John Wilson was b. Kilkenny Co., Ire., 1812; d. 1893. He came to Canada in 1851, settled at Durham, Grey Co., where he carried on farming. He had started in life previous to the famine in Ireland, and was in good circumstances, but the famine wrought his financial ruin, and he started life in Canada with nothing. He did considerable teaming between Durham, Guelph and Hamilton before the advent of the railways. In 1871 he sold out in Grey Co., and purchased a farm in Arthur Tp., where he resided until 1881, when he came to Maryborough and purchased 100 acres, lot 4, con. 8, which is now owned and occupied by his son William.

The late John Wilson was a man of considerable force of character, and of strict integrity. He was a member of the Methodist church, and in politics was a Conservative. He m. Margaret Hadean, who d. in 1884, age 64 years. Issue: Mrs. (Rev.) James Laird, in Caledonia; Mrs. Wm. Mainland (d.), Mrs. John Townsend, and George.

George is a hardware merchant in Moorefield. He m. first Rachel Ternan. Issue: George, Jr., Margaret, John, Erline, Hannah, and Walter. Second wife, Mrs. Philips. Issue: Harry and William.

William, m. Catharine Booth, and as before mentioned, succeeded his father to the old homestead, which he operated successfully. The Wilson family have always represented the very best citizenship, and its members have taken a leading part in the affairs of the community.