James Wilson

JAMES WILSON, a prominent merchant and grain dealer of Elm City, Labette county, Kansas, has been a resident of Elm Grove township since 1879. He was born in Ohio in 1833, and is a son of Hiram and Martha (Wallace) Wilson.

Hiram Wilson was born in Virginia in 1809, and was a carpenter and miller by trade. He married Martha Wallace, who was born in Pennsylvania, in 1811, and they reared seven children: Margaret; James; Samuel; Daniel; Henry; Martha; and George.

James Wilson learned the trade of a carpenter while young. He followed this until he enlisted, in 1863, in Company K, 78th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., - serving under General Sherman. He was honorably discharged, at Columbus, Ohio, at the close of the war. He saw much hard service, and took part in the battles at Savannah, Georgia, and Columbus and Orangeburg, South Carolina. He returned to Ohio at the close of the war. In 1879 he decided to remove to the West, and accordingly set out to make the trip by wagon. He consumed fifty-three days in making the journey. After reaching Labette county he settled in Elm Grove township, where be farmed for four years. He returned to Ohio in 1883, on account of his father's failing health, and was engaged as a merchant until 1887. In 1887 he returned to Kansas, and opened his present store in Elm City, where he has since successfully carried on that business. He is also a dealer in grain. Mr. Wilson is a man of good business principles, and is quite prominent in Elm City. He is always interested in municipal affairs, and is one of the first to assist in any public enterprise.

Mr. Wilson married Matilda J. Thorne, who was born in Ohio in 1837, and their union has resulted in the birth of five children, namely: Margaret; H. A.; Martha A.; Mary A.; and D. J. H. A. is in partnership with his father, and is also postmaster of Elm City. He married Estella Hays, and they have two children, - Howard and Irene. Martha A. and Mary A. are twins.

Mr. Wilson is a Republican in politics. He is a member of the G. A. R., Post No. 279, of Edna. He belongs to the Anti-Horsethief Association. Religiously, he is a member of the Christian church.