Otto A. Wilson
Otto A. Wilson, who is now living in Fairfield, is well known in Democratic circles in Greene county, taking a deep and active interest in everything pertaining to the welfare and upbuilding of his party. He is now serving in the position of township clerk. He was born in the village of Fairfield, August 7, 1867, and is a son of William W. and Sarah (Greiner) Wilson. His paternal grandfather, William Henry Wilson, was a native of Ireland and emigrated with his family to the new world, after which he served as ensign of the Fifth Company of the Seventy-fourth Regiment of the Militia of Pennsylvania. being appointed to the position in 1811, the commission being signed by Governor Simon Snyder. This document is still in the possession of our subject. Mr. Wilson also has a commission in his possession signed by President James Monroe, ap[ointing William H. Wilson as the first surveyor of Clark county, Ohio. In 1816 the grandfather purchased a tract of land bordering for one hundred feet on Market street, in Springfield, Ohio, and this was in possession of the family for over eighty years, being sold but a short time ago. He died while yet a young man, passing away in 1823. His remains were interred in Springfield. Ohio, but later were transferred to the family lot in Fairfield. He was the father of three children: Mrs. Emily Smith, who died in Fairfield in 1889; Catherine, who became Mrs. Bressler, of Fairfield, and died in July, 1890; and William W., the father of our subject. The mother of these children passed away in 1868.
William W. Wilson was born in Springfield, Ohio, July 20. 1823, and pursued his education in the public schools there until he was twelve years of age, when he went to Bath township, Greene county, to live with Arthur Johnson, and in that locality he completed his education. In 1846 he began to learn the cabinet-maker's trade, in Dayton. Ohio. He would walk to Dayton on Monday morning and return on Saturday evening, making the journey on foot each way. a distance of fifteen miles. After he had completed his trade he returned to Fairfield, where he opened an undertaking establishment and cabinet shop, continuing business along those lines until the close of the Civil war. He then entered into partnership with D. K. Wolf. under the firm name of Wilson & Wolf, and opened a general store in Fairfield, but the partnership continued only a short time, Mr. Wilson becoming sole owner of the business which he conducted successfully until a few years prior to his death, when on account of ill health he sold out. He started in life with no capital and by hard, earnest, honest work he accumulated considerable property and became a wealthy man. At the time of his death he owned a house and lot in Fairfield, where he lived, a farm in Bath township, Greene county, another farm in Clark county and a business block and a house and lot in Springfield, Ohio, all having been acquired from his own earnest exertions. In politics he was a lifelong Democrat, and served as township trustee for a number of years, while for a few years he was justice of the peace, proving a capable and efficient officer. His wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he was a regular attendant upon its services until his health failed. Mrs. Wilson was ill for about eighteen months prior to her death. During the last six months she was unable to Ieave her bed. She passed away November 6, 1901, at the age of sixty-seven years, and was laid to rest by the side of her husband in Fairfield cemetery. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were born two children, the daughter being Cornelia, the wife of F. D. Johnson, a resident of Cheyenne, Wyoming, in the United States mail service.
Otto A. Wilson, of this review. pursued his education in the schools of Fairfield and acquired a teacher's certificate, but never engaged in teaching. He always lived with his father and assisted him in his work and after his father's health failed assumed the management of the business. He is, however, a painter by trade and followed that pursuit for a number of years, working in some of the western cities. For a time he was employed in the shipyards at Seattle, Washington.
On the 27th of September, 1894, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Cora Miller, a native of Bath township, and a daughter of Jacob and Catherine Miller. In his political views Mr. Wilson is a stanch Democrat, and in 1895 was elected on that ticket to the office of township clerk, in which capacity he is still serving. During the campaign of 1896 and those succeeding he has been a member of the central and executive committees, and has served as clerk of both committees. He has also for several times been a delegate to the county and state conventions and is unswerving in his allegiance to the party. His wife is a member of the Reformed church, while he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. They have one of the finest houses in Fairfield. It is heated by hot water, is modern in every respect and was built in an attractive style of architecture, Mr. Wilson himself drawing the plans for the place. He also owns a farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres of very valuab!e land in Bath township and this brings to him a good rental, adding materially to his income. Mr. Wilson has spent his entire life in this locality and is widely known as a gentleman of genuine worth, of reliability in business and one whose genial manner and social disposition has gained him many friends.
From History of Greene County, Ohio, by George F. Robinson (S. J. Clarke Publishing Co, 1902)