McDonough ILGenWeb

WILSON, James Vance, a veteran farmer of McDonough County, Ill., where he has lived for seventy years, was born in Industry Township, McDonough County, December 11, 1835, and is the fifth of twelve children born to his parents. In boyhood he attended the district school in his vicinity, and remained on the paternal homestead until he reached the age of nineteen years. He then worked for two years on various farms, after which he kept a grocery in Industry village for the same length of time. In 1861 he bought a farm in the southwest part of Industry Township, on which he lived five years. This he then sold and bought the place where he now resides. His first purchase was eighty acres, to which he afterward added another eighty acres, and continued making additions until his present holdings amount to 400 acres. On this property he has erected the buildings and made all other improvements. He is quite a traveler, having made trips to California and Mexico.

On January 22, 1856, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage with Permillis Adkinson, who was born and schooled in McDonough County. Two children were the offspring of this union, namely: Paris, born in 1856; and Thomas who died February 17, 1858. The mother of these children died February 10, 1858. On October 11, 1859, Mr. Wilson married Clara S. Adkinson and the issue of their union was fourteen children, as follows: John A., born September 16, 1861; Leroy, born August 17, 1863; Amaranth, born November 1, 1865; Price, born December 21, 1867; Veronia, born December 7, 1869; Marguerite, born February 20, 1872; Eva, born February 22, 1874; Bernice, born October 3, 1876; Alva, who was born March 20, 1879, and died August 4, 1880; Nova, born May 1, 1881; Calvin, born March 12, 1884; Melvin born on the same date as Calvin, and Dottie, born September 25, 1887. On political questions Mr. Wilson is in accord with the Democratic party, has served one term as Supervisor. Fraternally, he is a member of the A. F. & A. M. The agricultural career of John Vance Wilson clearly demonstrates what measure of success is possible to one possessing the traits that have dominated his life — honesty, industry, energy and indomitable perseverance.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, pages 1045-1046, extracted 26 Oct 2020 by Norma Hass.