The dominating spirit of self-help is what has conserved the distinctive
business success and prestige of the gentleman whose career we now take
under consideration, who stands at the head of one of the leading industrial
enterprises of Richland county, where from modest inception, he has built up
one of the leading flouring mills in this part of the state, controlling a
trade which ramifies throughout a wide area of country, and having the high
reputation which is ever significant of personal integrity and honorable
methods.
Samuel C. Wilson, of S. C. Wilson & Company, proprietors of
the Butler Street Flour Mills at Olney, Illinois, was born near Maryville,
Tennessee, March 17, 1844, the son of Joseph and Ann (Gault) Wilson, natives
of Virginia, where they were reared. They married after coming to Tennessee.
The subject's father was a farmer and a man of influence in his community.
In April 1852, the family moved to Crawford county, Illinois, where they
settled on a farm. The same year Mr. Wilson bought a farm in Denver
township, Richland county, which was developed into valuable property.
Joseph Wilson died at the age of sixty-nine years, his wife having passed
away at the age of fifty-four years. Mr. Wilson was twice married. Eight
children were born of the first union and two of the second, the subject of
this sketch being the youngest of the first marriage.
Samuel C.
Wilson came with his parents to Richland county in 1852. He was reared on a
farm, and his education in those early days was very limited, but by home
reading and study he gained a fairly good foundation for later learning,
which he has received by contact with the world and general study. He
remained under his parental roof until he was twenty-two years old, at which
time he inherited a part of the old homestead, which he conducted in a very
successful manner until 1876, having in the meantime bought additional land.
He has been prosperous owing to his conservative methods, his careful
business principles. He at one time owned six hundred and forty acres. In
1876 our subject came to Olney and bought a mill, the main part of the
present building having been erected in 1861. When he purchased this
property it was of the old burr system, with a capacity of fifty barrels per
day. Since then the progress of the business has been constant, reaching its
present proportions, large building and modern equipment, consisting of
fourteen sets of rollers, with a capacity of two hundred barrels per day.
Mr. Wilson has been very prosperous and he does a general milling business,
handling large quantities of flour and feed. He manufactures the famous
brand known as "Our Daily Bread"; this special grade of flour having long
ago become known throughout this locality, and it took first premium at the
state fair at Springfield, Illinois, 1908.
The firm consists of
Samuel C. Wilson and John C. Page, under the name of S. C. Wilson & Company,
and they employ considerable help, are always busy, and constantly adding
new territory to their list.
The domestic life of Mr. Wilson dates
from October, 1865, when he was first married to Emily J. Welty, a native of
Hillsboro, Ohio, the daughter of Isaac and Mary A. (Barker) Welty, natives
of Ohio. Seven children were born to the subject and wife, all of whom are
now living, namely: Mary A., Martha A., Isaac N., William E., Charles F.,
Edwin O., and Thomas C. Mrs. Wilson passed to her rest March 3, 1901, and
the subject married Jennie (Bradshaw) Lough, a native of Wayne county,
Illinois.
Mr. Wilson in his political relations is a Democrat, having
long been active in his party's affairs. In 1890 he was elected Treasurer of
Richland county, and ably served one term of four years. In 1899 he was
elected Mayor of Olney, serving one term of two years, being the first
anti-saloon candidate ever elected Mayor of this city. His administration
was regarded by the community as one of the best the town ever had and
numerous improvements were inaugurated. After their license had expired all
saloons were closed during the remainder of his administration. In the
spring of 1908 Mr. Wilson was elected a member of the City Council. In his
fraternal relations he is a member of the Masons and the Knight Templars. In
religious matters he is a faithful attendant of the Presbyterian church,
being one of the oldest elders in the church.
Mr. Wilson is a man of
marked business enterprise and capability, and he carries forward to
successful completion whatever he undertakes. The subject has long been an
important factor in business circles and his popularity is well deserved, as
in him are embraced the characteristics of an unabating energy, unbending
integrity and industry that never flags.
Extracted 26 Apr 2017 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 182-184.
| Jasper | Crawford | |
| Clay |
 |
Lawrence |
| Wayne | Edwards | Wabash |
