History of Wayne and Clay Counties Illinois 1884

page B116-117 Massillon Twp

Samuel J R Wilson Few men in Wayne Co have been more prominent for many years than than Judge Wilson. The son of Thomas M Wilson, an old pioneer, and Rachel (Fulkerson) Wilson, Samuel was born in Ohio Co. KY Sept 15, 1816. Moved with his parents to Wayne Co IL in 1822 and was married to Elvira, daughter of Enoch and Martha (Magaliard) Beach Oct 29, 1839 to whom were born Mary j (Crews) 1840.

Samuel was married again in May 1853 to Martha daughter of Rev James Crews and to them was born Martha (Jessup) and Thomas M. Martha died also and Samuel remarried to Ritter Crews the sister of Martha in 1857 and to them was born Maria C June 15, 1858 Charles B Jul 5, 1863, John W Oct 15, 1865, Retha B June 15, 1868, Robert Mar 7, 1870, Nathan E Jan 26, 1872 and Lawrence O June 13, 1876

Thomas M Sr, the son of George was born in KY Nov 14, 1791. Thomas served in the War of 1812 under Gen. Harrison, and died in Wayne Co in Apr 1855. George was born in VA, a soldier in the Revolution, an early pioneer in KY, and died in Butler Co Ky in 1835. Enoch Breach was born in NC, held a commission in the War of 1812, was the first settler in Massillion Twp Wayne Co IL and died in 1836.

Samuel's brothers were Virgil L, George L, and Curtis. His sisters were Agnes M (McLin), Elizabeth (king), Martha J (Hopper), Matilda (Harris), and Maria B (Reed). Samuel is a farmer having 200 acres of good ground.

Samuel is a lawyer , acted 4 years as county Judge, and Deptuy Sheriff for 6 years, and school trustee for 19 years. Samuel was a Leut in the Mexican War, and Captain of Company D, Fifth ILL calvery in the war of the rebellion. He assisted the the first corps of engineers that ever surveyed a railroad line across Illinois. He is a Cumberland Presbyterian, a prohibitionist, and is identified with the Republican party...

Samuel had a total of 18 children from his three wives, many of those children dieing very young buried in Wilson Cemetery

Jenet Elvira Beach - 7 children, first in 1840

Martha Crews - 2 children

Ritter Crews - 9 children, last in 1876