MILTON B. WILSON. The gentleman whose sketch we herewith place before our readers is one of the prominent fruit-growers of the state, and has the honor of being the pioneer in the strawberry business in this section. He makes his home in Centralia, and in 1864 he planted on his valuable farm near the city ten acres of that fruit, which was the first grown for shipment in this region.
Our subject was born in Clinton County, Ohio, March 16, 1839, and is the son of Hugh Wilson, also a native of the Buckeye State, whose birth occurred in Lebanon, Warren County. The father was in early life a tanner, but in later years followed the saddlery business. He was married in his native county to Miss Nancy Kelsey, also a native of that place.
Our subject was only two years of age when his parents removed to Indiana, where his father plied his trade of saddler until his decease, March 18, 1861.
In politics he was a strong Republican after the formation of the party, and while residing in the Hoosier State was Recorder of Boone County. With his wife he was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a man whom everyone respected and honored.
Of the family of five children born to his parents, our subject and his sister Mary, now Mrs. J. N. Kerr, of Centralia, are the only survivors. The former was educated in the public schools of Boone County, Ind., and after completing his education learned the saddler's trade from his father, which business he followed until going to Aurora, ILL. In the latter city he spent a year learning the art of caring for strawberries, for which knowledge he paid $14 per month.
In the spring of 1862 Mr. Wilson came to Salem, this state, where he had an uncle who was engaged in the fruit business. Our subject remained with him for two years and then came to Centralia, and in partnership with Elijah E. Sims, purchased land one-half mile from the city, which they set out in fruit. This connection lasted for about four years, when Mr. Wilson purchased his partner's interest in the farm. He now has forty acres devoted to an apple orchard and forty acres in fruit, of which five acres are planted in the finest varieties of strawberries. Of the latter fruit he ships great quantities and has never yet failed to find a ready market for them, as the strawberries speak more for themselves than is claimed for them.
August 16, 1871, M. B. Wilson was united in marriage with Miss Eugenia Penn, the daughter of John Penn, of Tennessee. He was a farmer by occupation, and owned a good estate in Henry County, ILL., where the parents were residing at the time of Mrs. Wilson's birth. To our subject and his wife was born a daughter, Grace A.
Mr. Wilson cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has ever since voted with the Republican party.
With his wife he is a consistent member of the First Baptist Church of Centralia, and they occupy a comfortable home in the city, where they entertain a host of warm friends.
Our subject is a stockholder in the Centralia Fruit Packing & Shipping Company, and is without doubt one of the largest fruit-growers in southern Illinois.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 316 & 319
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer