Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 582 - 584 

JOHN C. WILSON, a leading member of the dental profession of Wichita, comes of an old Kentucky family of Scotch-Irish descent. Andrew Wilson, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born in the North of Ireland, and emigrated from there to this country in early life. He settled in Botetourt County, Va., where two of his brothers also settled, another brother settled in Ohio, and still another settled in Massachusetts.

            In 1788 Andrew Wilson moved to Kentucky with his family, and became a pioneer of that State, and a contemporary of the famous Daniel Boone. He settled in a part of the State that was heavily timbered with forest trees of all descriptions, and cleared a farm from that dense wilderness. Kentucky was at that time the scene of many bloody battles with Indians, and was called the "dark and bloody ground." The brave pioneers of that day were men of stern stuff, of great strength of character as well as of physique, and were accustomed to hardships from which the men of to-day would shrink. From that fearless, hardy stock many of the present families of Kentucky are descended, and no better ancestry can be found in the pages of history.

            Mr. Wilson worked in the salt mines of Kentucky near Crab Orchard, and a long distance from his home, about two days' ride on horseback. His little son William was accustomed to go on horseback to take him home. During one of these journeys the father died suddenly, and William, in great distress, alone in the wilderness then filled with hostile Indians, was obliged to leave the body of his father and go twenty miles for help. His horse either strayed or was stolen by the Indians, and he had to proceed on foot. He managed with great difficulty to obtain help, as the man of whom he asked assistance was unwilling to go through the wilderness, but learning that Mr. Wilson was a Mason he returned with the boy, and they made a rude coffin from the trunk of a black-walnut tree and buried the body by the wayside.

            William C. Wilson, the son referred to, and one of the principal actors in that solemn, dramatic, and, perhaps, not uncharacteristic pioneer scene, was the grandfather of our subject. He was born in Virginia, in 1787, and was an infant when his parents removed to Kentucky, and in Montgomery County, that State, he grew to manhood amid the scenes and dangers of a pioneer life. He had four brothers and three sisters, as follows: George, Andrew, Alexander, Patrick H., Polly, Sally and Jenny; their average age was seventy-seven years, and their combined ages amounted to 539 years. During the War of 1812 lots were drawn to decide who should go to the front and who should stay at home to care for the families, the lot falling on one of William's brothers. In the county in which he had been reared Mr. Wilson married for his first wife Miss Fanny Phillips, daughter of John Phillips, aad sister of William Phillips, editor of the Western Christian Advocate, Cincinnati, Ohio, also author of religious works and debater with Alexander Campbell. By that marriage he had four children -- Branock, Peter, John C. and Mary F. In 1813 Mr. Wilson moved to Indiana, which was then a Territory, and settled on a farm in Jefferson County, where he fought for the ground, and which remained his home until his death, in 1874. He was a man of excellent character, respected and beloved by many, and a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. By his second marriage Miss Polly Schrowder, of Jefferson County, Ind., of German ancestry, formerly of Kentucky, became his wife, and bore him eight children, namely: Mary, Alexander, Andrew J., Sarah, James H., Louis B., Patrick H., and one child who died young.

            John C. Wilson, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Jefferson County, Ind., in 1815. He managed to obtain a good common-school education under great disadvantages, and afterward utilized his knowledge by becoming a teacher for some time. He adopted the calling of a farmer for his life-work, and in 1825 obtained a wife and a helpmeet in the person of Miss Anne Jane Reynolds, of Indiana, daughter of Simeon and Charity Reynolds. They had seven children  -- Simeon L., W. C., Nelson H., Sarah M., Branock P., James R. and Martha.

             Mr. Wilson bought a farm in Jefferson County, Ind., and still lives there, leading the quiet life of a farmer. The wife of his early years, who had devoted herself to his interests and had tenderly cared for their children, was taken from him, and Mr. Wilson was afterward married to Mrs. Mary Ross, nee McGornigle, who bore him five children, namely: Mary A., John C., J. R., Altamac and Elizabeth. His second wife, a most worthy woman in all respects, departed this life, and Mr. Wilson's third marriage was to Mrs. Mary A. Abrams, an excellent wife and a true helpmeet. Five children have been born to them, as follows: Mollie, Mattie, Alta, Fannie and Lottie. Mr. Wilson has been the father of twenty children, fifteen of whom grew to maturity. They are scattered now in different parts of the United States. He is, at the age of seventy-three, vigorous, hale and active, bearing the burden of his years with ease, and with unimpaired mental as well as physical faculties, and bids fair to round out a good old age. He has kept unspotted his priceless inheritance of an honorable and virtuous character. It is said that among the large family of Wilsons, of which he is so noble a representative, that not one ever committed a crime, or was ever imprisoned for any offense; they have always been a family of good repute, and fair circumstances, and the principles of integrity and honesty have been taught and held sacred by them.

            Mr. Wilson has taken a leading part in the public affairs of his native county. In 1861 he represented his district in the Legislature of Indiana, during a special session in the exciting times of the Civil War. He has ably filled various township offices, and has been Justice of the Peace. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and an active member of the Baptist Church; in political opinions he is a Democrat, but during the war he was a Republican and acted with that party, being a strong Union man. He is held in universal respect by his fellow-townsmen.

            W. C. Wilson, his second son, was born on the old homestead, in 1843, and received a common-school education. In 1861, when Abraham Lincoln made his first call for troops, young Wilson, then but eighteen years of age, promptly responded, and volunteered as a member of Company K, 12th Indiana Infantry, in which capacity he rendered his country valiant and efficient service. When he retired from the army, on his return to Indiana, he commenced to study dentistry and after practicing in his native State for three years he went to California, in 1873. He settled in Yolo County, where he resided for fourteen years. In 1870 he married Miss Jane Snodgrass, daughter of George Snodgrass, of California, formerly of Indiana. Of this union three children have been born -- May, Alice Myrtle and Lizzie Ethel. Socially, Mr. Wilson is a Royal Arch Mason, and politically he is a Republican.

            John C. Wilson, the subject of this sketch, was born in Jefferson County, Ind., on his father's homestead, in 1857. He received a very good education, and at an early age began to learn dental surgery of his brother, being then but sixteen years old. Under his brother's competent instruction he gained a thorough knowledge of his chosen profession, and first began to practice it in Loogootec, Martin Co., Ind. He finally came to Wichita and opened an office here, as he saw a fine opening for gentlemen of his profession in this beautiful metropolis, and the success that he has met has fully equaled his expectations ; he is already in possession of a good practice, and is considered in every respect a fine dentist and an ornament to his profession.

            The amiable and devoted wife, who presides so pleasantly over the cozy home of Dr. Wilson, was formerly Miss Ura Lamuan, daughter of Jacob Lamuan, of Petersburg, Ind. One son has been born to them, to whom they have given the name Walter. Both our subject and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in their social and private life show themselves to he guided by Christian principles. The Doctor is an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias, and in politics he is a firm believer in the Republican party, supporting it by all the means in his power.

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