[p. 483] who owns a valuable farm of seventy-eight acres in North Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, was born in that township, March 8, 1847, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Hopper) Wilson, grandson of Joseph, and great-grandson of Joseph Wilson.
Joseph Wilson, the great-grandfather, was born near the boundary line between Scotland and Ireland, and in the colonial days emigrated to America, settling in Maryland. He was a general in the American Army during the Revolution, and his son, Joseph, Jr., then a lad of twelve years, drove a wagon in the army. The latter was subsequently in the War of 1812, bearing the rank of Colonel. He married a Miss Booth, who was of English parentage and came of a family of Tories. The marriage displeased the parents of Joseph, Jr., and he left with his bride for the West and made settlement in North Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, about a quarter of a mile distant from the present farm of Joseph Clark Wilson.
Joseph Wilson, father of Joseph Clark, was born on the farm now owned by Mrs. William McCullough in North Beaver Township, in 1808, and his death occurred February 23, 1890, at the age of eighty-two years. He was united in marriage with Mary Hopper, who was born on what is known as the old Hopper farm on Hickory Creek, in 1811, and was two years of age when her father, Samuel Hopper, moved upon the place now owned by James Wilson. Samuel Hopper was born in North Beaver Township, and was a son of Robert Hopper, who came from near Pittsburg at a very early period. Mrs. Wilson died in 1893. She was the mother of nine children, of whom four are now living, namely: John D., of Slippery Rock Township; Robert H., of North Beaver Township; Joseph Clark; and James, who lives on the old Hopper farm of 100 acres.
James Wilson was born in North Beaver Township, January 15, 1849, and in 1870 moved with his parents to Slippery Rock Township. He was there married in 1875 to Melissa Frew, and continued to reside there until 1891, when he located upon his present place. He and his wife became parents of seven children: David Frew, deceased; Mary A., deceased; Albert, a carpenter of New Castle; Annie Dell and Nannie Belle, twins; Elsie E., deceased; and Jessie, M.
Joseph Clark Wilson was reared on the home place and received his educational training in the public schools of that district. He turned his attention to agricultural pursuits at an early age, and has always been successful in that occupation. In 1879 he purchased his present farm of seventy-eight acres of Robert Miller, made many important and desirable improvements, and has resided here since. In addition to general farming, he has been quite successful as a raiser of fruits.
September 12, 1906, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage with Jennie A. Kelso, a daughter of Hiram Kelso of Pulaski Township. Religiously, they are members of the Mount Jackson United Presbyterian church.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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Updated: 29 Oct 2001