Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 356-357; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
William Wilson, M. D., the oldest physician in London Mills, has
been of great assistance to the community in building up the town. He
has been interested in real estate, has built a score of houses and
still owns village property. He has filled nearly every office in the
township, taken a part in the workings of the social orders, and in
addition to all this, has had a large practice in his profession. His
mind has been well developed, his memory stored with facts and
principles pertaining to the science of medicine, and with all the
strength of an energetic nature he has made use of his knowledge.
Dr. Wilson is the eldest of the four children
born to Dr. Samuel and Mahala (McFarland) Wilson. The parental history
will be found in the sketch of his brother, Dr. H. L. Wilson, [page
601] in this ALBUM. Our subject was reared in the village of Hermon,
Knox County, where his eyes had opened to the light July 8, 1848.
During his youth he attended the common schools and Abingdon College
and in 1864, enlisted in Company K, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, was
mustered in at Peoria and served until July, 1865. Soon after the war
he began studying medicine, his father being his preceptor. He removed
with his parents to Iowa and entered the medical department of the
University of Iowa City, and was graduated from that institution in
1875, as physician and surgeon. He at once located at London Mills,
being the first physician to open an office here. He worked up a fine
practice and has been very successful in his efforts to ameliorate
suffering and preserve life.
The lady whom Dr. Wilson won for his wife and
with whom he was united in marriage in Iowa, in 1872, bore the maiden
name of Jennie A. Hall. She was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, in 1852; she
is a lady of culture and stands side by side with her husband in her
knowledge of medicine. She studied that profession in the University at
Iowa City, taking a special course the same year as her husband. She
was Postmistress in London Mills from 1887 to 1889, and is a popular
member of the society here. Doctor and Mrs. Wilson have one child, a
son, Samuel A.
Dr. Wilson belongs to the independent Order of
Odd-Fellows in this place and to Joe Mower Post, No. 107, G. A. R.; he
is also identified with the Masonic fraternity at Abingdon. In politics
he is a Democrat of the Jacksonian order.
