George W. Willson, a prosperous farmer of Brushy Mound
township, Macoupin County, resides upon the old Willson homestead in section
19, where he was born April 12, 1862. He is a son of John M. and Catherine
(Wheeler) Willson, and grandson of Isaac and Rebecca Willson, who were
natives of Kentucky.
John M. Willson was born in Kentucky in 1819,
and came to Macoupin County, Illinois, with his parents when about 14 years
of age. Isaac Willson, his father, purchased and received a patent from the
government for the land known as the Willson homestead, which is now owned
by our subject. Here John M. Willson resided until his death on October 10,
1880. His wife died in 1862. He was a Repubhcan in politics, but never held
any office except that of school director. He and his wife were parents of
four children, as follows: Virginia, deceased; Elizabeth, wife of Frank
Rice, whose only child living at the time, — Clarence — was killed in a
cyclone which swept down upon this community in 1883, leaving devastation
and death in its wake; Clarence; and George W., our subject. Mr. Willson
also reared Frank Wadsworth from the time he was three weeks old until his
marriage at the age of 23 years. He was a kind and liberal hearted man, and
many were his quiet benefactions which never became known.
George W.
Willson received his education in the common schools of Macoupin County, and
has always lived upon the home place. Upon the death of his father, he
became possessed of one-half of the home estate, which consisted of 600
acres of valuable land, and has followed general farming and stock raising.
He raises large crops of corn, oats and wheat, and feeds on an average 100
head of hogs and a large number of cattle. He has displayed good judgment in
business affairs, and is one of the substantial and reliable business men of
Brushy Mound township.
In 1883, Mr. Willson was united in marriage
with Cora B. Clark, a daughter of John Clark, an early settler of Macoupin
County, by whom he has one daughter, Clara M., who is attending Monticello
Seminary at Godfrey, Illinois. Religiously, our subject is a member of the
Baptist Church. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and served for
several years as a school director. Fraternally, he is a member of the
Modern Woodmen of America.
Extracted 2018 May 05 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 87-88.
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