Sheriff William G. Wilson

Sheriff Wilson was born on August 13, 1834, and died on May 10, 1913

​Sheriff Wilson served as Sheriff of Grant County from 1887 to 1888

Sheriff William Wilson served in the 101st Regiment Company I as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Civil War. He was mustard out on June 8, 1865 and was buried in Riverside Cemetery in Gas City. Sheriff Williams also served as a Deputy Sheriff for two years starting in 1892.

William G. Wilson, cabinet-maker, of Jonesboro, is a native of Rockford County, Virginia, and dates his birth from the 13th of August 1834.  His parents, Thomas and Cassandra (Gilmer) Wilson, were born in Virginia, of Irish and English parentage, respectively.  Thomas Wilson was a farmer by occupation, and an early resident of Randolph County, Indiana, moving there about 1833 or 1834.  One year later he came to Grant County, and in 1835 entered 160 acres of land in what is now Mill Township, to which he at once moved his family.  He was an industrious man, and most exemplary citizen, and died in the year 1840, leaving a widow and four small children, the subject being the eldest.  Mrs. Wilson remained a wido for several years, but afterward married John L. Bradbury.  She died April, 1884, age seventy-six years.  William G. Wilson was left fatherless when six years of age, and from that time until his fifteenth year remained with his mother on the homeplace.  He then began working for himself at different vocations until his twentieth year, when he entered as apprentice to cabinet-maker's trade, at Marion, at which he served four years, receiving during that time his board and clothes and six moths' schooling.  After learning his trade he engaged with his employer for eighteen months, and at the end of that time came to Jonesboro, where he opened a shop and where he has since resided.  Mr. Wilson is a skillful mechanic, and has done a very good business Jonesboro, both in cabinet-making and the manufacture of shingles, the last of which he has carried on successfully for several years.  In August 1862, he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and First Indiana Infantry, with which he shared the vicissitudes of war on many battlefields, among them being Perryville, Kentucky, Volt's Hill, the thirty days' fight after Bragg and Chickamauga.  He held the commission of second lieutenant, but owing to poor health was compelled to resign after the last battle named above.  He was a gallant soldier, a conscientious officer, and had the unbounded respect of the members of his company.  He was married, October, 1857, to Miss Kezia A. Spence, of Ohio, who was born October 16, 1832.  One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson-Josephine.  Mr. Wilson is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and has filled various positions.  He is now the nominee for sheriff of Grant County.

illiam G. Wilson, cabinet-maker, of Jonesboro, is a native of Rockford County, Va., and dates his birth from the 13th of August 1834. His parents, Thomas and Cassandra (Gilmer) Wilson, were born in Virginia, of Irish and English parentage, respectively. Thomas Wilson was a farmer by occupation, and an early resident of Randolph County, Ind., moving there about 1833 or 1834. One year later he came to Grant County and in 1835 entered 160 acres of land in what is now Mill Township, to which he at once moved his family. He was an industrious man, and most exemplary citizen, the subject being the eldest. Mrs. Wilson remained a widow for several years, but afterward married John L. Bradbury. She died April 1884, aged seventy-six years. William G. Wilson was left fatherless when six years of age, and from that time until his fifteenth year, remained with his mother on the home place. He then began working for himself at different vocations until his twentieth year, when he entered as apprentice to the cabinet-maker's trade, at Marion, at which he served four years, receiving during that time his board and clothes and six month's schooling. After learning his trade he engaged with his employer for eighteen months, and at the end of that time came to Jonesboro, where he opened a shop and where he has since resided. Mr. Wilson is a skilful mechanic, and has done a very good business in Jonesboro, both in cabinet making and the manufacture of shingles, the last of which he has carried on successfully for several years. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and First Indiana Infantry, with which he shared the vicissitudes of war on many battle fields, among them being Perryville, Ky., Volt's Hill, the thirty days' fight after Bragg and Chickamauga. He held the commission of second lieutenant, but owing to poor health was compelled to resign after the last battle named above. He was a gallant soldier, a conscientious officer, and had the unbounded respect of the members of his company. He was married, October 1857, to Miss Kezia A. Spence, of Ohio, who was born October 16, 1832. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson-Josephine. Mr. Wilson is a stanch supporter of the Republican Party, and has filled various official positions. He is now the nominee for sheriff of Grant County.

Sources 25-28

Chronicle Tribune 5-11-1913

WILSON DIES OF

HEART FAILURE

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Heart Failure and the infirmirties of old age caused the death of William Gilmore Wilson, aged 79 years, at the home of his son-in-law, Dr. J. C. Knight, of Jonesboro, at 6 o’clock Saturday morning.

The deceased was one of the best known of the older residents of Grant county. He was elected sheriff of Grant county on the republican ticket in 1886 and served one term. Wilson had lived in Jonesboro more than fifty years. He had led a retired life for many years making his home with his daughter, Mrs. J. C. Knight. Half a century ago Mr. Wilson was a cabinet maker and undertaker at Jonesboro. He followed these lines many years and was called into hundreds of homes.

Mr. Wilson had an enviable war record. He served as second lieutenant of the 101st regiment, Indiana infantry, under Col. George W. Steele, now governer of the Marion branch, National Military Home. He was a charter member of G. A. R. 409, Jonesboro.

Eight brothers and sisters of the deceased preceded him in death. He was the last of a family of nine children to die. Mrs. Knight is the only child that survives him. Mrs. Wilson died about twenty years ago.

The funeral will be held from the Knight residence on Main street, Jonesboro, at 2 o’clock Monday afternoon. Internment will be made in the Jonesboro-Gas City I.O.O.F. cemetery. The deceased was a member of the Presbyterian church. Rev. M. H. Selfry of the Jonesboro church will be in charge of the service. The body will lie in state from noon today until noon Monday.