Eli W. Wilson of Texas County, Missouri

Eli W. Wilson is considered one of the prosperous farmers and stock raisers of Texas County, Mo., and was born in Estill County, Ky., July 21, 1828, being a son of Eli B. and Nancy (Webber) Wilson, who were born in Virginia, and when young removed with their parents to Kentucky, and after becoming grown were married in Estill County, removing in 1832 to Missouri, and locating in La Fayette County, and about five years later in Crawford County, where the father died at about the age of fifty-five years. Subsequently the mother and younger children moved to Dent County, where the former’s death occurred during the war. Mr. Wilson was a successful farmer, and during the War of 1812 belonged to that military organization known as Minute Men. He and wife were members of the Primitive Baptist Church, and he was a Whig politically. He was twice married, his first union being to a Miss Peak, who bore him four children. His second union resulted in the birth of eight children, the youngest, Eli W., being reared on a farm. His educational advantages were very poor, and after his father’s death he cared for his mother as long as she lived. December 22, 1853, he married Ruth A. Early, a native of Virginia, by whom he is the father of nine children: Nancy B., Ruth A., Mary F., Eli B., Emily E., Alfred L., James R., Samuel E. and Agnes A. The mother of these children died January 9, 1870, and April 16, 1871, Mr. Wilson wedded Mrs. Louisa J. King (daughter of Gen. James H. McBride), who was the mother of two sons, James S., and William L., by her first husband. Her marriage with Mr. Wilson has resulted in the birth of six children: Minnie V., Leslie E., Lulu A., Nellie F., Elmer W. and Richard B. Since 1867 Mr. Wilson has resided in Texas County, and has held several official positions, such as sheriff, collector and assessor. He is a Democrat and Mason, and is the owner of 562 acres of land, with about 280 under cultivation.