This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: jnovak4 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.pennsylvania.counties.butler/9132/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Taken from the book "1895 History of Butler County" R. C. Brown Co., Publishers, 1895 JAMES WILSON, son of William WILSON, Sr., was born in Lancaster county, April 6, 1798, and was but two years old when his parents settled in Butler county. His mother made the trip on horseback, and carried him in her arms the greater part of the way. He grew to maturity in the new country, surrounded by privations and enjoying the limited advantages which fell to the lot of the youth of that period. In 1828 he married Sarah HUTCHESON, a native of Westmoreland county, born September 22, 1798, a daughter of William HUTCHESON, one of the early settlers of Parker township. Having learned the tanner's trade in boyhood, Mr. WILSON located in Lawrenceburg after his marriage, where he engaged in the tanning business, but later settled on a farm in Parker township. In 1843 they took up their residence on a portion of the WILSON homestead, in Fairview township, where Mrs. WILSON died, August 10, 1886, and her husband, September 1, following, their deaths occurring only a few weeks ap! art. Both were members of the United Presbyterian church, of Fairview, in which he filled the office of elder for several years. They were the parents of the following children: Margaret W., wife of John JAMESON; William; Eleanor J., deceased wife of George H. GRAHAM; Martha, deceased wife of William GIBSON, and James A. of Fairview township. Mr. WILSON was a Democrat until the organization of the Republican party, when he espoused its principles and continued to support that organization until his death. He filled various township positions of trust during his residence therein, and was one of the respected pioneers of the community. WILLIAM WILSON, eldest son of James and Sarah WILSON, was born in Lawrenceburg, December 7, 1831, came to Butler county with this parents and grew to maturity under the parental roof. His educational advantages were such as the early schools afforded, which he attended during the winter season for a few weeks each year. Until his fifteenth year his clothing consisted of the coarse homespun of the period. After reaching his maturity he commenced working out at ten dollars a month, later engaged at the carpenter's trade, and followed that business as a journeyman for twelve years. He resided some years in Oil City, and was engaged in the oil industry. In 1872 he returned to Petrolia, and conducted the home farm for his father. He now owns 121 acres [p. 993] of the original tract, upon which he resides, and devotes his attention to agricultural pursuits. Mr. WILSON was married, December 31, 1862, to Lucinda SHELL, a native of Clarion county, who died in Oil City, in 1865. He wa! s again married, October 25, 1883, to Emma M. GILFILLAN, a daughter of James G. and Mary A. GILFILLAN, a pioneer family of Mercer county. They have an adopted son, Willie LeRoy, aged six years. Mr. and Mrs. WILSON are members of the United Presbyterian church, of Fairview, in which he has served as trustee. He has always been a Republican, and enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, August 9, 1862. He served in the Army of the Potomac, participated in the battles of Antietam, Chancellorsville, and the Virginia campaign, and was honorably discharged on June 3, 1863. JAMES ARMSTRONG WILSON, son of James and Sarah WILSON, was born upon the WILSON homestead in Fairview township, Butler county, December 25, 1839, spent his boyhood days upon the farm and received a common school education in the little log school house of the neighborhood. On June 16, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Second Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was mustered into service at Harrisburg. His regiment joined the Army of the Potomac, and he participated in the battles of Seven Pines, Fair Oaks, Harrison's Landing, and Malvern Hill, and followed his regiment through all the varying fortunes of war, in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Cold Harbor, etc. He was twice wounded, once in a skirmish at Salem Church, and again in the Wilderness. He was taken prisoner before Petersburg, was sent to Belle Island and thence to Andersonville, where he was confined six months. He was then exchanged and returned home on furlough, where he was ill for three ! months. After recovering he joined his regiment, but the Confederacy had crumbled away, Lee had surrendered and the war was over. He was honorably discharged July 5, 1865, after participating with his regiment in the grand review at Washington. Returning to his home Mr. WILSON engaged in farming, which vocation he has followed up to the present. In February, 1873, he married Martha McGARVEY, a daughter of William McGARVEY, of Fairview township. Two children were born to this union, viz.: Robert N., and Maggie May. In 1878 Mr. WILSON located upon his present homestead at Fairview, a portion of the tract entered by his grandfather. In 1884 he erected a substantial residence, one of the most commodious farm houses in the township. The family are connected with the United Presbyterian church, in which Mr. WILSON is superintendent of the Sabbath school, while his wife takes an active interest in woman's work. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, is a member of the borough cou! ncil and school board, and also fills the office of assessor. He is a member of the Union Veteran Legion at Butler, and is one of the patriotic citizens of the community. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.