General James Pilson
was born in April, 1796, in Augusta County, Virginia, the son of Samuel and Dorcas Pilson. His parents emigrated to Adams County in 1807, and settled on Eagle Creek. Dorcas Pilson died in 1840, and Samuel Pilson in 1848. James taught school when a youth, and at the age of twenty was appointed surveyor of Adams County, and held the office two years. From the organization of Brown County, he was its county surveyor until 1824. In 1831 and 1832, he was a member of the house from Brown County, defeating Jesse R. Grant, father of President Grant, for that office.
He was for many years proprietor of Pilson's mill on Eagle Creek. The mill was built by Abraham Shepherd. For many years he was a brigadier general in the militia. From 1833 to 1835, he represented Adams and Brown counties in the senate. He was a man of good business capacity, of integrity and steady and reliable character. He married a niece of Gen Joseph Darlinton, daughter of his sister, Mrs. Edwards. She was a widow of George Sparks when he married her.
They had one son, Samuel Pilson, born March 7, 1843. Gen. James Pilson died April 4, 1880. He was a Democrat and a Republican. The writer remembers him very well and was a playmate of his son Samuel, also now deceased.
From History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900