Austin B. Wilson
Austin B. Wilson, a highly respected resident of Troy Township, who has resided in Delaware County, Ohio, for over a half century, and who owns 360 acres of land in Marlborough Township, in two farms, which are adjudged the most valuable ones between Delaware and Marion, Ohio, comes of an old New England family. He was horn in Hillsboro County, New Hampshire, January 3, 1832, and is a son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Fairbanks) Wilson.
James Wilson, the grandfather, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Alexander Wilson was born in New Hampshire and his wife in Massachusetts, and they reared their family in Hillsboro County. There Austin B. Wilson grew up and obtained an excellent education for his time, enjoying academic advantages at Francestown, New Hampshire, for several terms, and supplementing this by the practical experience of after life. In 1854 he came to Delaware County and at first engaged in a livery and omnibus business at Delaware, after which he went to Marion County, llinois, and there followed farming for several years. In 1866 he returned to Delaware County and settled in Marlborough Township, where he continued in agricultural pursuits until 1898. In that year he came to Troy Township, where he has since resided.
On May 8, 1865, Mr. Wilson was married to Mary Bush, who was born in Troy Township, Delaware County, Ohio, April 25, 1834, and is a daughter of Hon. David and Elizabeth (Wilson) Bush, the former of whom was a native of Orange County, New York, and the latter of Hillsboro County, New Hampshire. Hon. David Bush came with his parents, Isaac and Sarah Bush, from New York to Delaware County, when he was twelve years of age. He became a prominent citizen of this county and was elected a member of the State Legislature. One of his sons. Louis Bush, of Troy Township, served two terms as county commissioner of Delaware County. The mother of Mrs. Wilson was eighteen years of age when she came to Delaware County. Of the children of David Bush and wife, four survive, namely: Sarah M., who is the widow of the late James B. Jackson, and resides at Delaware; Elizabeth, who lives in Troy Township; Mary; and Ellen, who married Thomas B. Jones, who resides in Radnor Township. David Bush left 1,600 acres of land at the time of his death, located in Delaware and Marion Counties.
Mr. and Mis. Wilson have had four children, namely: Austin A., residing in Marlborough Township; David A., residing in Troy Township; Harry B., residing in Marlborough Township; and Minnie, who is deceased. For a number of years prior to her marriage. Mrs. Wilson taught school in Delaware County. Politically, Mr. Wilson is a Republican.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908