John Orlando Wilson
John Orlando Wilson was born in Cincinnati, September 22, 1842, the son of Joseph Allen and Harriet Lafferty Wilson. He was an only son, His father, at the time of his birth, was Deputy Clerk of the Courts of Hamilton County, and resided in Cincinnati until 1844. His father died December 16, 1848, of consumption. His mother died August 12, 1850. He was then taken by his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Wm. F. Willson, and resided with them in West Union until 1851, when they removed to Ironton, Ohio and took him with them. He attended the Public schools in Ironton till about 1861, when he went to Illinois and engaged in school teaching. On August 15. 1862, at Morton, Illinois, he enlisted in Company G, of the 86th Illinois Regiment and served until June 6, 1865, when he was discharged. He returned at once to Ironton, and from there went to West Union, Ohio, where he became a law student under the late Edward P. Evans. He remained here during the Summer and Fall and in the Winter attended the Cincinnati Law School. He was admitted to the bar at Portsmouth, Ohio, April 23, 1866. He then went to Cincinnati, where, on October 9, 1866, he was married to Pauline H. Weber, daughter of Prof. John Weber. There were two sons of this marriage, William F., born September 13, 1867, and Charles O., born May 26, 1873. They reside with their mother at Cincinnati. John O. Wilson first located at Elizabethtown, Illinois, as a lawyer and remained there one year. He then returned to Cincinnati and engaged in the drug business for eighteen months. He then located at Greensburg, Ind., but remained only a few months. He then went to St. Louis, Mo.. where he took up the practice of law with Judge Powers. He resided at St. Louis during the remainder of his life. In August, 1878, he went to Memphis, Tenn., on legal business. It was during the prevalence of yellow fever. His business required him to remain in Memphis some time. After he had been there eight days, he was attacked with yellow fever. He was sick some five or six days, when he died, alone, among strangers, and without the presence of a single friend. He was buried in the common grave with numerous other victims. His life was a sad one in the loss of his parents and in his own tragic death at the early age of thirty-six. His widow removed to Cincinnati, where she has since resided. Her sons are excellent young men with good positions and are doing their best for themselves and for her.
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