George W Wilson (abt. 1820 - aft. 1881)

Born about 1820 in Henry, Virginia, United States

Husband of Elizabeth Unknown — married about 1849 in Illinois, United States [uncertain]

Husband of Melvina (Treece) Wilson — married 27 May 1866 in Union, Illinois, United States

Died after 29 Oct 1881 after about age 61 in Stoddard, Missouri, United States [uncertain]

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Biography

George Wilson was born about 1819-1824 in Virginia or North Carolina depending on which census record you are looking at. It appears that he was in the civil war and on that record, his birth given as 1820 Henry Co, VA. He was a son of Samuel Wilson and wife Sarah Unknown.

About 1849, George married Elizabeth Unknown in Tennessee or Illinois. Marriage record still needed.

George and Elizabeth had at least 4 children;

John W b c 1850 in Illinois.

Henry b c 1852 Illinois. [uncertain]

Sarah b c 1855 Illinois.

Elizabeth b c 1857, probably Union County, Illinois

Rachel Ann b 26 Nov 1861, married Haywood Zephaniah Wiggs on 6 Nov 1881 in Union Co, IL. She died 13 July 1943 in Denton Co, TX and buried at Odd Fellows Cemetery.

In the 1850 census of Jonesboro, Union Co, IL; George Wilson 26 b VA, Elizabeth Wilson 19 TN, no children yet.

In the 1855 census of Union Co, IL; George Wilson age 30-40, 1 fem (Elizabeth) 20-30, 1 male under 10 (John), 1 fem under 10 (Sarah).

In the 1860 census of Anna, Union Co, IL; George Wilson 40 NC, Elizabeth 29 TN (or 39?), John 10, Sarah 5, Rachel 3 (Now where is Henry?) No real estate listed.

On 4 Jan 1862 in the "Jonesboro Gazette", pg 2; Sheriff's Sale; In favor of Isaac Treese against George Wilson; levied upon So 1/2 of SW 1/4 Sect 4, twp 12 S, R1W = 80 ac AND NE 1/4 of NW 1/4 Sect 9, twp 12 S, R1W = 40 ac. Will sell for cash on 11 Jan 1862 Jonesboro Courthouse. L P Willcox, Sheriff.

It appears that George W Wilson, b 1820 Henry Co, Virginia, entered the civil war on 15 Aug 1862 in Anna, mustered in at Jonesboro and mustered out on 14 July 1865 Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

In the 1865 state census; Jonesboro, Union County, IL; George Wilson 40-50, WIFE! Elizabeth 30-40, son 10-20 [John W 15], dau under 10 [Elizabeth 8], dau 10-20 [Sarah 10].

On 27 May 1866 in Union County, Illinois, George W Wilson married for a second time to Melvina Treece, daughter of John "Henry" Treece and wife Nancy Lemley.

The couple had two children;

Henry Wilson b 1868. Did the first Henry die? Possibly before 1855?

George W Wilson b c 1869 Illinois.

In the 1870 census of Anna, Union County, IL; George Wilson 51 VA, Melvina 35 IL, Henry 2 IL, George W 1 IL, Elizabeth 13 IL (child of 1st wife). Next door to John and Martha Watkins (George's sister Martha Wilson)

In the 1870 agricultural census (difficult to read), it appears George has 30 acres developed and 102 undeveloped. He is listed near Henry Treese [father in law?]

In the 1880 census of Elk, Stoddard County, MIssouri; George (indexed as Garge) Wilson 58 VA VA VA, married but no wife in household, John W 29 IL VA VA, Henry 12 IL, George 10 IL.

Nothing is known about the deaths of George's two wives. It is assumed that Elizabeth died between 14 July 1865-27 May 1866, the date George remarried. George's military record states he is married, not widowed. ALSO in the 1865 state census, George has a female same age as Elizabeth in his household.

Melvina does not appear in the 1880 household with her children. Some online trees have her death date as 1879 but without sources.

In the Jonesboro Gazette dated 29 Oct 1881 on page 3; "Mr G W Wilson of Essex, Stoddard Co, Missouri called on last Monday. He formerly resided in this county and was here to see his old friends. He is pleased with Missouri."

A cursory search of cemeteries has revealed nothing. More work desperately needed.

Sources

• Illinois > Union > Jonesboro: "1850 United States Federal Census"
  Illinois > Union > Jonesboro
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Image (accessed 25 April 2024)
  George Wilson.

• 1855 > Union > All Localities: "Illinois, U.S., State Census Collection, 1825-1865"
  1855 > Union > All Localities
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Image (accessed 25 April 2024)
  Geo Wilson.

• 1860 United States Federal Census: "1860 United States Federal Census"
  Illinois > Union > Township 12 S Range 1 W
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Image (accessed 25 April 2024)
  George Wilson.

• Military: "Web: Illinois, U.S., Databases of Illinois Veterans Index, 1775-1995"
  Original data: Databases of Illinois Veterans. Illinois State Archive. https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/archives/databases/home.html: accessed 5 August 2014; URL: https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/archives/databases/datcivil.html
  Ancestry Record 9759 #360416 (accessed 25 April 2024)
  Name: George W Wilson; Rank: Private; Military Age: 41; Service Entry Age: 42; Muster In Age: 42; Muster Out Age: 45; Birth Date: abt 1820; Birth Place: Henry Co, Virginia; Height: 6' 1; Hair: Light; Eyes: Gray; Complexion: Fair; War Years: 1861-1865; War: Civil War; Company: B; Unit: 11th Illinois Infantry; Period: 3 Yrs; Service Entry Date: 15 Aug 1862; Service Entry Place: Anna, Illinois; Joined By Whom: J McElhany; Muster In Date: 11 Sep 1862; Muster In Place: Jonesboro, Illinois; Muster Out Date: 14 Jul 1865; Muster Out Place: Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Muster Out By Whom: Cpt Hawk; Occupation: Farmer; Record Source: Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls.

• 1865 > Union > Jonesboro: "Illinois, U.S., State Census Collection, 1825-1865"
  1865 > Union > Jonesboro
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Image (accessed 25 April 2024)
  Geo Wilson.

• Marriage: "Illinois, U.S., Marriage Index, 1860-1920"
  Original data: Illinois State Marriage Records. Online index. Illinois State Public Record Offices
  Ancestry Record 60984 #961539 (accessed 25 April 2024)
  George W Wilson marriage to Melvina Treese on 27 May 1866 in Union, Illinois, USA.

• Illinois > Union > Anna: "1870 United States Federal Census"
  Illinois > Union > Anna
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Image (accessed 25 April 2024)
  George Wilson.

• 1870 Non-population Census: "U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880"
  National Archives at Washington, DC; Washington, DC; U.S. Federal Census Non-population Schedules, Illinois, 1850-1880; NAID: 2791276; Record Group Number: 29; Record Group Title: Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790-2007; OS Page: 7; Line Number: 2
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 1276 #3888657 (accessed 25 April 2024)
  Name: Geo Wilson; Enumeration Date: 7 Jun 1870; Place: Anna, Union, Illinois, USA; Schedule Type: Agriculture.

1880 CENSUS; Elk, Stoddard County, Missouri

• Jonesboro Gazette; Sat Oct 29, 1881, page 3.