John S. Wilson
John S. Wilson, farmer, P. O. Deerfield, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1817, son of Isaac and Sarah (Givens) Wilson, natives of Delaware and parents of the following children: John S., Isaac, Elizabeth, George and Joseph. Isaac Wilson, a paper-maker by trade, was appointed Superintendent of a mill on Little Beaver Creek, Columbiana Co., Ohio, by Cramer & Spear, of Pittsburgh, Penn Accepting this position he located there in 1814. He subsequently established a small stock of goods in a room, and his wife attended to the sale of same while he ran the mill. He was afterward admitted a partner in the concern and carried on the milling business until 1824, when he bought a farm of 175 acres near Franklin, Stark County. Misfortunes came upon him soon after; his barn was struck by lightning and burned, and his son was caught beneath a falling tree and lost his limb. Returning to commercial pursuits he opened a tavern, which he conducted some years. Subsequently he removed to Salem, established himself in business there, and remained the balance of his life. He died August 1, 1846, aged sixty-one years. At the time of his death he had twelve stores under his control in different portions of the State. His widow lived to be eighty-three years of age. Our subject was married in Mahoning County in 1841, to Miss Sarah Everett, of New York, by whom he has had twelve children, seven of whom are now living: Mary, wife of S. Caldwell; Martha, wife of I. Diver; Frank, married to Bertha Benedict; Hartzell S., married to Sarah Hahn; Anna M.; Morgan C. and Joseph. Mr. Wilson came to Deerfield Township in 1846, and for some years engaged in mercantile business. Prior to coming here he carried on a grist and saw-mill in Berlin Township, Mahoning County. He settled on a farm in the eastern part of this township, comprising over 300 acres, and still owns 159 acres of same. In the spring of 1881 he occupied his present estate, comprising twenty-two acres of well- improved land. Although advanced in years our subject is strong mentally and physically. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885