My earliest ancestor to arrive in Madison County is: Thomas WILSON Lived in Bridgeport, Indiana until 1857, moved to Earlham, Iowa. Arrived in family carriage with his wife and two daughters. Sons came with loaded wagons and 20 sheep and forty cattle. About 1863 the historic "grout house" was built. A light was placed in the cupola at night to serve as a guide for travelers. This home was a way station for the underground railroad of slavery days. "Uncle Tommy" also served his fellow men as doctor, using native herbs as medicine. Thos. WILSON was my 3xgr-grandfather. His wife was Ruth BARNETT. ch: Barnett, Huldah, Margaret, Seth, Jesse, Christopher, Charles C., Tamar, John, Martha, Ruth, Jane. (Time frame for births: 1835-1855) Barnett WILSON was my 2xgr-grandfather. He married Thamsen HAINES in Guthrie County in 1864. Their children: (all born in Earlham, Madison County) Nellie Jane, Ida Mae, Elizabeth R., Mary Ann, William J.(time frame for births: 1865-1876. Nellie Jane WILSON is my gr-grandmother. She was born in Earlham in 1869, married in 1887 in Dallas County to James A. HORTON, and moved to CA in 1906. All their children were born in Earlham: Emma Madge, Ner Barnett, Clifford Jacob, Harry Howard, Claire Wilson, James Edgar. I have a good deal of information on my direct line, but would love more data on the collateral lines, and will share anything I have for those whose "brick wall" might link to any of the above lines. Barbara In NC