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Fenton Whetsel Mrs. Martha J. Whetzel	FENTON WHETSEL.     The fine farm owned and occupied by the subject of this sketch is located in section 12, Mad River township, and he is known as one of the substantial and progressive agriculturists of this favored section of the state.  Mr. Whetsel is a native of the Old Dominion, having been born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, on the 18th of February, 1845, the son of Samuel Whetsel, who was born in the same county, where he was reared to maturity and where his marriage occurred, the maiden name of his wife having been Elizabeth Earian.  He lived to attain the age of about seventy-six years, and died in Licking county, Ohio, where his widow still maintains her home.  They became the parents of eight children, all of whom are living, namely: Uriah, Fenton, Joseph, James, Lemuel, Rufus, Robert and Mary, the last named being the wife of Thomas Horner, of Licking county.      Fenton Whetsel was reared and educated in Virginia, where he grew up under the sturdy discipline of the farm.  In 1862 he tendered Iris services to the Confederacy, becoming a member of Company K, Twelfth Virginia Cavalry, with which he rendered valiant service until the close of the war, having participated in many of the most notable battles of the great conflict.  On two occasions he had his horse shot beneath him and was personally struck twice by the enemy’s bullets, but during his entire term of service he was never disabled and was always at his post of duty.  Shortly after the close of the war, in 1865, Mr. Whetsel came to Champaign county, and for the following eleven years was employed by the month on various farms in this section of the state.  After his marriage he located on a small farm in Concord township, where he remained until 1894, when he took up his residence on his present farm, which comprises about seventy acres, well improved and under most effective cultivation.  He has attained independence and definite success through his own efforts, has been indefatigable, energetic and faithful, and has known the meaning of hard work, so that none can begrudge him the prosperity which he has so worthily achieved.  He is the owner of property in Licking county, where he showed his filial devotion by purchasing a lot and erecting thereon a comfortable residence for his father and mother, the latter of whom still makes her home there.  In politics Mr. Whetsel g'ives his support to the men whom he considers the best fitted for office, and fraternally he is identified with Westville Lodge, No. 433, Knights of Pythias, while he attends the Methodist Episcopal church, being held in the highest esteem in the community.      On the 4th of May, 1875, Mr. Whetsel was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Osborn, who was born on the farm where our subject now lives, Jan. 17, 1840, her father having been one of the pioneers of this county.  She died on the 11th of October, 1900, leaving no children.  She proved a devoted companion and helpmeet to her husband and was a woman whose gentle and gracious character had endeared her to a wide circle of friends.  She was a daughter of Noble and Susan (Kenton) Osborn, who located in Champaign county in an early day and here passed the remainder of their lives. Source:  A Centennial Biographical History of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 412
S. W. Whitmore and Family	SIMON W. WHITMORE.     Of the pioneer families which have materially contributed to the prosperity of Champaign county, and particularly to that of Mad River township is the one represented by S. W. Whitmore.  They have ever been peaceful, law-abiding citizens, industrious, just and conscientious in all their transactions, and their name and record is still untarnished.  John Whitmore, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, Mar. 4, 1776. In 1802, however, he left his southern home for the Buckeye state, locating on the farm on which our subject now resides, and here his death occurred on the 17th of September, 1850.  He was a soldier in the war of 1812. His wife, Elizabeth (Pence) Whitmore was also a native of the Old Dominion, her birth occurring on the 8th of February, 1777, and she reached the age of more than three score years and ten.      Jacob Whitmore, their son and the father of our subject, was born in the old family home in Virginia, but when only two years of age, in 1802, was brought by his parents to Champaign county, Ohio.  He was here married to Catherine Zimmerman, who was born in this county Dec. 20, 1807, and their wedding was celebrated on the 24th of March, 1826. Her father, George Zimmerman, came from Virginia, the state of his birth, to Champaign county, Ohio, when but a boy.  He was one of the first to follow the blacksmith’s trade in the county, and he also erected and operated a sawmill, known as the Zimmerman mill.  His death occurred about 1845.  The Whitmore family is of German descent, the paternal great-grandfather of our subject having emigrated to America from that country, and on his arrival here he took up his abode in Shenandoah county, Virginia.  The maternal great-grandfather was also a native of the fatherland.  The marriage of Jacob and Catherine (Zimmerman) Whitmore resulted in the birth of seven children, five daughters and two sons, as follows: Eliza Jane, deceased; Barbara A., the wife of Charles Dagger, a prominent farmer of Concord township, Champaign county; Sarah J., the wife of Mathew Barger, a prominent business man of Concord township; Elizabeth, the wife of Leonard Barger, who is living retired in Johnson township, this county; Simon W., of this review; Joseph M., who died at the age of four years; and one, the twin of Barbara, who died in infancy.  The father of this family passed away in death on his old home farm in Mad River township on the 17th of September, 1850, and his wife was called to her final rest when she had reached the age of eighty-four years.      Simon W. Whitmore, whose name introduces this review, was born on the old homestead farm in this county on the 16th of May, 1835, and during his youth enjoyed the educational advantages afforded by the primitive log school house of the neighborhood, which he was permitted to attend about five months during the year, while for a time he was also a student in the subscription schools.  Remaining with his parents until his marriage, he then located on a tract of sixty acres in Concord township, but two years later returned to this locality, and with the exception of the time there spent he has continually made his home in Mad River township.  After his return here he located on his father’s old homestead, and after the latter’s death purchased the interests of the remaining heirs, thus becoming the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land.  About 1872 he disposed of this property and purchased the old homestead which his grandfather had located on first coming to the county, about 1802, and here he now owns one hundred and ninety-seven acres of rich and productive land.  His life has been well spent, and in business affairs he has been rewarded by a well merited competence.      Dec. 25, 1860, Mr. Whitmore was united in marriage to Elizabeth Wiant, who was born in Mad River township, Champaign county, Nov. 7, 1840, a daughter of Brightbury and Jerusha (Ward) Wiant, prominent early settlers of the locality.  Mrs. Whitmore’s grandfather, John Wiant, was one of the first tanners in Champaign county.  He was born in Virginia and died in Mad River township, this county, at about seventy-five years of age.  Five children have been born unto the union of Simon and Elizabeth (Wiant) Whitmore, three daughters and two sons, as follows: Sylvia Ida, the wife of Ross Wiant, a prominent farmer of Champaign county, and they have three living children, - Warren, Brightbury and Simon Marley.  Minnie Ulva is the wife of Daniel S. Sibert, of Newton county, Missouri, and they are the parents of three children,—Grace, Jenefer and Frank W.  Samuel B. W. married Ora E. Neff and resides on the old homestead.  They have one son, Simon Joe.  Dottie M. is the wife of William Gumpert, of Concord township, and has two children, - Lillian E. and Harold Whitmore.  Harry D. A. is still at home with his parents. Source:  A Centennial Biographical History  of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 312
	MILO G. WILLIAMS, A. M.    Whatever the future may have in store for that noble educational institution maintained under the auspices of the New Church.  Urbana University, at no point can there fail to be on the part of those who enjoy its privileges a deep and reverent appreciation of the devoted labors of the one who stood at its head in the formative period.  Though Professor Williams, with that personal modesty so typical of the man. never consented to actually accept the title of president of the university, he was virtually and essentially the incumbent of this office from the time of the organization of the institution, more than a half century ago, until his final withdrawal from active participation in the educational work. a score of years later.  He was a distinct power in his chosen field of endeavor, and it is not too much to say that he distinguished himself by the fidelity with which his multifarious duties were discharged after he was placed at the head of the infant institution.  The formation of his plans was marked by wisdom and their execution by unwearied labor and care, and as a scholar, an educator and a man he commanded the highest respect and confidence.  The history of his life is an integral portion of the history of Urbana University, and it is demanded that in a work that touches those who have lived and wrought so nobly within the borders of Champaign county a memoir and tribute be paid to Professor Williams, though the limitations of the work will not permit the entering into manifold details as to the inception and growth of the institution he so dearly loved and for which he so zealously labored.      The family of which the subject of this memoir was a representative was one which has long been identified with the annals of American history. as will presently be shown.  Milo G. Williams was a native son of Ohio, having been born in the city of Cincinnati on the 1oth of April, 1804, the son of Jacob and Eunice (Grummond) Williams.  His father was born in the year 1775, in New Jersey.  He was a son of Joshua and Sarah (Higgins) Williams, the former of whom was born in the ancient and picturesque old city of Elizabeth, New Jersey, being the son of Miles Williams. who, with his brothers John and Samuel, emigrated from their native land, Wales, to America in the colonial epoch.  Records still extant show that Joshua Williams was a patriot soldier in the war of the Revolution, having been a member of the “minute men,” who held them selves in readiness to respond to an alarm in the quickest possible time, thus gaining the name.  He lived in New Jersey until his death, having there accumulated a large landed estate and becoming one of the influential citizens of the locality.  He had inherited a large estate from his father, and his house, large mill and other property were destroyed by fire during the Revolution, but after the close of the struggle he recouped his fortunes, having for a time maintained his home in New York city.  His son Jacob, at the age of fourteen years, was sent to New York, where he held a clerkship in a mercantile establishment for one year, after which he went to Poughkeepsie to learn the blacksmith’s trade.  At the age of twenty, however, he became imbued with the western fever, and finally made his way down the Ohio river and disembarked at Fort Washington (now the city of Cincinnati) in 1795 or 1,796.  There he was united in marriage to Eunice Grummond, daughter of David Grummond, who, like himself, was a pioneer of Cincinnati.  He engaged in the work of his trade there and eventually built up an extensive business, operating a large machine shop, and there he died in the year 1840, his marriage having been blessed with thirteen children.      Milo G. Williams was reared and educated in his native city and when sixteen years of age gave inception to his long and useful pedagogic career by engaging in- teaching in district schools.  He thus began educational work in 1820 and did not withdraw from the same until 1870, - a full half-century later.  At the age of nineteen years Mr. Williams established a private school in Cincinnati, and this proved a success, while in 1833 he accepted the general supervision of a manual training school established in Dayton.  At the expiration of two years he withdrew from this position to accept the principalship of the Springfield high school, and in 1840 became principal of a Swedenborgian school in Cincinnati.  In 1844 he effecteda reorganization of Dayton Academy, at Dayton, and continued at its head until called upon to accept the presidency of Urbana University, in 1850, the charter of the institution bearing date of March 7th of that year, while Professor Williams was numbered among the incorporators, the university being in absolute embryo save for its charter, its organization and a plat of ground in Urbana, the same having been donated by John H. James, of this city.  We can not do better at this point than to quote from a historical narrative appearing in the Annual of Urbana University, published under the auspices of the Delta Sigma Literary Society, in June, 1901, to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the college:      In the minds of its projectors the most urgent need of the university at this stage of its affairs was a suitable person to take charge of its educational interests, and the opinion was unanimous that Mr. Milo G. Williams possessed in an eminent degree the necessary qualifications.  He was accordingly invited to accept the position.  Mr. Williams was at that time conducting an academy in Dayton, Ohio, and his reputation as a teacher was already well established throughout the state.  The plan of establishing a New Church university at Urbana being submitted to him, and also the proposition that he should come and assume charge of the same, Mr. Williams took the matter into prayerful consideration.  The records made in his private journal at this time fully testify to the weight and responsibility which he attached to the undertaking, and the serious thought which he gave the question of his acceptance of the position offered. In answer to the question, early submitted to him, of the practicability of the undertaking and the suitability of the location at Urbana, he says: “I expressed my belief that the time had arrived when the New Church should adopt more efficient measures for the diffusion of the doctrines of the New Jerusalem, and that there were no better means for accomplishing the end proposed than the proper education and training of the young in the doctrines and life of the church, thus making them fair exponents of the truths of the New Church.  As to the locality, there were no valid objections to it, but there were many good reasons in its favor."      Mr. Williams decided to accept the task of taking charge of the educational work of the university, in spite of the fact that the "responsibility would be greater and the compensation less than those of his present work."  His decision was a fortunate one for the interests of the university.  He possessed the qualities of infinite patience and perfect self-control, combined with an extensive knowledge of human nature; he had early learned the lesson, that the art of governing others consists in the ability to govern one's self, at all times and under all circumstances.  Moreover, he was a born teacher, a member of that noble race of pedagogues, now nearly extinct, for whom the modern methods of teacher-making no longer find a place.  In early life Mr. Williams had studied law, and afterward, not being willing, as he expressed it, to make a living out of other people’s quarrels, he pursued an extensive course in medicine.  His training in the latter afterward proved of great value to him when called upon to give instruction in the various branches of natural science, in which he became a highly successful teacher.  Moreover his predilections were strongly in favor of the new field of work and the possibilities it seemed to offer for carrying out some long cherished ideas.  He had long considered the desirability of combining literary and scientific education with an inculcation of the doctrnes of the New Church, believing that education is worse than useless unless it elevates and purifies the affections and leads to a pure life.  It was deemed best that Mr. Williams should close his academy at Dayton at once and begin the educational work at Urbana, as a preliminary to the organiztion of classes in the college. Accordingly he removed to Urbana in the summer of 1850 and engaged suitable rooms in the town for his school, as but little progress had yet been made in the construction of the university buildings.  On the opening day, early in September, 1850. the room was overcrowded with applicants for admission.  This school was continued until the fall of 1853, when it was removed to the college buildings. now completed, and the classes merged into those of the university.  In the year 1858 the Rev. Chauncey Giles was elected president of the university, holding the office nominally until 1870.  Mr. Giles continued his ministerial work in Cincinnati, and was never charged with any teaching of classes.  Up to the date of Mr. Giles' appointment Professor Milo G. Williams had filled the office of dean of the faculty and president of the board of trustees, having declined to accept the title of president of the college, which had been tendered him, modestly contending that he did not consider himself endowed with the qualifications which should be possessed by a college president.  Professor Williams remained more or less actively connected with the college as an instructor in various departments of natural science until the year 1870, during this period, in addition to his class-room duties, he made many valuable contributions to science, more especially in. the departments of botany, conchology and meteorology.  The plants growing in the vicinity were thoroughly studied and a large herbarium was formed of the specimens collected, and placed in the college museum.  His collection of the fresh-water mollusca of the Ohio river and its tributaries contains representatives of nearly all of the known species.  For fifty years he made daily observations of the temperature, direction and force of the winds, humidity of the atmosphere and barometric pressure.  Many of these observations were published in the Smithsonian Institution, at Washington, and constitute some of the earliest contributions to the science of meteorology, anticipating the present work of the signal-service bureau.  At the time of Mr. Williams’ death, which occurred at Urbana in the year 1880, the chief signal officer, General Meyer, showed his high appreciation of Mr. Williams' services to meteorology in a letter expressing the great value and importance of these services.  Up to the time of his death Mr. Williams remained a trustee of the college and took an active interest in its affairs.      The above excerpt gives but little of the detail of Professor Williams’ twenty years of active service in the university, but enough has been said to show how deep is the appreciation placed upon his life and labors.  He was an able and liberal contributor to educational journals and his interest in the work of his chosen profession remained constant until his life's labors were closed in the gentle sleep of death.  During the war of the Rebellion he was a member of the “Squirrel Hunters." and thus participated in the defense of Cincinnati.  In politics he was an uncompromising advocate of the principles of the Republican party from the time of its organization, and he was one of the most influential and devoted members of New Church (Swedenborgian) in the state of Ohio.  His life was one of consecration in all its relations and was ordered upon a high plane.  He entered into eternal rest on the 19th of April, 1880, and not only the community, the church and his former pupils felt a sense of deep personal loss, but all could not but rejoice in the benediction afforded by the life thus translated into a larger sphere of usefulness when the veil was lifted to gain the new glory of a noble and useful life.      On the 20th of October, 1842, Professor Williams was united in marriage to Miss Mary Loring, who was born in Cincinnati. being the daughter of David and Maria (Lowey) Loring, who were early settlers of Cincinnati, whither they removed from the state of New York, the father being one of the prominent merchants of the city in the early days and a man of influence and sterling worth.  The Lorings are collaterally descended from Richard Warren, who was one of the pilgrims who came to America on the Mayflower on the occasion of her first voyage in 1620.  Mrs. Williams, now venerable in years. still resides in Urbana, and in the home so hallowed by the memories and associations of the past also abide her two children, - Mary Louise and Adelaide H. Source:  A Centennial Biographical History of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 214
	RICHARD DE VAL WILLIAMS.     From the beginning of his active connection with Mechanicsburg, in 1839, Richard Du Val Williams strove to maintain conditions commercially and industrially substantial, and morally and intellectually high.  That he was eminently successful in the consummation of his desires is vouched for by those permitted to associate with him in whatsoever capacity and by the banking and mercantile concerns which owe their origin and subsequent success to his appreciation of their utility.      From forefathers long connected with the south Mr. Williams inherited not only thrift and industry but a nature at once devout and humanitarian.  He was born in Pleasant Grove, Maryland, June 27, 1815, and his death occurred in this town, Dec. 4, 1894.  In the early subscription schools of Maryland he acquired such education as a busy childhood around the home farm permitted. and when about sixteen years of age, in 1831, he accompanied his parents to the supposed larger opportunities in the vicinity of Mechanicsburg.  Eight years later, in 1839, he entered mercantile ranks in the town, and from the humble position of clerk worked his way up to a general knowledge of the business.  He possessed shrewd common sense, and had a keen knowledge of human nature, and these attributes, allied with tact and a desire to please, won for him in time a really unusual success.  The business established by him so many years ago is still one of the landmarks of the city, and is owned and managed by his son.  C. W. Williams, who conducts his affairs under the firm name of C. W. Williams & Company.      In 1865 Mr. Williams, with the able assistance of Thomas Davis, organized the Farmers Bank, of Mechanicsburg, of which he was president up to the time of his death.  Scarcely an effort to further the welfare of the town but that bore the impress of his wise enthusiasm and often practical assistance, and he was looked upon as one of those conservative forces which are as rudders in any growing community.  In his adopted town he was a power in the Methodist Episcopal church, which denomination he had joined when thirteen years of age.  For forty-two years he was recording steward of the church, and for twenty five years was superintendent of the Sunday-school.  He earnestly believed in the tenets of his church, and through his influence many were brought within the fold thereof.  In his effort to uplift humanity he was ably seconded by his wife, whom he married in 1829, and who was formerly Jane Claggett, of Annapolis, Maryland.  Of the children reared in the Williams home but three are now living, and of these.  C. W. Williams bears an honored reputation in the community, and inherits to a large degree his father's business discretion and ability.      A native of Mechanicsburg, C. W. Williams was born May 4, 1841, and was educated in the public schools of the town.  Under his sire's example and instruction he developed into a practical business man, and since 1865 has had control of a large and lucrative business.  In 1865 he married Rebecca Guy, who died in 1877, leaving three children.  Charles Edwin, Alta Rebecca and Frances.  In 1878 Mr. Williams married Mary Horr, and of this union there are also three children.  Anna May, Helen Jane and Howard Horr.  Mr. Williams is a Republican in political affiliation, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Source:  A Centennial Biographical History of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 603
Andrew Wilson	ANDREWS WILSON.     The name of Andrews Wilson is enduringly inscribed on the pages of Ohio’s history in connection with her honored pioneers.  He was born in Urbana township, Champaign county, Dec. 3, 1813.  His father, William Wilson. was a native of county Tyrone, Ireland, born Sept. 25, 1780, and when sixteen years of age came with his parents, James and Rebecca Wilson, to this country, the voyage consuming six weeks.  They, too, were natives of the green isle of Erin, and were the parents of five children, three sons and two daughters. and all were born in Ireland.  After their arrival in this country the family first located in Virginia, thence to Clark county, Ohio, there remaining until 1808, when they took up their abode in Harrison township, Champaign county, one and a half miles west of our subject's present place of residence.  They afterward spent three years in Urbana township.      William Wilson, the father of our subject, accompanied his parents on their various removals, and from the age of fourteen years fought the stern battle of life for himself.  His death occurred in Harrison township, Champaign county, on the 11th of November, 1836. He was married in Greenbrier county, Virginia, to Rebecca Humphrey, a native of Ireland.  When she was but two years of age she was brought by her parents to the United States, the family locating in Virginia, where she was reared and married.  Unto this worthy couple were born eight children: Mary, James, Andrews, William, Margaret, John R., Adams and Rebecca.  With the exception of the eldest daughter all were born in Champaign county, Ohio, and all are now deceased but our subject and his brother William.      When but three years of age Andrews Wilson was brought to the farm on which he now resides, and when about sixteen years of age he accompanied the family on their removal to another farm in the same township, but on account of the impure water there they returned to this place.  The original boundaries of the farm have been increased until the tract now contains one hundred and fifty-seven acres, all of which is under an excellent state of cultivation and adorned with substantial and valuable improvements.  When the family first located here the Indians would camp near their home, and at one time an Indian and British attack was expected, but it was afterward learned that the rumor was without foundation.  For three generations, including the grandfather, father and subject, they have supported the principles of the Republican party, but the latter's first presidential vote was cast for Harrison in 1840.  He has served his township as trustee, and has ever been active in all measures and movements intended for the general good.       The marriage of Mr. Wilson was celebrated in 1846, when Miss Elizabeth Jane Wright became his wife.  She is a native of the Old Dominion, as were also her mother and father.  Unto this union have been born the following children: Sarah Jane, Virginia, Hamilton, Selestine, Martha, Mary Ann, Benjamin, Harry and Ellen, all born on the old homestead in Champaign county; one child, named Charles Franklin, died in infancy, and two of the others, Selestine and Ellen, are now also deceased.  The family are members of the Presbyterian and Methodist Episcopal churches.  Mr. Wilson is now the oldest native born resident of Champaign county.  In all the relations of life he has ever been faithful and true, and in his life work no shadow of wrong and suspicion of evil doing darkens his honored pathway. Source:  A Centennial Biographical History of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 106
	EBENEZER WILSON.     Man's usefulness in the world is judged by the good that he has done, and determined by this standard of measurement Ebenezer Wilson occupies a position among the most prominent citizens of Champaign county.  His life has been noble and upright, one over which falls no shadow of wrong; and long after he shall have passed away his memory will remain as a blessed benediction to those who knew him.      A native of this county, being born in Harrison township, Mar. 10, 1821, he has passed his entire life in this county with the exception of a few months, and is therefore well known to his neighbors, and during all these years he has steadily maintained his high character.  His paternal grandfather, Miles Wilson, was a native of Virginia, but in an early day removed to Washington county, Pennsylvania, there locating on a farm, where he died shortly after his arrival.  His son, Joseph Wilson, became the father of our subject.  He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1792, and was there married to Eleanor Fullerton, also a native of that commonwealth.  Shortly after marriage they came to Champaign county, Ohio, in 1817, locating on one hundred and sixty acres of land in Harrison township, which he cleared and improved, and there he was engaged in farming and stock-raising until his life's labors were ended in death.  In political matters he supported the Whig party until the nomination of Fremont, and from that time on was a stanch Republican.  Mrs. Wilson was called to her final rest in 1832, passing away in Champaign county, after becoming the mother of eight children, of whom four are now living, and our subject was the third child of the first family.  The father passed to his final reward in August, 1866, after long and useful career.      Ebenezer Wilson, of this review, was about twenty-one years of age when he entered upon the battle of life on his own account, working as a farm laborer from august until the following April.  For the next two years he farmed on rented land on Burk creek, south of Urbana, and from that time until November, 1853, he resided on rented farms in Salem and Harrison township, since which time he has occupied his present place.  From early morn until dewy eve he worked to clear and develop his land, and in the course of time his labors were rewarded with bounteous harvests.  He was experienced all the trials and hardships of pioneer life, but at length his efforts have been crowned with success and there has come to him a handsome property as the reward of his labors.  As the years have passed by he has added to his original purchase of one hundred and thirty acres until his landed possessions now consist of two hundred and seventy-five acres, all of which is under an excellent state of cultivation, and the many and substantial improvements thereon stand as monuments to this thrift and ability.      In Salem township, in 1847, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Lucinda Muzzy, a native daughter of Champaign county, and here she has spent her entire life.  Her father was a native of Vermont and her mother of Ohio.  Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have had nine children, namely: Eleanor, Horace and Joseph, deceased; Henry P. and Jennie, at home; Frank, Lucinda and Mary, also deceased; and Nellie, at home.  All were born in Champaign county.  The family are members of the Presbyterian church at Urbana, in which they are earnest and efficient workers.  Politically Mr. Wilson affiliates with the Republican party, and for eight years he was the efficient infirmary director, while for a long period he has held other township offices.  Wherever known he is held in high regard, and in Champaign county, where his entire life has been passed, he has a host of warm friends. Source:  A Centennial Biographical History of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 686
	WILLIAM H. WILSON.     A man's life work is the measure of his success, and he is the most truly successful man who, turning his powers into the channel of an honorable purpose, accomplishes the object of his endeavor.  The subject of this review is one of that sterling class of men whose attention is devoted to the agricultural industry, and he has contributed to the development and advancement of his native county, as did also his father and grandfather before him, from which fact it may be inferred that our subject is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Champaign county.      William Hamilton Wilson was born in Harrison township, this county, on the 27th of February, 1851, being the son of Andrew Wilson, who likewise was a native of the county, having been born in Urbana township in the year 1813.  When he was three years of age his parents removed to Harrison township, but about a year later they returned to Urbana township. and he has ever since maintained his home on his present farm, having now attained the venerable age of eighty-eight years.  His father, William Wilson, was born in Ireland, whence he came with his parents to America when about thirteen years of age, the family locating in Virginia, from which state he came to Ohio in the early pioneer epoch, locating in Champaign county, where he passed the remainder of his life, as did also his wife, whose maiden name was Rebecca Humphrey, she also having come from Ireland with her parents when about three years of age. Andrew Wilson married Elizabeth J. Wright, who was born in Virginia and who came with her parents to Ohio when about fourteen years of age.  She died at the age of sixty four years having been a noble and devoted woman.  Her father, Benjamin Wright, was likewise born in Virginia, where the family was established in the colonial period of our national history.  Andrew and Elizabeth Wilson became the parents of four sons and six daughters, all but one of whom attained years of maturity, the subject of this sketch having been the third in order of birth.  He was reared to the discipline of the farm and is indebted to the district schools for the early educational advantages which came to his portion in his boyhood days, and this was supplemented by a thorough course in the normal school at Urbana, where he ably qualified himself for pedagogic work, devoting his attention to teaching for a period of fourteen years and being very successful in this profession, his entire career as a teacher having been in connection with the schools of only four districts, showing that his services and abilities were duly appreciated.      On the 24th of August, 1876, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Tillie Heath, who was born in Concord township. this county, on the first of December, 1858, being the daughter of James W. and Nancy Heath, who were early settlers in the county.  Mrs. Wilson was educated in the schools of this county and is a talented artist, having produced many attractive pictures in both oils and water-colors.  Our subject and his wife have no children.      Mr. Wilson continued to reside in Harrison township until 1892, when he removed to Concord township, where he was engaged in farming until 1895, when he removed to Marion county, Kansas, where he made his home about three years, then returning to Concord township, Champaign county. where he purchased the old homestead of his father in-law, of which be disposed in 1901, and then purchased his present fine farmstead, of eighty acres, in Urbana township, the place being equipped with the best of permanent improvements and being under a high state of cultivation.  Mr. Wilson is progressive and discriminating in his methods, and thus secures the best possible results from his farm, which is one of the attractive places of this section.  In politics he has given an unequivocal support to the Republican party from the time of attaining his majority, and he was twice elected to the office of trustee of Concord township, while for two years he served as assessor of Harrison township.  Fraternally he is identified with West Liberty Lodge, No. 96, I. O. O. F. Source:  A Centennial Biographical History of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 692
	W. W. WILSON.     Whether as cashier of the Citizens National Bank since 1878, as a soldier strenuously employed in the service of his country during the Civil war, or as a promoter of peaceful and substantial conditions in his adopted town of Urbana, W. W. Wilson has made faithfulness to duty his unchanging watchword, and thoroughness and stability his rule of life.  A native of Concord township, this county, to which his paternal grandfather came many years ago from Washington county, Pennsylvania, he was born May 1, 1842, and is a son of Elias R. and Mary (Russell) Wilson, the former also born in Concord township.      When four years of age W. W. Wilson, was left fatherless, his brother, John R. Wilson, now of Oklahoma territory, being the other son in the family.  Although the mother afterwards re-married, the fact did not materially change the prospects of the boys, and when eight or nine years of age W. W. found himself face to face with the serious and responsible side of life.  However, he managed in the midst of his arduous farm duties to acquire a fair education in the district schools, and even at a later day succeeded in graduating from the high-school at Urbana.  A variation in a somewhat monotonous agricultural existence was brought about with the culmination of smouldering hostilities between the north and south. and in April of 1861 he endeavored to become a member of a home company of which A. F. Vance, Sr., was captain.  The quota being full he was not mustered in, but in September of the opening year of the war he enlisted in Company C, Sixty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for three years, and upon the organization of the company was appointed sergeant.  Little dreaming of the permanent reminder of grim-visaged war which fate had in store for him, he departed with the company for the front in January of 1862, and the following June, at the battle of Port Republic, Virginia, sustained a severe injury to his leg.  Totally disabled, the injured member proved a source of great suffering and inconvenience, and was subjected to three different stages of amputation in the effort to save a part of its usefulness.  In addition to this trying ordeal, Mr. Wilson fell into the hands of the enemy, and for four months was permitted to familiarize himself with the interiors of the prisons at Waynesboro, Lynchburg and Libby.  Eventually exchanged, he was discharged in December of 1862, his brief but terrible military experience having contained about all the trials to which soldiers are heir.  Since peace was restored he has been a member of the W. A. Brand Post. No. 98, Grand Army of the Republic.      During 1866 and 1867 Mr. Wilson was journal clerk of the Ohio house of representatives, and the latter part of 1867 was appointed revenue collector of his district, a position creditably maintained for eleven years, or until the assumption in 1878 of his present responsibility as cashier of the Citizens Bank.  In 1868 Mr. Wilson was united in marriage with Anna Virginia Russell, who died in 1898, leaving three children, William R., Carrie Virginia and Frank C.  In 1900 Mr. Wilson married Mrs. Mary B. Murry, widow of James Murry.  The Methodist Episcopal church has a stanch worker and supporter in Mr. Wilson, who has been a steward of the church for forty years, superintendent of the Sunday-school for ten or twelve years, and also a teacher in the Sunday school.  As one of the best known, most thoroughly enterprising and most helpful of the citizens of Urbana, Mr. Wilson receives a deserved measure of appreciation, and his tact and agreeable personality have won him many friends. Source:  A Centennial Biographical History of Champaign Co., Ohio - Illustrated - New York and Chicago - The Lewis Publishing Company - 1902 - Page 609

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