Notes for Thomas Thornhill WILLSON
DeKalb Bio on Thomas T. Wilson
Thomas T. Wilson owns and cultivates eighty acres of land on section 20, Victor township constituting one of the well improved farms near Leland. It was about three miles from the village and the well tilled fields and improvements upon the place indicate the progressive spirit and untiring energy of the owner, who, since 1855, has been a resident of De Kalb Co. He is of English birth, the place of his nativity being Cambridgeshire, while his natal day was March 8, 1834. His father James Wilson, was also born in Cambridgeshire, where he spent his boyhood and youth. He afterward married Sarah Thornhill, an English lady, and following that important event in his life gave his attention to general agricultural
Pursuits.
Thomas T.Wilson was reared to the age of eighteen years upon the farm on which his birth occurred. He then determined to establish his home in the new world, for he had heard of many favorable reports concerning it's superior business opportunities and advantages. Accordingly he sailed for the United States in 1853 in company with an uncle, John Wilson, who was an old resident of Jamestown, New York, having come to the United States in 1834. He had been on a visit to England, and on his return his nephew accompanied him to the United States. Thomas T.Wilson continued to reside in the state of New York for about two years and then came westward to Illinois with three other young men. Their destination was De kalb Co, and here Mr. Wilson went to work as a farm hand by the month, being thus employed for several years. In 1857 he went to Kansas, where he continued until 1859. For one year of that time he was in a store in Atchison. Returning to Illinois in 1859, he again worked at farm labor by the month until 1870, when he began farming on his own account.
On the 3rd of May, 1877, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage in Victor Township, Dekalb Co to Miss Mary Ann Bend, who was born in Lincolnshire, England, and in her childhood days was brought to the United States by her parents. They located on the farm which Mr. Wilson had previously purchased, and his undivided time and energies were devoted to the work of the farm. He drained the land by the judicious use of tile, fenced the fields, erected a comfortable residence, built good barns, and outbuildings, set out an orchard, and, in fact, made the farm what it is today, a valuable property, equipped with all modern accessories. Mr. Wilson also raises a good grade of full blooded shorthorn cattle and also some high grade hogs, and annually places a large number on the market. He is a member of the Victor Township Mutual Insurance Co.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born two daughters: Sarah Matilda and Esther Jane, the latter now at home. The former is the wife of William G. Parks, a resident of Wright Co Iowa and they have four sons and two daughters. Politically Mr. Wilson is a republican, and cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856, while in 1860 he supported Abraham Lincoln. He has been a member of the school board for two or three years, but has never sought or desired the honors and emoluments of political office. He came to De Kalb county fifty two years ago and during the years of his residence here he has not only been prosperous in his undertakings, but has also contributed to the agricultural interests of the community. He started out in life empty handed, but possessed strong purpose and unfaltering determination, and upon these qualities as a foundation he has built the super structure of his success.
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Obituary for Thomas Thornhill Wilson (Willson)
Thomas Thornhill Wilson was born at Prickwillow, near Ely, Cambridgeshire, England, March 8, 1834, and died at his home three miles north of Leland, January 13, 1911, aged 67 [actually 76] years, 10 months, and 5 days.
When but a young man of nineteen years, he crossed the ocean for New York, and two years later he came to DeKalb County. He also spent three years in Kansas and drove the first pony express from Atchison to Seneca. On May 3, 1877, he was united in marrieage to Mary A. Bend, of Victor. This union was blessed with two daughters, Sarah Matilda, Wife of William G. Parks, of Clarion, Iowa, and Esther Jane, who lived at home. These children are left to mourn a father's loving care, also a nephew, Charles Bend, who made his home with him for 16 years, one brother [James] of Missouri, and one sister [Emma] of Wisbech, England.
He was sick only about two weeks but bore his suffering with patience and hope and leaves a precious memory in the minds of those who are left.
The funeral service was conducted at his late home three miles north of Leland, on Monday, by Dr. J.M. Lewis, of Sandwich. Internment was in the Wesson Cemetery.
[January 19, 1911 issue of Sandwich Free Press]
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Note: It is not known when Thomas rode the route. According to Jackie Lewin, Head of Research at St. Joseph Museum in St. Joseph, Missouri, the eastern terminus was moved in August 1861 from St. Joseph to Atchison, Kansas, because of so many southern sympathizers in St. Joseph at the outbreak of the Civil War. The Pony Express lasted until October 26, 1861 with the advent of telegraph use across the country. The company that operated the Pony Express was the Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company which had offices in Leavenworth, Kansas. She states that there is not much information about the riders from Atchison to Seneca.
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Came to USA in 1853 with his Uncle John Willson who had been back to England on a visit. Lived with Hohn in Jamestown, New York until 1855 when he came to DeKalb County, Illinois, with cousins William and James.
William (Billy) died after being hit by a train in Aurora, IL 1903 and buried Shabbona, IL. Have not been able to trace James, unless he is the one buried back in Jamestown NY 1864 of dysentery and consumption about the same time as Uncle John. William (Billy) appears to be son of William and wife Elizabeth Rowell. James might be son of Thomas and wife Mary.
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One account (1907 "Past and Present of DeKalb County") says there were four men, but we don't know who is the fourth. "Wigwams to Moon Footprint" by Sara Buerer Mednez"s Pioneer History, Waterman IL, Waterman Press, In. indicates a segment re Billy indicating he came with cousins James and Thomas, but no mention of a 4th man.
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Thomas used the double L in his name, but gradually it became only one L. His daughters had to sign an affidavit after his death to attest they were his heirs even though they werenamed Wilson and not Willson.
Burial: Wesson Cemetery, near Leland in DeKalb county, Illinois.
Immigration: 1853, came from England with Uncle John who had gone back for a visit, according to a local history story. 1900 US census clearly states date was 1853. He was living with his Uncle John in Jamestown, New York in 1855 census and came to Illiois later that year.
Naturalization: 24 September 1872, DeKalb County, Illinois (as Wilson)