Pages 701-702
Capt William Wilson, one of the oldest citizens of Perry County, was born in Guilford County, North Carolina Jan 6, 1815. His grandfather, Andrew Wilson, was born in Ireland and came to the United States at the age of nineteen years. His father, Andrew Wilson, a farmer, was of North Carolina origin, his birth occurring about 1790. He married Parmelia Denny, of Guilford County, who was born in 1792 and died 1854. Not far from 1857 he came to Perry County, where he died in October 1866. In their family were eleven children, three now living: Robert D. (residing in Tennessee), Jane McGee and our subject, who was the second child. William was raised in the State of his birth, there receiving a limited education in the common schools. In 1838 he came to Perry County and married Mary Ann, a daughter of J. and Rebecca Rankin, who was born in 1819. Going to Tennessee, he settled up his business, returning to Perry County in 1839. His wife died about 1874, having been the mother of seven children, one of whom is living in Louisiana, George Washington by name. Mr Wilson's second wife was Mrs Gill (widow), born in Madison County, Tennessee. She died Jan 3, 1867, leaving two children: James T. and Laura P. His third wife was Mrs Amanda Scott (widow), who was born in Tennessee in 1825. In July 1861 our subject raised a company of infantry for the Tenth Arkansas Infantry and commanded at the battle of Shiloh, when he was wounded just below the right eye, on this account being discharged. Returning to Perry County, he entered the State service and served till the close of the war, when he resumed farming and stock raising. He has now 200 acres of land, about seventy under cultivation. In an early day he was elected treasurer of Perry County, and during the War was elected to the State legislature, as Confederate representative. He also held the office of justice of peace before the war. He is one of Perry County's most honored citizens, a Master Mason and a member of Aplin Lodge No. 444, having been made a Mason before the war at Dardanelle, Yell County, Ark. He is now a Democrat and cast his first presidential vote for Harrison, being a Whig in those days. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and his wife is a believer in the Primitive Baptist faith. The Captain is a liberal supporter of all enterprises pertaining to the good of the county and is entitled to an honorable representation in any worthy history of the community. The respect shown him is as wide as his acquaintance.