(NOTE: Amos Q. Wilson probably never had his portrait taken prior to the Civil War and during his short time in service, he spent much of his time sick in the hospitals and never made it to Nashville, Tennessee, where most of the photographs of the veterans of the 86th were taken. However, Amos survived his ailment and lived well into the 20th century. During his life, Amos probably had his picture taken dozens of times, if not hundreds of times. I would dearly love to see some pictures of Amos as a younger man, however, at this point, I would be thrilled just to see some pictures of him, even ones of him as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Sergeant AMOS Q. WILSON, Co. A, 86th Illinois
Amos Q. Wilson was born on June 12, 1830 in Highland County, Ohio, possibly near Chillicothe, Ohio, but Chillicothe, Ohio is not in Highland County as is inferred at the time he enlisted. Amos Q. Wilson was likely a grandson of Amos Wilson, who is found as head-of-houshold in Brush Creek Township, Highland County, Ohio at the time of the 1830 census. At that time, Amos Wilson is in his 50's, having been born in the 1770's. Amos is known to have had at least two sons, Alexander and Jacob L., who were both in the 1820's indentured to a wagonmaker named Archibald Brown, to learn the art of wagonmaking.
In the early 1800's the Wilsons came to an area of Highland County, Ohio that in 1810 would be divided off to become Clinton County, Ohio. A Clinton County history contains the following stories of the Wilson family;
"Regarding Amos Wilson, the following is in the language of Judge Haglan: "Amos Wilson, from whom Wilson Township, Clinton County, was named, was one of three sons of John Wilson, a member of the first constitutional convention of Ohio, who was the son of John Wilson, an Irishman. Amos Wilson and his father before him, and several of his brothers and sisters were born in New Jersey. From that State his father removed with his family to the Redstone country in Pennsylvania, and from there to Washington County, Ky. He lived for several years in Washington and Greene Counties. His nest removal was to Mill Crook, in Hamilton County, Ohio, near Cincinnati. John Wilson, named for his grandfather, born December 29, 1786, informed the writer, on March 13, 1876, that his grandfather, after he sold his possessions in Kentucky, supposing that he would get his money in silver, took his grandson, then nine years of acre, on a separate horse to Lexington, to bring the money home. He, however, was not paid cash as he expected, but was given a draft on Cincinnati, on which he received his payments when they arrived there. This was in 1795.In 1796, John Wilson, with his family, and his sons and their families, left Kentucky and came to Cincinnati. That year, the party raised a crop on Mill Creek. In the spring of that year, George and Amos went to Middle Run, in what is now Greene County, Ohio, and cleared a few acres of land,, on part of which hemp was sown, and on the residue corn was planted. No fence was put up around the little clearing. The corn made a good crop; the deer took a part of it, but the squirrels seemed shy of it, as if doubtful of its fitness for food. These young men returned to Mill Creek and remained until fall, when each mounted on a horse and returned to their newly opened farm to secure their crops. One night, three Indians came and stole their horses. n discovery of their loss, the Wilsons, each armed with a rifle, started in pursuit. hey traced the Indians by a devious and circuitous way, taken evidently to avoid pursuit, to the old site of the famous town of Chillicothe, on the Little Miami, north of where the town of Xenia now is. ere the Indians, three in number, and all armed, were found encamped for the night. he pursuing party had, up to this time, supposed that there were only two Indians, with no advantage in number on either side; but here were three to two. The Indians watched their adversaries closely, and were constantly ready for action if a fight should be brought on. The Wilsons were not less vigilant, and were ready, but by no means courting a combat. The Indians, after a time, offered them something to eat. This, however, was the only friendly act performed by either side. Sleep on neither side was taken. It is believed that neither party even nodded. At last the light of morning came, and the white men mounted their horses and rode rapidly away without molestation."
It continued, "In the spring of 1797, John Wilson commenced a settlement on Middle Run. His improvement was immediately upon the road now leading from Waynesville to the town of Centerville, in Montgomery County, Ohio. His first dwelling, a rude structure, of course, has disappeared, but near its site the house long his residence still stands. It is situate on the south side of the road, and is in Greene County, though bat a short distance from the line dividing the counties of Greene and Warren. The Wilsons came to Cincinnati in 1796, from Kentucky; 1797, they cropped on Mill Creek, near Cincinnati; 1797, George and Amos, sons of John Wilson, raised a small crop of corn and hemp on Middle Run, Greene County; 1797, George and John came tip from :Mill Creek to look after their crops, and had their horses stolen by the Indians; in 1797, John Wilson, in the fall of the year, moved to Middle Run, in Greene County. In 1799, a Baptist Church was organized at Middle Run. About 1803, Amos Wilson began to preach in the Baptist Church."
It still continued, "It is claimed by some (atlas history, of Clinton County, p. 11) that the first permanent settlement in Clinton County was made by Amos Wilson and James Mills, in what is now Wilson Township. in 1799. They were brothers-in-law, and came to the county together, but it seems to be clearly established that their settlement was not earlier than the fall of 1801 and possibly not until the spring of 1802. Amos Wilson, up to 1801, was living upon a preempted right about three miles northwest of where Waynesville now is. This pre-emption right he exchanged with the Rev. Joshua Carman (we find this name also spelled Carmen), well known to many of our citizens, for 100 acres of land in the eastern quarter of the county. Mr. Carman was, at the time of the exchange, living in the State of Kentucky, near Louisville, and had come out into the Miami country on an exploring expedition. Having secured Mr. Wilson's claim, he returned to Kentucky for his family, and, in the fall of the same year, brought them out to the Waynesville neighborhood. On his arrival, Mr. Wilson vacated the house on the pre-emption, and Mr. Carman entered into possession. Whether Mr. Wilson at once came up to settle on 'he land he had thus acquired, or not until the following spring, has not been ascertained with certainty.
"That Timothy Bennet made his settlement as early as March, 1801, is clearly established, and we have the best authority for believing that Morgan Van Meter had made his settlement where Snow Hill now is at least two, and perhaps three, years previous. Mr. Wilson was married four times His first wife was Ann Mills, to whom he was married on the 22d day of June, 1791. In March, 1807, Mrs. Wilson died, and September 27,1807, he married Rachel James, with whom he lived until her death, in May, 1818. On the 12th day of July, 1818, he was married to Mary Coulter, who died in 1839. Mr. Wilson was married the last time in 1843, to Elizabeth Dowden, who survived him twenty years."
It continued, "From data since obtained, it is evident that Judge Harlan was misled as to the actual time of Mr. Wilson's settlement in his county. The latter's son, Amos Wilson, Jr., furnishes information, which is confirmed by a record in the old family Bible, to the effect that Amos Wilson, Sr., located in Clinton County in 1799. The circumstances were these. He purchased 200 (instead of 100) acres in the northeast corner of W. Taylor's survey, in what is now Wilson Township, and, in order to find it, was directed to go to the locality of the Deserted Camp, and follow the survey line due northeast from there until he should cross Anderson's Fork and Anderson's Prairie, and reach the ridge land, or white oak land, beyond. He followed these directions, and, supposing he had reached his own land, at once began improving it. After two years' labor at this spot, he found that he was upon what is known as the Hinkson farm, in the R. Eggleston survey, No. 886, and, moving south to the adjoining farm, began anew to improve. A year was spent here, when he was chagrined to learn that again he was on the wrong land, it being in W. Lindsay's survey, No. 732, on what is now known as the Reed farm. Being now discouraged, and having wasted three years in improving land not his own, he avowed his determination to return to the older settlements; but Joshua Carman, from whom he had purchased the land, came along and showed him his own, and, to partially compensate him for his pains and induce him to stay, donated to him a strip containing fifty acres, lying on the west side of the original 200 acres. At this time, which was in the early spring of 1802, Mr. Carman was accompanied by Mr. Wilson's brother-in-law, James Mills, who had purchased a farm immediately south of Wilson's, in the same survey. These two men proceeded at once to erect log cabins on their farms, and both structures were raised on the same day. The families occupied them, and on these farms lived Amos Wilson and James Mills until their death. In 1827, Mr. Wilson erected on his place the first brick house in the northeastern part of the county. Of the family of Mr. Wilson, not a representative is now left in the county. The Mills farm is still owned by the descendants of the man who made the first improvements upon it in the spring of 1802."
According to his obituary, when Amos Q. Wilson was quite young, his parents took the family, leaving Highland County, Ohio and moved to Kentucky, Amos remained until he was 17 years of age. About 1847, Amos Q. Wilson returned to Ohio, settling in Brown County, Ohio, where he learned the Carpenter trade.
Amos Q. Wilson was married on 5 Aug 1852 in Brown County, Ohio to Eliza E. Geeslin. Eliza was born in 1834 in Ohio, the daughter of Larkin Geeslin. At the time of the 1850 census, Eliza and her family are found in Byrd Township, Brown County, Ohio. It appears that her father has died by this time;
Elizabeth Geeslin F 45 Pennsylvania
Sarah I Geeslin F 21 Ohio
John Geeslin M 19 Ohio
Eliza Geeslin F 16 Ohio
Ackless Geeslin M 12 Ohio
Amos and Eliza remained in Brown County, Ohio until about 1856/57 when they moved west to Illinois, where they settled in Woodford County, Illinois.
Fifteen children were born to Amos and Eliza, many dying young. Following is a list of the children known to have been born to Amos and Eliza. There were several more;
1. John Wilson, born c. 1851/52 in Ohio. John Wilson may have died by the time the 1870 census was taken.
2. Elizabeth Wilson, born c. 1854/55 in Ohio. Elizabeth may have died by the time the 1870 census was taken.
3. Larkin G. Wilson, born March 18, 1856 in Ohio. The Prairie District Library in Woodford County has the obituary for Larkin G. Wilson being born on 18 Mar 1846 and dying on 1 Oct 1934, which appeared in an 5 Oct 1934 edition of a local newspaper. Larkin is found living with his parents in the 1860 and 1870 census records of Woodford County, Illinois. Larkin is believed never to have been married. In the 1930 census, he is still recorded as single. Larkin G. Wilson's mortal remains were laid to rest in the Secor Cemetery.
4. Grace Ann Wilson, born October 19, 1857 in Illinois. Grace was married to Mathias Rock on __________ __, 18__. Mathias Rock was born on ____________ __, 1850 and died on ____________ __, 1896.
Four children were born to Grace and Mathias, including;
A. Willis Rock, born c. 1880/81 in Illinois.
B. Eliza A. Rock, born c. 1890/91 in Illinois.
At the time of the 1900 census, Grace, who is widowed, and her family are found in the village of Secor, Palestine Township, Woodford County, Illinois. Grace is listed as having had four children, only three of whom are still living at that time;
Grace Rock Head F 43 Illinois
Willis Rock Son M 19 Illinois
Eliza A Rock Daughter F 9 Illinois
Grace died on November 22, 1930 and her mortal remains were laid in the Secor Cemetery in Secor, Woodford County, Illinois.
5. William Wilson, born c. 1858/59 in Illinois. William is believed to have died before the 1870 census was taken.
6. Lucinda E. "Lucy" Wilson, born November 6, 1860 in Woodford County, Illinois; married to __________ Williamson on __________ __, 18__; Lucy died on March 17, 1915; buried in the Secor Cemetery.
7. Allen Wilson, born c. 1867 in Illinois. Listed as Allin N. Wilson in his father's obituary in 1909, Allin was listed as living in Rockville, Missouri. At the time of the 1910 census, Allen M. Wilson is found residing in Ward 5 of the city of Nevada, Vernon County, Missouri. He was born c. 1867/68 in Illinois and his parents were both born in Ohio, all of which fit;
Allen M Wilson Head M 42 Illinois
Maggie Wilson Wife F 38 Iowa
Allen M. Wilson was born on 21 Dec 1867, died on 24 Sep 1934 and his mortal remains were laid in the Valhalla Cemetery in Bel-Nor, St. Louis County, Missouri. See his Find A Grave Memorial #186525360. It appears that he and Margaret had no children.
8. Nancy Margaret Wilson, born January 12, 1870 in Woodford County, Illinois; married to __________ Armstrong on December 17, 1917: married possibly before that to __________ Patterson; Nancy died on December 19, 1958; buried in the Secor Cemetery.
9. Henry Wilson, born on __________ __, 1871 in Woodford County, Illinois; died on __________ __, 1880 in Woodford County, Illinois; buried in the Secor Cemetery.
10. Alice E. Wilson, born 29 Nov 1874 in Illinois. Alice was married to Norwood P. Nofsinger in the early 1890's. One son was born to them;
A. Glenn Norwood Nofsinger, born 26 Sep 1894 in Secor, Woodford County, Illinois. Glenn died on 4 Oct 1975 in Pontiac, Livingston County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Pontiac, Livingston County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial #42882882.
Alice E. (Wilson) Nofsinger died on 4 Oct 1894, nine days after her son was born, from complications from child birth. Her mortal remains were laid in the Secor Cemetery in Secor, Woodford County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial #21666138.
11. Frank Wilson, born __________ __, 1877 in Woodford County, Illinois; died on __________ __, 1881 in Woodford County, Illinois; buried in the Secor Cemetery.
12. (Son) ____________ Wilson,
13. (Son) ____________ Wilson,
14. (Son) ____________ Wilson,
15. (Daughter) ____________ Wilson,
At the time of the 1860 census, Amos and his family are found in Olio Township in Woodford County, Ilinois;
Amos K Wilson, age 28, birth: c. 1832 Ky
Eliza Wilson, age 26, birth: c. 1834 Ohio
John Wilson, age 8, birth c. 1852 Ohio
Elizabeth Wilson, age 5, birth c. 1855 Ohio
Larkin Wilson, age 4, birth c. 1856 Ohio
Grace A Wilson, age 3, birth: c. 1857 Ill
William Wilson, age 1, birth: c. 1859 Ill
On August 7, 1862, Amos Q. Wilson volunteered to service in a company which was being raised in the Eureka and El Paso, Illinois area of Woodford County by William S. Magarity, who had been the first man elected to serve as Woodford County Sheriff in the 1840's.
ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES
Illinois Civil War Detail Report
Name WILSON, A Q Rank SGT
Company A Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence OLIO, WOODFORD CO, IL
Age 32 Height 5' 8 1/2
Hair BLACK Eyes HAZEL
Complexion DARK Marital Status MARRIED
Occupation FARMER
Nativity CHILICOTHE, HIGHLAND CO, OH
Service Record
Joined When AUG 7, 1862
Joined Where OLIO, IL
Joined By Whom CPT MAGARITY
Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862
Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom
Muster Out
Muster Out Where
Muster Out By Whom
Remarks DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY JAN 20, 1863 AT GALLATIN, TENNESSEE
When Magarity had about 100 volunteers, he took his company across the Illinois River to Peoria, Illinois where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. On August 27, 1862, 96 men of the Woodford County company were mustered into service as Co. A of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Magarity was elected Captain of Co. A. Amos Q. Wilson was selected by the men of Co. A to serve as their 4th Sergeant.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th marched out of the gates Camp Lyon through the streets of Peoria down to the railroad station. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. At the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt, in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which was located on the Ohio River across from Louisville. After several weeks of drilling, the men of the 85th & 86th were assigned to a Brigade being commanded by General Daniel McCook and placed in the an army commanded by Union General Buell. They were sent into Kentucky to chase down the last Confederate troops in Kentucky, who were commanded by Confederate General Bragg.
On October of 1862, Buell's army caught up with Bragg's army and on Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCooks Brigade participated in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, a Union victory, which helped to drive the Confederate troops out of Kentucky. After the Battle of Perryville, the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee where they began a long period of garrison duty.
During the fall of 1862 and the winter of 1862/63, the new way of life for these green troops was hard on their health. The diet and living conditions were not conducive to good health and the hospitals were full to overflowing in Nashville. Today the National Cemetery in Nashville is the burying ground for hundreds, if not thousands, of Union soldiers who died during that first winter in Nashville.
Even before the men had left the Louisville, Kentucky area for Perryville, the men were having difficulty with their health. When the men of McCook's Brigade left Louisville, many men were left behind sick in the hospitals in Louisville. After the Battle of Berryville, the men of McCook's Brigade passed through Bowling Green, Kentucky and then Gallatin, Tennessee. At both of these cities, the men of McCook's Brigade stopped to rest a few days before continuing the march toward Nashville. When they picked up the march, sick soldiers were left behind in the hospitals of both of these cities. One of the soldiers known to have been having a tough time with his health during this time and who was left behind sick in the hospital at Gallatin, Tennessee was Sergeant Amos Q. Wilson.
Whatever his ailment, nothing the doctors did seemed to help Sergeant Wilson's condition. Finally in January of 1863, the doctors made the decision that the best thing they could do for Sergeant Wilson was to discharge him and send him home in hopes that with the help of family and some home cooking, he could regain his health. So, on January 20, 1863, Sergeant Amos Q. Wilson was discharged from the service on account of disability and sent home.
Once back home, with the help of family and that home cooking, Amos Q. Wilson survived his ailment.
Amos Q. Wilson became a Minister of the Gospel and worked in the Secor Church of Christ for many years. In 1862 the Church of Christ erected the building which is now called the Christian Church. In 1898 part of this organization withdrew and built the present Church of Christ. James Robeson, usually called "Uncle Jimmy" was one of the early pioneers of this church. Uncle Jimmy served many church congregations and helped build many churches in this area. A. Q. Wilson, a Civil War veteran, and the father of Mrs. William Armstrong, was another pioneer minister who worked in the church here. D. R. Meek and A. Q. Wilson were elders of the church for many years. Other elders who served were E. L. Patterson, Frank Wilson, James Carter, Henry Armstrong, all deceased, and Dalton Miller now living at Astoria, Illinois."
At the time of the 1870 census, this Wilson family is found in Woodford County, Illinois;
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Amos Wilson M 40y Ohio
Eliza Wilson F 36y Ohio
Sarah Wilson F 16y Ohio
Larken Wilson M 14y Ohio
Grace Wilson F 12y Illinois
Lucinda Wilson F 10y Illinois
Allen Wilson M 3y Illinois
Nancy Wilson F 6m Illinois
At the time of the 1880 census, the Wilson family is found in Secor, Woodford County, Illinois;
Amous Wilson, occupation: Carpenter, father's birthplace: Ohio; mother's birthplace: Kentucky
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Amous Wilson M 49 Ohio
E. E. Wilson F 46 Ohio
Lucy Wilson F 19 Illinois
Alven Wilson M 12 Illinois
Maggie Wilson F 10 Illinois
Henry Wilson M 8 Illinois
Allice Wilson F 5 Illinois
Frank Wilson M 3 Illinois
At the time of the 1900 census, Amos and Eliza are found in the village of Secor, Palestine Township, Woodford County, Illinois. They have been married for 48 years and she is listed as having had 15 children, only 6 of whom are living in 1900;
A. Q. Wilson Head Male Jun 1830 70 Ohio
Eliza E Wilson Wife Female Jan 1834 66 Ohio
Larkin G Wilson Son Male 44 Ohio
Glenn Nofringer Grandson Male 6 Illinois
Amos Q. Wilson died on May 30, 1909 at __________, Illinois. Eliza E. Gresling died on ___________ __, 1919 at ___________, Illinois. Their mortal remains were laid to rest in the Secor Cemetery in Secor, Illinois.
by Baxter B. Fite III
(Baxter would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Wilson family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Amos Q. Wilson and the Wilson family. Baxter would also love to see copies of any photographs of Amos Q. Wilson that may have survived the years, added to his Find A Grave site for all to see.)
Sergeant AMOS Q. WILSON, Co. A, 86th Illinois
Amos Q. Wilson was born on June 12, 1830 in Highland County, Ohio, possibly near Chillicothe, Ohio, but Chillicothe, Ohio is not in Highland County as is inferred at the time he enlisted. Amos Q. Wilson was likely a grandson of Amos Wilson, who is found as head-of-houshold in Brush Creek Township, Highland County, Ohio at the time of the 1830 census. At that time, Amos Wilson is in his 50's, having been born in the 1770's. Amos is known to have had at least two sons, Alexander and Jacob L., who were both in the 1820's indentured to a wagonmaker named Archibald Brown, to learn the art of wagonmaking.
In the early 1800's the Wilsons came to an area of Highland County, Ohio that in 1810 would be divided off to become Clinton County, Ohio. A Clinton County history contains the following stories of the Wilson family;
"Regarding Amos Wilson, the following is in the language of Judge Haglan: "Amos Wilson, from whom Wilson Township, Clinton County, was named, was one of three sons of John Wilson, a member of the first constitutional convention of Ohio, who was the son of John Wilson, an Irishman. Amos Wilson and his father before him, and several of his brothers and sisters were born in New Jersey. From that State his father removed with his family to the Redstone country in Pennsylvania, and from there to Washington County, Ky. He lived for several years in Washington and Greene Counties. His nest removal was to Mill Crook, in Hamilton County, Ohio, near Cincinnati. John Wilson, named for his grandfather, born December 29, 1786, informed the writer, on March 13, 1876, that his grandfather, after he sold his possessions in Kentucky, supposing that he would get his money in silver, took his grandson, then nine years of acre, on a separate horse to Lexington, to bring the money home. He, however, was not paid cash as he expected, but was given a draft on Cincinnati, on which he received his payments when they arrived there. This was in 1795.In 1796, John Wilson, with his family, and his sons and their families, left Kentucky and came to Cincinnati. That year, the party raised a crop on Mill Creek. In the spring of that year, George and Amos went to Middle Run, in what is now Greene County, Ohio, and cleared a few acres of land,, on part of which hemp was sown, and on the residue corn was planted. No fence was put up around the little clearing. The corn made a good crop; the deer took a part of it, but the squirrels seemed shy of it, as if doubtful of its fitness for food. These young men returned to Mill Creek and remained until fall, when each mounted on a horse and returned to their newly opened farm to secure their crops. One night, three Indians came and stole their horses. n discovery of their loss, the Wilsons, each armed with a rifle, started in pursuit. hey traced the Indians by a devious and circuitous way, taken evidently to avoid pursuit, to the old site of the famous town of Chillicothe, on the Little Miami, north of where the town of Xenia now is. ere the Indians, three in number, and all armed, were found encamped for the night. he pursuing party had, up to this time, supposed that there were only two Indians, with no advantage in number on either side; but here were three to two. The Indians watched their adversaries closely, and were constantly ready for action if a fight should be brought on. The Wilsons were not less vigilant, and were ready, but by no means courting a combat. The Indians, after a time, offered them something to eat. This, however, was the only friendly act performed by either side. Sleep on neither side was taken. It is believed that neither party even nodded. At last the light of morning came, and the white men mounted their horses and rode rapidly away without molestation."
It continued, "In the spring of 1797, John Wilson commenced a settlement on Middle Run. His improvement was immediately upon the road now leading from Waynesville to the town of Centerville, in Montgomery County, Ohio. His first dwelling, a rude structure, of course, has disappeared, but near its site the house long his residence still stands. It is situate on the south side of the road, and is in Greene County, though bat a short distance from the line dividing the counties of Greene and Warren. The Wilsons came to Cincinnati in 1796, from Kentucky; 1797, they cropped on Mill Creek, near Cincinnati; 1797, George and Amos, sons of John Wilson, raised a small crop of corn and hemp on Middle Run, Greene County; 1797, George and John came tip from :Mill Creek to look after their crops, and had their horses stolen by the Indians; in 1797, John Wilson, in the fall of the year, moved to Middle Run, in Greene County. In 1799, a Baptist Church was organized at Middle Run. About 1803, Amos Wilson began to preach in the Baptist Church."
It still continued, "It is claimed by some (atlas history, of Clinton County, p. 11) that the first permanent settlement in Clinton County was made by Amos Wilson and James Mills, in what is now Wilson Township. in 1799. They were brothers-in-law, and came to the county together, but it seems to be clearly established that their settlement was not earlier than the fall of 1801 and possibly not until the spring of 1802. Amos Wilson, up to 1801, was living upon a preempted right about three miles northwest of where Waynesville now is. This pre-emption right he exchanged with the Rev. Joshua Carman (we find this name also spelled Carmen), well known to many of our citizens, for 100 acres of land in the eastern quarter of the county. Mr. Carman was, at the time of the exchange, living in the State of Kentucky, near Louisville, and had come out into the Miami country on an exploring expedition. Having secured Mr. Wilson's claim, he returned to Kentucky for his family, and, in the fall of the same year, brought them out to the Waynesville neighborhood. On his arrival, Mr. Wilson vacated the house on the pre-emption, and Mr. Carman entered into possession. Whether Mr. Wilson at once came up to settle on 'he land he had thus acquired, or not until the following spring, has not been ascertained with certainty.
"That Timothy Bennet made his settlement as early as March, 1801, is clearly established, and we have the best authority for believing that Morgan Van Meter had made his settlement where Snow Hill now is at least two, and perhaps three, years previous. Mr. Wilson was married four times His first wife was Ann Mills, to whom he was married on the 22d day of June, 1791. In March, 1807, Mrs. Wilson died, and September 27,1807, he married Rachel James, with whom he lived until her death, in May, 1818. On the 12th day of July, 1818, he was married to Mary Coulter, who died in 1839. Mr. Wilson was married the last time in 1843, to Elizabeth Dowden, who survived him twenty years."
It continued, "From data since obtained, it is evident that Judge Harlan was misled as to the actual time of Mr. Wilson's settlement in his county. The latter's son, Amos Wilson, Jr., furnishes information, which is confirmed by a record in the old family Bible, to the effect that Amos Wilson, Sr., located in Clinton County in 1799. The circumstances were these. He purchased 200 (instead of 100) acres in the northeast corner of W. Taylor's survey, in what is now Wilson Township, and, in order to find it, was directed to go to the locality of the Deserted Camp, and follow the survey line due northeast from there until he should cross Anderson's Fork and Anderson's Prairie, and reach the ridge land, or white oak land, beyond. He followed these directions, and, supposing he had reached his own land, at once began improving it. After two years' labor at this spot, he found that he was upon what is known as the Hinkson farm, in the R. Eggleston survey, No. 886, and, moving south to the adjoining farm, began anew to improve. A year was spent here, when he was chagrined to learn that again he was on the wrong land, it being in W. Lindsay's survey, No. 732, on what is now known as the Reed farm. Being now discouraged, and having wasted three years in improving land not his own, he avowed his determination to return to the older settlements; but Joshua Carman, from whom he had purchased the land, came along and showed him his own, and, to partially compensate him for his pains and induce him to stay, donated to him a strip containing fifty acres, lying on the west side of the original 200 acres. At this time, which was in the early spring of 1802, Mr. Carman was accompanied by Mr. Wilson's brother-in-law, James Mills, who had purchased a farm immediately south of Wilson's, in the same survey. These two men proceeded at once to erect log cabins on their farms, and both structures were raised on the same day. The families occupied them, and on these farms lived Amos Wilson and James Mills until their death. In 1827, Mr. Wilson erected on his place the first brick house in the northeastern part of the county. Of the family of Mr. Wilson, not a representative is now left in the county. The Mills farm is still owned by the descendants of the man who made the first improvements upon it in the spring of 1802."
According to his obituary, when Amos Q. Wilson was quite young, his parents took the family, leaving Highland County, Ohio and moved to Kentucky, Amos remained until he was 17 years of age. About 1847, Amos Q. Wilson returned to Ohio, settling in Brown County, Ohio, where he learned the Carpenter trade.
Amos Q. Wilson was married on 5 Aug 1852 in Brown County, Ohio to Eliza E. Geeslin. Eliza was born in 1834 in Ohio, the daughter of Larkin Geeslin. At the time of the 1850 census, Eliza and her family are found in Byrd Township, Brown County, Ohio. It appears that her father has died by this time;
Elizabeth Geeslin F 45 Pennsylvania
Sarah I Geeslin F 21 Ohio
John Geeslin M 19 Ohio
Eliza Geeslin F 16 Ohio
Ackless Geeslin M 12 Ohio
Amos and Eliza remained in Brown County, Ohio until about 1856/57 when they moved west to Illinois, where they settled in Woodford County, Illinois.
Fifteen children were born to Amos and Eliza, many dying young. Following is a list of the children known to have been born to Amos and Eliza. There were several more;
1. John Wilson, born c. 1851/52 in Ohio. John Wilson may have died by the time the 1870 census was taken.
2. Elizabeth Wilson, born c. 1854/55 in Ohio. Elizabeth may have died by the time the 1870 census was taken.
3. Larkin G. Wilson, born March 18, 1856 in Ohio. The Prairie District Library in Woodford County has the obituary for Larkin G. Wilson being born on 18 Mar 1846 and dying on 1 Oct 1934, which appeared in an 5 Oct 1934 edition of a local newspaper. Larkin is found living with his parents in the 1860 and 1870 census records of Woodford County, Illinois. Larkin is believed never to have been married. In the 1930 census, he is still recorded as single. Larkin G. Wilson's mortal remains were laid to rest in the Secor Cemetery.
4. Grace Ann Wilson, born October 19, 1857 in Illinois. Grace was married to Mathias Rock on __________ __, 18__. Mathias Rock was born on ____________ __, 1850 and died on ____________ __, 1896.
Four children were born to Grace and Mathias, including;
A. Willis Rock, born c. 1880/81 in Illinois.
B. Eliza A. Rock, born c. 1890/91 in Illinois.
At the time of the 1900 census, Grace, who is widowed, and her family are found in the village of Secor, Palestine Township, Woodford County, Illinois. Grace is listed as having had four children, only three of whom are still living at that time;
Grace Rock Head F 43 Illinois
Willis Rock Son M 19 Illinois
Eliza A Rock Daughter F 9 Illinois
Grace died on November 22, 1930 and her mortal remains were laid in the Secor Cemetery in Secor, Woodford County, Illinois.
5. William Wilson, born c. 1858/59 in Illinois. William is believed to have died before the 1870 census was taken.
6. Lucinda E. "Lucy" Wilson, born November 6, 1860 in Woodford County, Illinois; married to __________ Williamson on __________ __, 18__; Lucy died on March 17, 1915; buried in the Secor Cemetery.
7. Allen Wilson, born c. 1867 in Illinois. Listed as Allin N. Wilson in his father's obituary in 1909, Allin was listed as living in Rockville, Missouri. At the time of the 1910 census, Allen M. Wilson is found residing in Ward 5 of the city of Nevada, Vernon County, Missouri. He was born c. 1867/68 in Illinois and his parents were both born in Ohio, all of which fit;
Allen M Wilson Head M 42 Illinois
Maggie Wilson Wife F 38 Iowa
Allen M. Wilson was born on 21 Dec 1867, died on 24 Sep 1934 and his mortal remains were laid in the Valhalla Cemetery in Bel-Nor, St. Louis County, Missouri. See his Find A Grave Memorial #186525360. It appears that he and Margaret had no children.
8. Nancy Margaret Wilson, born January 12, 1870 in Woodford County, Illinois; married to __________ Armstrong on December 17, 1917: married possibly before that to __________ Patterson; Nancy died on December 19, 1958; buried in the Secor Cemetery.
9. Henry Wilson, born on __________ __, 1871 in Woodford County, Illinois; died on __________ __, 1880 in Woodford County, Illinois; buried in the Secor Cemetery.
10. Alice E. Wilson, born 29 Nov 1874 in Illinois. Alice was married to Norwood P. Nofsinger in the early 1890's. One son was born to them;
A. Glenn Norwood Nofsinger, born 26 Sep 1894 in Secor, Woodford County, Illinois. Glenn died on 4 Oct 1975 in Pontiac, Livingston County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Pontiac, Livingston County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial #42882882.
Alice E. (Wilson) Nofsinger died on 4 Oct 1894, nine days after her son was born, from complications from child birth. Her mortal remains were laid in the Secor Cemetery in Secor, Woodford County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial #21666138.
11. Frank Wilson, born __________ __, 1877 in Woodford County, Illinois; died on __________ __, 1881 in Woodford County, Illinois; buried in the Secor Cemetery.
12. (Son) ____________ Wilson,
13. (Son) ____________ Wilson,
14. (Son) ____________ Wilson,
15. (Daughter) ____________ Wilson,
At the time of the 1860 census, Amos and his family are found in Olio Township in Woodford County, Ilinois;
Amos K Wilson, age 28, birth: c. 1832 Ky
Eliza Wilson, age 26, birth: c. 1834 Ohio
John Wilson, age 8, birth c. 1852 Ohio
Elizabeth Wilson, age 5, birth c. 1855 Ohio
Larkin Wilson, age 4, birth c. 1856 Ohio
Grace A Wilson, age 3, birth: c. 1857 Ill
William Wilson, age 1, birth: c. 1859 Ill
On August 7, 1862, Amos Q. Wilson volunteered to service in a company which was being raised in the Eureka and El Paso, Illinois area of Woodford County by William S. Magarity, who had been the first man elected to serve as Woodford County Sheriff in the 1840's.
ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES
Illinois Civil War Detail Report
Name WILSON, A Q Rank SGT
Company A Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence OLIO, WOODFORD CO, IL
Age 32 Height 5' 8 1/2
Hair BLACK Eyes HAZEL
Complexion DARK Marital Status MARRIED
Occupation FARMER
Nativity CHILICOTHE, HIGHLAND CO, OH
Service Record
Joined When AUG 7, 1862
Joined Where OLIO, IL
Joined By Whom CPT MAGARITY
Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862
Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom
Muster Out
Muster Out Where
Muster Out By Whom
Remarks DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY JAN 20, 1863 AT GALLATIN, TENNESSEE
When Magarity had about 100 volunteers, he took his company across the Illinois River to Peoria, Illinois where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. On August 27, 1862, 96 men of the Woodford County company were mustered into service as Co. A of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Magarity was elected Captain of Co. A. Amos Q. Wilson was selected by the men of Co. A to serve as their 4th Sergeant.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th marched out of the gates Camp Lyon through the streets of Peoria down to the railroad station. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. At the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt, in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which was located on the Ohio River across from Louisville. After several weeks of drilling, the men of the 85th & 86th were assigned to a Brigade being commanded by General Daniel McCook and placed in the an army commanded by Union General Buell. They were sent into Kentucky to chase down the last Confederate troops in Kentucky, who were commanded by Confederate General Bragg.
On October of 1862, Buell's army caught up with Bragg's army and on Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCooks Brigade participated in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, a Union victory, which helped to drive the Confederate troops out of Kentucky. After the Battle of Perryville, the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee where they began a long period of garrison duty.
During the fall of 1862 and the winter of 1862/63, the new way of life for these green troops was hard on their health. The diet and living conditions were not conducive to good health and the hospitals were full to overflowing in Nashville. Today the National Cemetery in Nashville is the burying ground for hundreds, if not thousands, of Union soldiers who died during that first winter in Nashville.
Even before the men had left the Louisville, Kentucky area for Perryville, the men were having difficulty with their health. When the men of McCook's Brigade left Louisville, many men were left behind sick in the hospitals in Louisville. After the Battle of Berryville, the men of McCook's Brigade passed through Bowling Green, Kentucky and then Gallatin, Tennessee. At both of these cities, the men of McCook's Brigade stopped to rest a few days before continuing the march toward Nashville. When they picked up the march, sick soldiers were left behind in the hospitals of both of these cities. One of the soldiers known to have been having a tough time with his health during this time and who was left behind sick in the hospital at Gallatin, Tennessee was Sergeant Amos Q. Wilson.
Whatever his ailment, nothing the doctors did seemed to help Sergeant Wilson's condition. Finally in January of 1863, the doctors made the decision that the best thing they could do for Sergeant Wilson was to discharge him and send him home in hopes that with the help of family and some home cooking, he could regain his health. So, on January 20, 1863, Sergeant Amos Q. Wilson was discharged from the service on account of disability and sent home.
Once back home, with the help of family and that home cooking, Amos Q. Wilson survived his ailment.
Amos Q. Wilson became a Minister of the Gospel and worked in the Secor Church of Christ for many years. In 1862 the Church of Christ erected the building which is now called the Christian Church. In 1898 part of this organization withdrew and built the present Church of Christ. James Robeson, usually called "Uncle Jimmy" was one of the early pioneers of this church. Uncle Jimmy served many church congregations and helped build many churches in this area. A. Q. Wilson, a Civil War veteran, and the father of Mrs. William Armstrong, was another pioneer minister who worked in the church here. D. R. Meek and A. Q. Wilson were elders of the church for many years. Other elders who served were E. L. Patterson, Frank Wilson, James Carter, Henry Armstrong, all deceased, and Dalton Miller now living at Astoria, Illinois."
At the time of the 1870 census, this Wilson family is found in Woodford County, Illinois;
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Amos Wilson M 40y Ohio
Eliza Wilson F 36y Ohio
Sarah Wilson F 16y Ohio
Larken Wilson M 14y Ohio
Grace Wilson F 12y Illinois
Lucinda Wilson F 10y Illinois
Allen Wilson M 3y Illinois
Nancy Wilson F 6m Illinois
At the time of the 1880 census, the Wilson family is found in Secor, Woodford County, Illinois;
Amous Wilson, occupation: Carpenter, father's birthplace: Ohio; mother's birthplace: Kentucky
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Amous Wilson M 49 Ohio
E. E. Wilson F 46 Ohio
Lucy Wilson F 19 Illinois
Alven Wilson M 12 Illinois
Maggie Wilson F 10 Illinois
Henry Wilson M 8 Illinois
Allice Wilson F 5 Illinois
Frank Wilson M 3 Illinois
At the time of the 1900 census, Amos and Eliza are found in the village of Secor, Palestine Township, Woodford County, Illinois. They have been married for 48 years and she is listed as having had 15 children, only 6 of whom are living in 1900;
A. Q. Wilson Head Male Jun 1830 70 Ohio
Eliza E Wilson Wife Female Jan 1834 66 Ohio
Larkin G Wilson Son Male 44 Ohio
Glenn Nofringer Grandson Male 6 Illinois
Amos Q. Wilson died on May 30, 1909 at __________, Illinois. Eliza E. Gresling died on ___________ __, 1919 at ___________, Illinois. Their mortal remains were laid to rest in the Secor Cemetery in Secor, Illinois.
by Baxter B. Fite III
(Baxter would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Wilson family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Amos Q. Wilson and the Wilson family. Baxter would also love to see copies of any photographs of Amos Q. Wilson that may have survived the years, added to his Find A Grave site for all to see.)
(NOTE: Amos Q. Wilson probably never had his portrait taken prior to the Civil War and during his short time in service, he spent much of his time sick in the hospitals and never made it to Nashville, Tennessee, where most of the photographs of the veterans of the 86th were taken. However, Amos survived his ailment and lived well into the 20th century. During his life, Amos probably had his picture taken dozens of times, if not hundreds of times. I would dearly love to see some pictures of Amos as a younger man, however, at this point, I would be thrilled just to see some pictures of him, even ones of him as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Sergeant AMOS Q. WILSON, Co. A, 86th Illinois
Amos Q. Wilson was born on June 12, 1830 in Highland County, Ohio, possibly near Chillicothe, Ohio, but Chillicothe, Ohio is not in Highland County as is inferred at the time he enlisted. Amos Q. Wilson was likely a grandson of Amos Wilson, who is found as head-of-houshold in Brush Creek Township, Highland County, Ohio at the time of the 1830 census. At that time, Amos Wilson is in his 50's, having been born in the 1770's. Amos is known to have had at least two sons, Alexander and Jacob L., who were both in the 1820's indentured to a wagonmaker named Archibald Brown, to learn the art of wagonmaking.
In the early 1800's the Wilsons came to an area of Highland County, Ohio that in 1810 would be divided off to become Clinton County, Ohio. A Clinton County history contains the following stories of the Wilson family;
"Regarding Amos Wilson, the following is in the language of Judge Haglan: "Amos Wilson, from whom Wilson Township, Clinton County, was named, was one of three sons of John Wilson, a member of the first constitutional convention of Ohio, who was the son of John Wilson, an Irishman. Amos Wilson and his father before him, and several of his brothers and sisters were born in New Jersey. From that State his father removed with his family to the Redstone country in Pennsylvania, and from there to Washington County, Ky. He lived for several years in Washington and Greene Counties. His nest removal was to Mill Crook, in Hamilton County, Ohio, near Cincinnati. John Wilson, named for his grandfather, born December 29, 1786, informed the writer, on March 13, 1876, that his grandfather, after he sold his possessions in Kentucky, supposing that he would get his money in silver, took his grandson, then nine years of acre, on a separate horse to Lexington, to bring the money home. He, however, was not paid cash as he expected, but was given a draft on Cincinnati, on which he received his payments when they arrived there. This was in 1795.In 1796, John Wilson, with his family, and his sons and their families, left Kentucky and came to Cincinnati. That year, the party raised a crop on Mill Creek. In the spring of that year, George and Amos went to Middle Run, in what is now Greene County, Ohio, and cleared a few acres of land,, on part of which hemp was sown, and on the residue corn was planted. No fence was put up around the little clearing. The corn made a good crop; the deer took a part of it, but the squirrels seemed shy of it, as if doubtful of its fitness for food. These young men returned to Mill Creek and remained until fall, when each mounted on a horse and returned to their newly opened farm to secure their crops. One night, three Indians came and stole their horses. n discovery of their loss, the Wilsons, each armed with a rifle, started in pursuit. hey traced the Indians by a devious and circuitous way, taken evidently to avoid pursuit, to the old site of the famous town of Chillicothe, on the Little Miami, north of where the town of Xenia now is. ere the Indians, three in number, and all armed, were found encamped for the night. he pursuing party had, up to this time, supposed that there were only two Indians, with no advantage in number on either side; but here were three to two. The Indians watched their adversaries closely, and were constantly ready for action if a fight should be brought on. The Wilsons were not less vigilant, and were ready, but by no means courting a combat. The Indians, after a time, offered them something to eat. This, however, was the only friendly act performed by either side. Sleep on neither side was taken. It is believed that neither party even nodded. At last the light of morning came, and the white men mounted their horses and rode rapidly away without molestation."
It continued, "In the spring of 1797, John Wilson commenced a settlement on Middle Run. His improvement was immediately upon the road now leading from Waynesville to the town of Centerville, in Montgomery County, Ohio. His first dwelling, a rude structure, of course, has disappeared, but near its site the house long his residence still stands. It is situate on the south side of the road, and is in Greene County, though bat a short distance from the line dividing the counties of Greene and Warren. The Wilsons came to Cincinnati in 1796, from Kentucky; 1797, they cropped on Mill Creek, near Cincinnati; 1797, George and Amos, sons of John Wilson, raised a small crop of corn and hemp on Middle Run, Greene County; 1797, George and John came tip from :Mill Creek to look after their crops, and had their horses stolen by the Indians; in 1797, John Wilson, in the fall of the year, moved to Middle Run, in Greene County. In 1799, a Baptist Church was organized at Middle Run. About 1803, Amos Wilson began to preach in the Baptist Church."
It still continued, "It is claimed by some (atlas history, of Clinton County, p. 11) that the first permanent settlement in Clinton County was made by Amos Wilson and James Mills, in what is now Wilson Township. in 1799. They were brothers-in-law, and came to the county together, but it seems to be clearly established that their settlement was not earlier than the fall of 1801 and possibly not until the spring of 1802. Amos Wilson, up to 1801, was living upon a preempted right about three miles northwest of where Waynesville now is. This pre-emption right he exchanged with the Rev. Joshua Carman (we find this name also spelled Carmen), well known to many of our citizens, for 100 acres of land in the eastern quarter of the county. Mr. Carman was, at the time of the exchange, living in the State of Kentucky, near Louisville, and had come out into the Miami country on an exploring expedition. Having secured Mr. Wilson's claim, he returned to Kentucky for his family, and, in the fall of the same year, brought them out to the Waynesville neighborhood. On his arrival, Mr. Wilson vacated the house on the pre-emption, and Mr. Carman entered into possession. Whether Mr. Wilson at once came up to settle on 'he land he had thus acquired, or not until the following spring, has not been ascertained with certainty.
"That Timothy Bennet made his settlement as early as March, 1801, is clearly established, and we have the best authority for believing that Morgan Van Meter had made his settlement where Snow Hill now is at least two, and perhaps three, years previous. Mr. Wilson was married four times His first wife was Ann Mills, to whom he was married on the 22d day of June, 1791. In March, 1807, Mrs. Wilson died, and September 27,1807, he married Rachel James, with whom he lived until her death, in May, 1818. On the 12th day of July, 1818, he was married to Mary Coulter, who died in 1839. Mr. Wilson was married the last time in 1843, to Elizabeth Dowden, who survived him twenty years."
It continued, "From data since obtained, it is evident that Judge Harlan was misled as to the actual time of Mr. Wilson's settlement in his county. The latter's son, Amos Wilson, Jr., furnishes information, which is confirmed by a record in the old family Bible, to the effect that Amos Wilson, Sr., located in Clinton County in 1799. The circumstances were these. He purchased 200 (instead of 100) acres in the northeast corner of W. Taylor's survey, in what is now Wilson Township, and, in order to find it, was directed to go to the locality of the Deserted Camp, and follow the survey line due northeast from there until he should cross Anderson's Fork and Anderson's Prairie, and reach the ridge land, or white oak land, beyond. He followed these directions, and, supposing he had reached his own land, at once began improving it. After two years' labor at this spot, he found that he was upon what is known as the Hinkson farm, in the R. Eggleston survey, No. 886, and, moving south to the adjoining farm, began anew to improve. A year was spent here, when he was chagrined to learn that again he was on the wrong land, it being in W. Lindsay's survey, No. 732, on what is now known as the Reed farm. Being now discouraged, and having wasted three years in improving land not his own, he avowed his determination to return to the older settlements; but Joshua Carman, from whom he had purchased the land, came along and showed him his own, and, to partially compensate him for his pains and induce him to stay, donated to him a strip containing fifty acres, lying on the west side of the original 200 acres. At this time, which was in the early spring of 1802, Mr. Carman was accompanied by Mr. Wilson's brother-in-law, James Mills, who had purchased a farm immediately south of Wilson's, in the same survey. These two men proceeded at once to erect log cabins on their farms, and both structures were raised on the same day. The families occupied them, and on these farms lived Amos Wilson and James Mills until their death. In 1827, Mr. Wilson erected on his place the first brick house in the northeastern part of the county. Of the family of Mr. Wilson, not a representative is now left in the county. The Mills farm is still owned by the descendants of the man who made the first improvements upon it in the spring of 1802."
According to his obituary, when Amos Q. Wilson was quite young, his parents took the family, leaving Highland County, Ohio and moved to Kentucky, Amos remained until he was 17 years of age. About 1847, Amos Q. Wilson returned to Ohio, settling in Brown County, Ohio, where he learned the Carpenter trade.
Amos Q. Wilson was married on 5 Aug 1852 in Brown County, Ohio to Eliza E. Geeslin. Eliza was born in 1834 in Ohio, the daughter of Larkin Geeslin. At the time of the 1850 census, Eliza and her family are found in Byrd Township, Brown County, Ohio. It appears that her father has died by this time;
Elizabeth Geeslin F 45 Pennsylvania
Sarah I Geeslin F 21 Ohio
John Geeslin M 19 Ohio
Eliza Geeslin F 16 Ohio
Ackless Geeslin M 12 Ohio
Amos and Eliza remained in Brown County, Ohio until about 1856/57 when they moved west to Illinois, where they settled in Woodford County, Illinois.
Fifteen children were born to Amos and Eliza, many dying young. Following is a list of the children known to have been born to Amos and Eliza. There were several more;
1. John Wilson, born c. 1851/52 in Ohio. John Wilson may have died by the time the 1870 census was taken.
2. Elizabeth Wilson, born c. 1854/55 in Ohio. Elizabeth may have died by the time the 1870 census was taken.
3. Larkin G. Wilson, born March 18, 1856 in Ohio. The Prairie District Library in Woodford County has the obituary for Larkin G. Wilson being born on 18 Mar 1846 and dying on 1 Oct 1934, which appeared in an 5 Oct 1934 edition of a local newspaper. Larkin is found living with his parents in the 1860 and 1870 census records of Woodford County, Illinois. Larkin is believed never to have been married. In the 1930 census, he is still recorded as single. Larkin G. Wilson's mortal remains were laid to rest in the Secor Cemetery.
4. Grace Ann Wilson, born October 19, 1857 in Illinois. Grace was married to Mathias Rock on __________ __, 18__. Mathias Rock was born on ____________ __, 1850 and died on ____________ __, 1896.
Four children were born to Grace and Mathias, including;
A. Willis Rock, born c. 1880/81 in Illinois.
B. Eliza A. Rock, born c. 1890/91 in Illinois.
At the time of the 1900 census, Grace, who is widowed, and her family are found in the village of Secor, Palestine Township, Woodford County, Illinois. Grace is listed as having had four children, only three of whom are still living at that time;
Grace Rock Head F 43 Illinois
Willis Rock Son M 19 Illinois
Eliza A Rock Daughter F 9 Illinois
Grace died on November 22, 1930 and her mortal remains were laid in the Secor Cemetery in Secor, Woodford County, Illinois.
5. William Wilson, born c. 1858/59 in Illinois. William is believed to have died before the 1870 census was taken.
6. Lucinda E. "Lucy" Wilson, born November 6, 1860 in Woodford County, Illinois; married to __________ Williamson on __________ __, 18__; Lucy died on March 17, 1915; buried in the Secor Cemetery.
7. Allen Wilson, born c. 1867 in Illinois. Listed as Allin N. Wilson in his father's obituary in 1909, Allin was listed as living in Rockville, Missouri. At the time of the 1910 census, Allen M. Wilson is found residing in Ward 5 of the city of Nevada, Vernon County, Missouri. He was born c. 1867/68 in Illinois and his parents were both born in Ohio, all of which fit;
Allen M Wilson Head M 42 Illinois
Maggie Wilson Wife F 38 Iowa
Allen M. Wilson was born on 21 Dec 1867, died on 24 Sep 1934 and his mortal remains were laid in the Valhalla Cemetery in Bel-Nor, St. Louis County, Missouri. See his Find A Grave Memorial #186525360. It appears that he and Margaret had no children.
8. Nancy Margaret Wilson, born January 12, 1870 in Woodford County, Illinois; married to __________ Armstrong on December 17, 1917: married possibly before that to __________ Patterson; Nancy died on December 19, 1958; buried in the Secor Cemetery.
9. Henry Wilson, born on __________ __, 1871 in Woodford County, Illinois; died on __________ __, 1880 in Woodford County, Illinois; buried in the Secor Cemetery.
10. Alice E. Wilson, born 29 Nov 1874 in Illinois. Alice was married to Norwood P. Nofsinger in the early 1890's. One son was born to them;
A. Glenn Norwood Nofsinger, born 26 Sep 1894 in Secor, Woodford County, Illinois. Glenn died on 4 Oct 1975 in Pontiac, Livingston County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Pontiac, Livingston County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial #42882882.
Alice E. (Wilson) Nofsinger died on 4 Oct 1894, nine days after her son was born, from complications from child birth. Her mortal remains were laid in the Secor Cemetery in Secor, Woodford County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial #21666138.
11. Frank Wilson, born __________ __, 1877 in Woodford County, Illinois; died on __________ __, 1881 in Woodford County, Illinois; buried in the Secor Cemetery.
12. (Son) ____________ Wilson,
13. (Son) ____________ Wilson,
14. (Son) ____________ Wilson,
15. (Daughter) ____________ Wilson,
At the time of the 1860 census, Amos and his family are found in Olio Township in Woodford County, Ilinois;
Amos K Wilson, age 28, birth: c. 1832 Ky
Eliza Wilson, age 26, birth: c. 1834 Ohio
John Wilson, age 8, birth c. 1852 Ohio
Elizabeth Wilson, age 5, birth c. 1855 Ohio
Larkin Wilson, age 4, birth c. 1856 Ohio
Grace A Wilson, age 3, birth: c. 1857 Ill
William Wilson, age 1, birth: c. 1859 Ill
On August 7, 1862, Amos Q. Wilson volunteered to service in a company which was being raised in the Eureka and El Paso, Illinois area of Woodford County by William S. Magarity, who had been the first man elected to serve as Woodford County Sheriff in the 1840's.
ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES
Illinois Civil War Detail Report
Name WILSON, A Q Rank SGT
Company A Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence OLIO, WOODFORD CO, IL
Age 32 Height 5' 8 1/2
Hair BLACK Eyes HAZEL
Complexion DARK Marital Status MARRIED
Occupation FARMER
Nativity CHILICOTHE, HIGHLAND CO, OH
Service Record
Joined When AUG 7, 1862
Joined Where OLIO, IL
Joined By Whom CPT MAGARITY
Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862
Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom
Muster Out
Muster Out Where
Muster Out By Whom
Remarks DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY JAN 20, 1863 AT GALLATIN, TENNESSEE
When Magarity had about 100 volunteers, he took his company across the Illinois River to Peoria, Illinois where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. On August 27, 1862, 96 men of the Woodford County company were mustered into service as Co. A of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Magarity was elected Captain of Co. A. Amos Q. Wilson was selected by the men of Co. A to serve as their 4th Sergeant.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th marched out of the gates Camp Lyon through the streets of Peoria down to the railroad station. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. At the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt, in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which was located on the Ohio River across from Louisville. After several weeks of drilling, the men of the 85th & 86th were assigned to a Brigade being commanded by General Daniel McCook and placed in the an army commanded by Union General Buell. They were sent into Kentucky to chase down the last Confederate troops in Kentucky, who were commanded by Confederate General Bragg.
On October of 1862, Buell's army caught up with Bragg's army and on Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCooks Brigade participated in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, a Union victory, which helped to drive the Confederate troops out of Kentucky. After the Battle of Perryville, the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee where they began a long period of garrison duty.
During the fall of 1862 and the winter of 1862/63, the new way of life for these green troops was hard on their health. The diet and living conditions were not conducive to good health and the hospitals were full to overflowing in Nashville. Today the National Cemetery in Nashville is the burying ground for hundreds, if not thousands, of Union soldiers who died during that first winter in Nashville.
Even before the men had left the Louisville, Kentucky area for Perryville, the men were having difficulty with their health. When the men of McCook's Brigade left Louisville, many men were left behind sick in the hospitals in Louisville. After the Battle of Berryville, the men of McCook's Brigade passed through Bowling Green, Kentucky and then Gallatin, Tennessee. At both of these cities, the men of McCook's Brigade stopped to rest a few days before continuing the march toward Nashville. When they picked up the march, sick soldiers were left behind in the hospitals of both of these cities. One of the soldiers known to have been having a tough time with his health during this time and who was left behind sick in the hospital at Gallatin, Tennessee was Sergeant Amos Q. Wilson.
Whatever his ailment, nothing the doctors did seemed to help Sergeant Wilson's condition. Finally in January of 1863, the doctors made the decision that the best thing they could do for Sergeant Wilson was to discharge him and send him home in hopes that with the help of family and some home cooking, he could regain his health. So, on January 20, 1863, Sergeant Amos Q. Wilson was discharged from the service on account of disability and sent home.
Once back home, with the help of family and that home cooking, Amos Q. Wilson survived his ailment.
Amos Q. Wilson became a Minister of the Gospel and worked in the Secor Church of Christ for many years. In 1862 the Church of Christ erected the building which is now called the Christian Church. In 1898 part of this organization withdrew and built the present Church of Christ. James Robeson, usually called "Uncle Jimmy" was one of the early pioneers of this church. Uncle Jimmy served many church congregations and helped build many churches in this area. A. Q. Wilson, a Civil War veteran, and the father of Mrs. William Armstrong, was another pioneer minister who worked in the church here. D. R. Meek and A. Q. Wilson were elders of the church for many years. Other elders who served were E. L. Patterson, Frank Wilson, James Carter, Henry Armstrong, all deceased, and Dalton Miller now living at Astoria, Illinois."
At the time of the 1870 census, this Wilson family is found in Woodford County, Illinois;
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Amos Wilson M 40y Ohio
Eliza Wilson F 36y Ohio
Sarah Wilson F 16y Ohio
Larken Wilson M 14y Ohio
Grace Wilson F 12y Illinois
Lucinda Wilson F 10y Illinois
Allen Wilson M 3y Illinois
Nancy Wilson F 6m Illinois
At the time of the 1880 census, the Wilson family is found in Secor, Woodford County, Illinois;
Amous Wilson, occupation: Carpenter, father's birthplace: Ohio; mother's birthplace: Kentucky
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Amous Wilson M 49 Ohio
E. E. Wilson F 46 Ohio
Lucy Wilson F 19 Illinois
Alven Wilson M 12 Illinois
Maggie Wilson F 10 Illinois
Henry Wilson M 8 Illinois
Allice Wilson F 5 Illinois
Frank Wilson M 3 Illinois
At the time of the 1900 census, Amos and Eliza are found in the village of Secor, Palestine Township, Woodford County, Illinois. They have been married for 48 years and she is listed as having had 15 children, only 6 of whom are living in 1900;
A. Q. Wilson Head Male Jun 1830 70 Ohio
Eliza E Wilson Wife Female Jan 1834 66 Ohio
Larkin G Wilson Son Male 44 Ohio
Glenn Nofringer Grandson Male 6 Illinois
Amos Q. Wilson died on May 30, 1909 at __________, Illinois. Eliza E. Gresling died on ___________ __, 1919 at ___________, Illinois. Their mortal remains were laid to rest in the Secor Cemetery in Secor, Illinois.
by Baxter B. Fite III
(Baxter would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Wilson family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Amos Q. Wilson and the Wilson family. Baxter would also love to see copies of any photographs of Amos Q. Wilson that may have survived the years, added to his Find A Grave site for all to see.)
Sergeant AMOS Q. WILSON, Co. A, 86th Illinois
Amos Q. Wilson was born on June 12, 1830 in Highland County, Ohio, possibly near Chillicothe, Ohio, but Chillicothe, Ohio is not in Highland County as is inferred at the time he enlisted. Amos Q. Wilson was likely a grandson of Amos Wilson, who is found as head-of-houshold in Brush Creek Township, Highland County, Ohio at the time of the 1830 census. At that time, Amos Wilson is in his 50's, having been born in the 1770's. Amos is known to have had at least two sons, Alexander and Jacob L., who were both in the 1820's indentured to a wagonmaker named Archibald Brown, to learn the art of wagonmaking.
In the early 1800's the Wilsons came to an area of Highland County, Ohio that in 1810 would be divided off to become Clinton County, Ohio. A Clinton County history contains the following stories of the Wilson family;
"Regarding Amos Wilson, the following is in the language of Judge Haglan: "Amos Wilson, from whom Wilson Township, Clinton County, was named, was one of three sons of John Wilson, a member of the first constitutional convention of Ohio, who was the son of John Wilson, an Irishman. Amos Wilson and his father before him, and several of his brothers and sisters were born in New Jersey. From that State his father removed with his family to the Redstone country in Pennsylvania, and from there to Washington County, Ky. He lived for several years in Washington and Greene Counties. His nest removal was to Mill Crook, in Hamilton County, Ohio, near Cincinnati. John Wilson, named for his grandfather, born December 29, 1786, informed the writer, on March 13, 1876, that his grandfather, after he sold his possessions in Kentucky, supposing that he would get his money in silver, took his grandson, then nine years of acre, on a separate horse to Lexington, to bring the money home. He, however, was not paid cash as he expected, but was given a draft on Cincinnati, on which he received his payments when they arrived there. This was in 1795.In 1796, John Wilson, with his family, and his sons and their families, left Kentucky and came to Cincinnati. That year, the party raised a crop on Mill Creek. In the spring of that year, George and Amos went to Middle Run, in what is now Greene County, Ohio, and cleared a few acres of land,, on part of which hemp was sown, and on the residue corn was planted. No fence was put up around the little clearing. The corn made a good crop; the deer took a part of it, but the squirrels seemed shy of it, as if doubtful of its fitness for food. These young men returned to Mill Creek and remained until fall, when each mounted on a horse and returned to their newly opened farm to secure their crops. One night, three Indians came and stole their horses. n discovery of their loss, the Wilsons, each armed with a rifle, started in pursuit. hey traced the Indians by a devious and circuitous way, taken evidently to avoid pursuit, to the old site of the famous town of Chillicothe, on the Little Miami, north of where the town of Xenia now is. ere the Indians, three in number, and all armed, were found encamped for the night. he pursuing party had, up to this time, supposed that there were only two Indians, with no advantage in number on either side; but here were three to two. The Indians watched their adversaries closely, and were constantly ready for action if a fight should be brought on. The Wilsons were not less vigilant, and were ready, but by no means courting a combat. The Indians, after a time, offered them something to eat. This, however, was the only friendly act performed by either side. Sleep on neither side was taken. It is believed that neither party even nodded. At last the light of morning came, and the white men mounted their horses and rode rapidly away without molestation."
It continued, "In the spring of 1797, John Wilson commenced a settlement on Middle Run. His improvement was immediately upon the road now leading from Waynesville to the town of Centerville, in Montgomery County, Ohio. His first dwelling, a rude structure, of course, has disappeared, but near its site the house long his residence still stands. It is situate on the south side of the road, and is in Greene County, though bat a short distance from the line dividing the counties of Greene and Warren. The Wilsons came to Cincinnati in 1796, from Kentucky; 1797, they cropped on Mill Creek, near Cincinnati; 1797, George and Amos, sons of John Wilson, raised a small crop of corn and hemp on Middle Run, Greene County; 1797, George and John came tip from :Mill Creek to look after their crops, and had their horses stolen by the Indians; in 1797, John Wilson, in the fall of the year, moved to Middle Run, in Greene County. In 1799, a Baptist Church was organized at Middle Run. About 1803, Amos Wilson began to preach in the Baptist Church."
It still continued, "It is claimed by some (atlas history, of Clinton County, p. 11) that the first permanent settlement in Clinton County was made by Amos Wilson and James Mills, in what is now Wilson Township. in 1799. They were brothers-in-law, and came to the county together, but it seems to be clearly established that their settlement was not earlier than the fall of 1801 and possibly not until the spring of 1802. Amos Wilson, up to 1801, was living upon a preempted right about three miles northwest of where Waynesville now is. This pre-emption right he exchanged with the Rev. Joshua Carman (we find this name also spelled Carmen), well known to many of our citizens, for 100 acres of land in the eastern quarter of the county. Mr. Carman was, at the time of the exchange, living in the State of Kentucky, near Louisville, and had come out into the Miami country on an exploring expedition. Having secured Mr. Wilson's claim, he returned to Kentucky for his family, and, in the fall of the same year, brought them out to the Waynesville neighborhood. On his arrival, Mr. Wilson vacated the house on the pre-emption, and Mr. Carman entered into possession. Whether Mr. Wilson at once came up to settle on 'he land he had thus acquired, or not until the following spring, has not been ascertained with certainty.
"That Timothy Bennet made his settlement as early as March, 1801, is clearly established, and we have the best authority for believing that Morgan Van Meter had made his settlement where Snow Hill now is at least two, and perhaps three, years previous. Mr. Wilson was married four times His first wife was Ann Mills, to whom he was married on the 22d day of June, 1791. In March, 1807, Mrs. Wilson died, and September 27,1807, he married Rachel James, with whom he lived until her death, in May, 1818. On the 12th day of July, 1818, he was married to Mary Coulter, who died in 1839. Mr. Wilson was married the last time in 1843, to Elizabeth Dowden, who survived him twenty years."
It continued, "From data since obtained, it is evident that Judge Harlan was misled as to the actual time of Mr. Wilson's settlement in his county. The latter's son, Amos Wilson, Jr., furnishes information, which is confirmed by a record in the old family Bible, to the effect that Amos Wilson, Sr., located in Clinton County in 1799. The circumstances were these. He purchased 200 (instead of 100) acres in the northeast corner of W. Taylor's survey, in what is now Wilson Township, and, in order to find it, was directed to go to the locality of the Deserted Camp, and follow the survey line due northeast from there until he should cross Anderson's Fork and Anderson's Prairie, and reach the ridge land, or white oak land, beyond. He followed these directions, and, supposing he had reached his own land, at once began improving it. After two years' labor at this spot, he found that he was upon what is known as the Hinkson farm, in the R. Eggleston survey, No. 886, and, moving south to the adjoining farm, began anew to improve. A year was spent here, when he was chagrined to learn that again he was on the wrong land, it being in W. Lindsay's survey, No. 732, on what is now known as the Reed farm. Being now discouraged, and having wasted three years in improving land not his own, he avowed his determination to return to the older settlements; but Joshua Carman, from whom he had purchased the land, came along and showed him his own, and, to partially compensate him for his pains and induce him to stay, donated to him a strip containing fifty acres, lying on the west side of the original 200 acres. At this time, which was in the early spring of 1802, Mr. Carman was accompanied by Mr. Wilson's brother-in-law, James Mills, who had purchased a farm immediately south of Wilson's, in the same survey. These two men proceeded at once to erect log cabins on their farms, and both structures were raised on the same day. The families occupied them, and on these farms lived Amos Wilson and James Mills until their death. In 1827, Mr. Wilson erected on his place the first brick house in the northeastern part of the county. Of the family of Mr. Wilson, not a representative is now left in the county. The Mills farm is still owned by the descendants of the man who made the first improvements upon it in the spring of 1802."
According to his obituary, when Amos Q. Wilson was quite young, his parents took the family, leaving Highland County, Ohio and moved to Kentucky, Amos remained until he was 17 years of age. About 1847, Amos Q. Wilson returned to Ohio, settling in Brown County, Ohio, where he learned the Carpenter trade.
Amos Q. Wilson was married on 5 Aug 1852 in Brown County, Ohio to Eliza E. Geeslin. Eliza was born in 1834 in Ohio, the daughter of Larkin Geeslin. At the time of the 1850 census, Eliza and her family are found in Byrd Township, Brown County, Ohio. It appears that her father has died by this time;
Elizabeth Geeslin F 45 Pennsylvania
Sarah I Geeslin F 21 Ohio
John Geeslin M 19 Ohio
Eliza Geeslin F 16 Ohio
Ackless Geeslin M 12 Ohio
Amos and Eliza remained in Brown County, Ohio until about 1856/57 when they moved west to Illinois, where they settled in Woodford County, Illinois.
Fifteen children were born to Amos and Eliza, many dying young. Following is a list of the children known to have been born to Amos and Eliza. There were several more;
1. John Wilson, born c. 1851/52 in Ohio. John Wilson may have died by the time the 1870 census was taken.
2. Elizabeth Wilson, born c. 1854/55 in Ohio. Elizabeth may have died by the time the 1870 census was taken.
3. Larkin G. Wilson, born March 18, 1856 in Ohio. The Prairie District Library in Woodford County has the obituary for Larkin G. Wilson being born on 18 Mar 1846 and dying on 1 Oct 1934, which appeared in an 5 Oct 1934 edition of a local newspaper. Larkin is found living with his parents in the 1860 and 1870 census records of Woodford County, Illinois. Larkin is believed never to have been married. In the 1930 census, he is still recorded as single. Larkin G. Wilson's mortal remains were laid to rest in the Secor Cemetery.
4. Grace Ann Wilson, born October 19, 1857 in Illinois. Grace was married to Mathias Rock on __________ __, 18__. Mathias Rock was born on ____________ __, 1850 and died on ____________ __, 1896.
Four children were born to Grace and Mathias, including;
A. Willis Rock, born c. 1880/81 in Illinois.
B. Eliza A. Rock, born c. 1890/91 in Illinois.
At the time of the 1900 census, Grace, who is widowed, and her family are found in the village of Secor, Palestine Township, Woodford County, Illinois. Grace is listed as having had four children, only three of whom are still living at that time;
Grace Rock Head F 43 Illinois
Willis Rock Son M 19 Illinois
Eliza A Rock Daughter F 9 Illinois
Grace died on November 22, 1930 and her mortal remains were laid in the Secor Cemetery in Secor, Woodford County, Illinois.
5. William Wilson, born c. 1858/59 in Illinois. William is believed to have died before the 1870 census was taken.
6. Lucinda E. "Lucy" Wilson, born November 6, 1860 in Woodford County, Illinois; married to __________ Williamson on __________ __, 18__; Lucy died on March 17, 1915; buried in the Secor Cemetery.
7. Allen Wilson, born c. 1867 in Illinois. Listed as Allin N. Wilson in his father's obituary in 1909, Allin was listed as living in Rockville, Missouri. At the time of the 1910 census, Allen M. Wilson is found residing in Ward 5 of the city of Nevada, Vernon County, Missouri. He was born c. 1867/68 in Illinois and his parents were both born in Ohio, all of which fit;
Allen M Wilson Head M 42 Illinois
Maggie Wilson Wife F 38 Iowa
Allen M. Wilson was born on 21 Dec 1867, died on 24 Sep 1934 and his mortal remains were laid in the Valhalla Cemetery in Bel-Nor, St. Louis County, Missouri. See his Find A Grave Memorial #186525360. It appears that he and Margaret had no children.
8. Nancy Margaret Wilson, born January 12, 1870 in Woodford County, Illinois; married to __________ Armstrong on December 17, 1917: married possibly before that to __________ Patterson; Nancy died on December 19, 1958; buried in the Secor Cemetery.
9. Henry Wilson, born on __________ __, 1871 in Woodford County, Illinois; died on __________ __, 1880 in Woodford County, Illinois; buried in the Secor Cemetery.
10. Alice E. Wilson, born 29 Nov 1874 in Illinois. Alice was married to Norwood P. Nofsinger in the early 1890's. One son was born to them;
A. Glenn Norwood Nofsinger, born 26 Sep 1894 in Secor, Woodford County, Illinois. Glenn died on 4 Oct 1975 in Pontiac, Livingston County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Pontiac, Livingston County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial #42882882.
Alice E. (Wilson) Nofsinger died on 4 Oct 1894, nine days after her son was born, from complications from child birth. Her mortal remains were laid in the Secor Cemetery in Secor, Woodford County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial #21666138.
11. Frank Wilson, born __________ __, 1877 in Woodford County, Illinois; died on __________ __, 1881 in Woodford County, Illinois; buried in the Secor Cemetery.
12. (Son) ____________ Wilson,
13. (Son) ____________ Wilson,
14. (Son) ____________ Wilson,
15. (Daughter) ____________ Wilson,
At the time of the 1860 census, Amos and his family are found in Olio Township in Woodford County, Ilinois;
Amos K Wilson, age 28, birth: c. 1832 Ky
Eliza Wilson, age 26, birth: c. 1834 Ohio
John Wilson, age 8, birth c. 1852 Ohio
Elizabeth Wilson, age 5, birth c. 1855 Ohio
Larkin Wilson, age 4, birth c. 1856 Ohio
Grace A Wilson, age 3, birth: c. 1857 Ill
William Wilson, age 1, birth: c. 1859 Ill
On August 7, 1862, Amos Q. Wilson volunteered to service in a company which was being raised in the Eureka and El Paso, Illinois area of Woodford County by William S. Magarity, who had been the first man elected to serve as Woodford County Sheriff in the 1840's.
ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES
Illinois Civil War Detail Report
Name WILSON, A Q Rank SGT
Company A Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence OLIO, WOODFORD CO, IL
Age 32 Height 5' 8 1/2
Hair BLACK Eyes HAZEL
Complexion DARK Marital Status MARRIED
Occupation FARMER
Nativity CHILICOTHE, HIGHLAND CO, OH
Service Record
Joined When AUG 7, 1862
Joined Where OLIO, IL
Joined By Whom CPT MAGARITY
Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862
Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom
Muster Out
Muster Out Where
Muster Out By Whom
Remarks DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY JAN 20, 1863 AT GALLATIN, TENNESSEE
When Magarity had about 100 volunteers, he took his company across the Illinois River to Peoria, Illinois where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. On August 27, 1862, 96 men of the Woodford County company were mustered into service as Co. A of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Magarity was elected Captain of Co. A. Amos Q. Wilson was selected by the men of Co. A to serve as their 4th Sergeant.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th marched out of the gates Camp Lyon through the streets of Peoria down to the railroad station. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. At the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt, in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which was located on the Ohio River across from Louisville. After several weeks of drilling, the men of the 85th & 86th were assigned to a Brigade being commanded by General Daniel McCook and placed in the an army commanded by Union General Buell. They were sent into Kentucky to chase down the last Confederate troops in Kentucky, who were commanded by Confederate General Bragg.
On October of 1862, Buell's army caught up with Bragg's army and on Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCooks Brigade participated in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, a Union victory, which helped to drive the Confederate troops out of Kentucky. After the Battle of Perryville, the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee where they began a long period of garrison duty.
During the fall of 1862 and the winter of 1862/63, the new way of life for these green troops was hard on their health. The diet and living conditions were not conducive to good health and the hospitals were full to overflowing in Nashville. Today the National Cemetery in Nashville is the burying ground for hundreds, if not thousands, of Union soldiers who died during that first winter in Nashville.
Even before the men had left the Louisville, Kentucky area for Perryville, the men were having difficulty with their health. When the men of McCook's Brigade left Louisville, many men were left behind sick in the hospitals in Louisville. After the Battle of Berryville, the men of McCook's Brigade passed through Bowling Green, Kentucky and then Gallatin, Tennessee. At both of these cities, the men of McCook's Brigade stopped to rest a few days before continuing the march toward Nashville. When they picked up the march, sick soldiers were left behind in the hospitals of both of these cities. One of the soldiers known to have been having a tough time with his health during this time and who was left behind sick in the hospital at Gallatin, Tennessee was Sergeant Amos Q. Wilson.
Whatever his ailment, nothing the doctors did seemed to help Sergeant Wilson's condition. Finally in January of 1863, the doctors made the decision that the best thing they could do for Sergeant Wilson was to discharge him and send him home in hopes that with the help of family and some home cooking, he could regain his health. So, on January 20, 1863, Sergeant Amos Q. Wilson was discharged from the service on account of disability and sent home.
Once back home, with the help of family and that home cooking, Amos Q. Wilson survived his ailment.
Amos Q. Wilson became a Minister of the Gospel and worked in the Secor Church of Christ for many years. In 1862 the Church of Christ erected the building which is now called the Christian Church. In 1898 part of this organization withdrew and built the present Church of Christ. James Robeson, usually called "Uncle Jimmy" was one of the early pioneers of this church. Uncle Jimmy served many church congregations and helped build many churches in this area. A. Q. Wilson, a Civil War veteran, and the father of Mrs. William Armstrong, was another pioneer minister who worked in the church here. D. R. Meek and A. Q. Wilson were elders of the church for many years. Other elders who served were E. L. Patterson, Frank Wilson, James Carter, Henry Armstrong, all deceased, and Dalton Miller now living at Astoria, Illinois."
At the time of the 1870 census, this Wilson family is found in Woodford County, Illinois;
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Amos Wilson M 40y Ohio
Eliza Wilson F 36y Ohio
Sarah Wilson F 16y Ohio
Larken Wilson M 14y Ohio
Grace Wilson F 12y Illinois
Lucinda Wilson F 10y Illinois
Allen Wilson M 3y Illinois
Nancy Wilson F 6m Illinois
At the time of the 1880 census, the Wilson family is found in Secor, Woodford County, Illinois;
Amous Wilson, occupation: Carpenter, father's birthplace: Ohio; mother's birthplace: Kentucky
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Amous Wilson M 49 Ohio
E. E. Wilson F 46 Ohio
Lucy Wilson F 19 Illinois
Alven Wilson M 12 Illinois
Maggie Wilson F 10 Illinois
Henry Wilson M 8 Illinois
Allice Wilson F 5 Illinois
Frank Wilson M 3 Illinois
At the time of the 1900 census, Amos and Eliza are found in the village of Secor, Palestine Township, Woodford County, Illinois. They have been married for 48 years and she is listed as having had 15 children, only 6 of whom are living in 1900;
A. Q. Wilson Head Male Jun 1830 70 Ohio
Eliza E Wilson Wife Female Jan 1834 66 Ohio
Larkin G Wilson Son Male 44 Ohio
Glenn Nofringer Grandson Male 6 Illinois
Amos Q. Wilson died on May 30, 1909 at __________, Illinois. Eliza E. Gresling died on ___________ __, 1919 at ___________, Illinois. Their mortal remains were laid to rest in the Secor Cemetery in Secor, Illinois.
by Baxter B. Fite III
(Baxter would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Wilson family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Amos Q. Wilson and the Wilson family. Baxter would also love to see copies of any photographs of Amos Q. Wilson that may have survived the years, added to his Find A Grave site for all to see.)
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