BIO: Jefferson WILSON, Beaver County, PA
  
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Joe Patterson
  
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  BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.  This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches 
  of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania.  Buffalo, N.Y., 
  Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 364-366.
  _________________________________________________________________ 
  
  JEFFERSON WILSON, an extensive fruit grower and prominent farmer of Chippewa
  township, Beaver county, Pa., is a son of James and Barbara (Showalter)
  Wilson, and was born in North Sewickley township, Beaver county, in the year
  1839.
  
  James Wilson, the father of Jefferson, removed to Beaver county when a very
  young man and was one of the earliest settlers. He located in North Sewickley
  township and engaged in farming, - soon after, buying a tract
  
  BEAVER COUNTY  365
  
  of one hundred acres of wild land. He made a clearing, erected a log house
  and barn, and resided there with his family for a number of years. He
  subsequently built a handsome brick house, in which he spent the rest of his
  active days. He followed general farming and was successful beyond the
  average. He was a Republican in politics, and held the office of school
  director, for a time. Religiously, he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal
  church. His marriage was blessed by the birth of eleven children.
  
  Jefferson Wilson received a limited education in the district school, but
  made the utmost of his opportunities and is now considered an intelligent and
  well read man. Upon leaving school he learned the trade of a plasterer, and
  then moved to Nebraska where he engaged in that line of work. He returned to
  Beaver county, and still later went to Allegheny county, following his trade
  until 1868. Many of the oldest houses in Beaver Falls were plastered by him,
  as he was the leading plasterer there at that period. In 1868 he bought the
  Thomas farm of one hundred and six acres of partly cleared land, and as there
  were no buildings standing, except a barn, he erected a house and the
  necessary out buildings. There was also a very small orchard upon the place,
  and this he enlarged, until he now has what is undoubtedly the equal of any
  fruit farm in the county. He has always been interested in that line of work,
  and has made a study of it, being a well informed man in matters pertaining to
  fruit growing. He has thirty acres of fruit trees, mainly apples, pears,
  peaches, plums, and cherries, and in addition to these he has a large tract
  set out in berries of various kinds, - a branch of the business which he has
  found very profitable. Besides retailing, he ships a portion of his produce
  to Pittsburg markets. He also raises a little stock, grain and potatoes.
  During his spare time he has invented and patented a number of useful and
  valuable articles. Mr. Wilson is a man of pleasing characteristics, and has a
  large circle of friends throughout this section of the country.
  
  Jefferson Wilson was united in marriage with Elizabeth Couch, daughter of
  John and Mary A. (Hickman) Couch. Mrs. Wilson was born and educated in
  Lawrence county, Pa., and they have eight children, a record of whom
  follows: Nanna J., a graduate of Bucknell University, was a missionary to
  Upper Burmah and Japan, for several years. She returned to America and was
  married to Dr. Leroy Stephens, secretary of the Pennsylvania Baptist
  Educational Society. Charles A. attended Butler University, read law, and is
  a graduate of the University of Michigan. He practiced law a short time, and
  then entered Crozier Theological Seminary, where he was prepared for the
  ministry, and has been pastor of churches in the Pittsburg and French Creek
  associations. Thomas J. attended Geneva College, read law, and is a graduate
  of the University of Michigan. He is now a prominent lawyer in Pittsburg.
  Mamie, who attended Geneva College, in pursuance of the study of music, is
  now at home with her parents. Frank G. attended school
  
  366  BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES
  
  at Mount Hermon, Mass., and is now a farmer in Beaver county. Della A.
  attended Hall Institute, and was married to Rev. T. J. Edwards, a prominent
  Baptist minister. Harry studied art and is now engaged in that work. Nora,
  after attending Mount Pleasant College, graduated in Byron King's School of
  Oratory, and then taught dramatic art. She was subsequently married to G. A.
  Johnson, a prominent attorney of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
  
  In addition to his farm land, our subject owns property in Beaver Falls, in
  the form of building lots and houses. Politically, he is an independent
  Republican. In religious belief, he is a faithful member of the Baptist
  church.