wife is a prominent
member of the United Presbyterian Church,
of which he has served as one of the Ruling Elders.
His life has been an upright one and in many
respects is well worthy of emulation. It was a
fortunate day for Mr. Wilson when he determined
to emigrate to America, for here he has not only
won prosperity but has also secured a pleasant
home and gained many warm friends.
(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for
Dickinson County KS AHGP