Robert F. Wilson was born in a log house that stood in the same place that his present summer kitchen is located. This log house was not a pretentious structure as compared with the average farm residence of the present time, but this was the kind of a house in which the pioneer settlers lived and began the work of clearing the forests. In this kind of a house they reared their families, usually large families, and trained their children to habits of industry and self-dependence. Under such conditions and such environments, Robert F. Wilson began his life, in 1844. He spent his boyhood days on the home farm, doing his share of a boy's work and, as he grew older, made a "full hand" on his father's farm. After attaining his majority he bought a farm of eighty acres, which he still owns, and on which he has continued to make his home. He put up all the present buildings on the place and has all the needed improvements on the farm. He is engaged in general farming, raising the varied crops for which his farm is well adapted.

Robert F. Wilson has been twice married. His first marriage was to Dorcas Walker, in 1870. There were no children by this marriage. His second wife's maiden name was Luella Sullivan, who was born in North Carolina, to whom he was married in 1893. To this union the following children were born: Euphemia, born in 1894; Marion, born in 1896. Both of these are at home.

The parental grandparents were Robert and Sarah (Friend) Wilson, of North Carolina. They came to Indiana and were among the first settlers in Green township, Hancock county. They located on forty acres of land near that on which Robert F. Wilson now lives. They established a home here and here they spent the rest of their days. The maternal grandparents were Hugh and Sarah Bolden, also of North Carolina. They also were among the early pioneers of Indiana, settling on White Water River, in Hancock county, and engaged in farming for several years. In later life they moved to town and retired from active work.

The parents of Robert F. Wilson were Samuel and Elizabeth (Bolden) Wilson, both natives of North Carolina. Both came to Indiana with their parents when they were young. Samuel Wilson had no education and grew to manhood's estate without being able to read or write. After he was married he was taught these accomplishments by his wife. He began farming on forty acres of land which he entered from the government, the same tract of land on which Robert F. Wilson now lives. He built a rough log cabin which was without a door or chimney when he and his wife moved in and began housekeeping. Later he traded a horse for another forty acres across the road, and some time later bought sixty acres west of this. Mr. Wilson continued to live here until his death, which occurred about twenty-five years before the death of his wife. Mrs. Wilson insisted on living in the old log house after her husband's death, and there she continued to live the remainder of her days. The children of this family were: Frances, John, who died young; Robert F., James, Noah, William J. and Isabel.

Transcribed from History of Hancock County, Indiana, Its People, Industries and Institutions by George J. Richman, B. L., Federal Publishing Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916. Page 1095-1096.

Submitted by Sylvia (Rose) Duda, Laingsburg, MI November 17, 2001.

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