Jasper N. Wilson
Jasper N. Wilson. who follows general farming in the southeastern part of Bath township, was born May 28, 1850. in this township, and is a son of William and Elizabeth E. (Watts) Wilson. The father's birth occurred in Bath township October 14, 1812. his parents being William and Catherine (Heffley) Wilson. The former was a native of Kentucky and about 1800 came to Greene county. Ohio, while the grandmother arrived five years later, coming from Maryland, her native state. Soon after reaching Ohio the grandfather entered land from the government, thus becoming the owner of a tract in the eastern part of Bath township, which he at once began to improve. He was called out in service in the war of 1812 and there contracted disease which terminated his life. After his death his wife left the farm and made her home with her husband's father, Michael Wilson, There she died six months after the birth of her son William.
The latter lived with his grandparents in the old homestead until he was seventeen years of age. He then learned the blacksmith's trade at Byron, of Jacob Greiner, and after he had mastered the business he worked for one year as a journeyman. He then purchased the shop and tools of his employer and conducted business there for eighteen years, after which he sold out and bought a little farm near the town, continuing its cultivation until 1855. He then traded the property for a larger farm about two and one-half miles from Byron and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1872. In May, 1834. he had married Elizabeth Watts, and unto them were born ten children, but only one of the number is now living. These were: William W.; Sarah, who died in infancy; Jacob, who was a member of the One Hundred and Tenth Regiment of Ohio Volunteers in the Civil war; Catherine, the wife of Jacob Wolf, but both are now deceased; Susan, the wife of Henry Coines, and they have also passed away; Elizabeth, who became the wife of John Lowe, and, they, too, are deceased; Mary Elizabeth, the wife of James Ross; Virginia Alice; Jasper; and Annette, the widow of F. B. Bryan. The mother of this family died March 13, 1877. The father was a member of the Reformed church for nearly half a century and was one of the loyal adherents to the cause of Christianity. He held the office of justice
of the peace at Byron for nearly two years and then resigned on account of the demands of his private business. In politics he was a strong Republican and in his farming operations and other pursuits he was very successful. After 1872 he lived a retired life in Fairfield until called to his final rest in 1881. Both he and his wife were buried in the cemetery at Byron.
Jasper N. Wilson was educated in the district schools, but when still quite young began to assist his father in the work of the field and meadow and was thus engaged until he was twenty-seven vears of age. In the spring of 1882 he removed to his present farm. In the meantime he had married, having in the spring of 1871 wedded Miss Ellen K. Hetsel, who is now deceased. Their children were: Bertha and Charles, who have passed away; Bessie, the wife of John Kendig of Bath township, by whom she has two children—Fay and Frank; William, who married Hattie Dillinger, by whom he has one child, Mabel, and tlieir home is in Bath township; Clelland, who married Laura Reed; Ettie. now deceased: Susie, who is living with her brother-in-law. Mr, Kendig; and Lura. also deceased. The mother died in 1888 when about thirty-eight years of age and was laid to rest in the Byron Union cemetery. She was a consistent Christian woman who held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. On the 16th of August, 1892, Mr, Wilson was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Mary (Henman) Hansel, who had one child, Jesse, by her former marriage. By the present union there were three children: Ralph, who died in infancy; Raymond and Leslie, who are still with their parents. The family home is upon a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which Mr. Wilson is carrying on general farming and stock-raising. His fields are well tilled and annually he gathers good harvests. In his pastures are found good grades of stock and his business is carefully managed, so that he is to-day one of the prosperous and substantial citizens of his community.
From History of Greene County, Ohio, by George F. Robinson (S. J. Clarke Publishing Co, 1902)