STEUBEN REPUBLICAN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1880, p. 8, c. 4 JOHN WILSON, 06 Feb 1800 - 03 Nov 1880 DIED: WILSON-At the residence of Samuel W. Brown, in Salem township, Nov. 3, 1880, John Wilson, aged 80 years, eight months and 27 days. The deceased was born in the state of Pennsylvania, February 6, 1800, and when quite young removed with his father's family to the state of New York. At or about the time of his majority he went to Richland county, Ohio, where he was married to Miss Dinah Bodley on Jauary 18th, 1821. He settled in Salem township on the first of October, 1836, on the land now known as the Loughrey farm, and here he and his most estimable wife commenced a new home in the wilderness. He was the father of nine children, six girls and three boys, seven of whom survive him, and six of them were present at his funeral, which took place at the Presbyterian church in Salem, on the 5th of November, 1880, the Rev. J. V. Hickmott, of Angola, officiating. Mr. Hickmott preached a sermon from the text, "To die is gain." The deceased united with the Presbyterian church at the age of twenty, and when he moved to this place brought his religion with him, and after building a cabin invited his neighbors in to hold religious meetings. These meetings consisted of reading of sermons, prayer and conference. Her also organized a Sabbath school, the first one in this township, in connection with the other religious services. In 1839 the Presbyterian church of this place was organized at his house, with him as a ruling elder. In 1843 his wife died, and, after about ten years, his children being scattered by marriage, he sold his farm, and soon after went to live with his third daughter, who was married to S. W. Brown, with whom he continued to reside up to the time of his death. He was an affectionate and tender husband and father, a warm and congenial friend, and a true and consistent Christian. Since the death of his wife he has appeared to be only waiting for the summons to call him to unite with her in that better land, where there will be no parting. He often expressed himself as ready and willing to go. There was a good man who has passed away at a good old age, as a candle that has burned out; and, much as he will be missed by his children and grandchildren, and by his neighbors, who were always ready to welcome Uncle John, the church and Sabbath school will miss him far more, for there he has been a constant attendant ever since their organization. In fact he has been their main stay and prop. There will be a vacant seat there, and a vacancy that will be felt for years. The writer has been acquainted with him since the spring of 1838, and cannot remember a prayer or conference meeting or a Sabbath school where he was present that he did not take an active part, and his everyday life corresponded with his religious faith and teachings. Surely it can be said of the man who lived such a life, for the man, "to die is gain." A.G.P. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: John Wilson, 06 Feb 1800 - 03 Nov 1880, married Dinah (Bodley) Wilson, 29 Apr 1803 - 01 Dec 1843. They are buried at Flint Cemetery, Steuben County, Indiana. CHILDREN: Mary Jane Wilson, 11 Mar 1822 - 10 Sep 1847, buried at Flint Cemetery. Margaret Ann (Wilson) Colwell, on 28 Mar 1843, married John Colwell. No other information. Elizabeth Cuckendal (Wilson) Brown, 02 Jan 1826 - 09 Sep 1896, on 22 April 1847 in LaGrange, Indiana, married Samuel Wright Brown, 18 Mar 1823 - 21 Mar 1899. They are buried at Flint Cemetery. Samuel was the son of George Brown, 08 Feb 1786 - 23 Dec 1844, and Elizabeth/Betsey (Wright) Brown. They are buried at Flint Cemetery. Catherine Emiline (Wilson) Shepardson, 04 Nov 1827 - 10 Jun 1902, on 23 Feb 1850 in Mongo, LaGrange County, Indiana, married Edmund Gibbs Shepardson, 15 Nov 1822 - 11 Aug 1882. They are buried at Mongo, LaGrange County, Indiana. Melgena (Wilson) Holiday, married Sylvester Holiday. No other information. James H. Wilson, 05 Nov 1832 - 1898, married Elsie A. (_____) Wilson, 1836 - 1873. They are buried at Flint Cemetery. Edward/Edwin H. Wilson, who died 27 Feb 1894, on 24 Dec 1862, married Christiana (Klink) Wilson, 1832 - 10 Nov 1907. They are buried at Flint Cemetery. Abram Devitt Wilson, 22 Nov 1837 - 15 Mar 1844, buried at Flint Cemetery. Rebecca D. (Wilson) Meek, born 1841, married Lucius Meek, born in 1839. No other information. Steuben Republican, 17 May 1892, "The Pioneers" death list - John Wilson; 24 May 1893, James H. Wilson. Steuben Republican, 22 Aug 1894, "Old Settlers" death list - Edward H. Wilson; 25 Aug 1897, Elizabeth Brown; 23 Aug 1899, Samuel Brown; 19 Aug 1908, Christiana Wilson. "Cemeteries of Steuben County, Indiana, 1990," by Audree Seibel Lewis, Vol. 1, pages 217, 231; Vol. 2, pages 1968. 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973. "History of Steuben County, Indiana, 1885," page 726, biography of John Wilson; pages 761, 782, biography of John Wilson. "Marriage Records, Steuben County, Indiana, 1837 - 1899." www.familysearch.org - 1880 United States Census Submitted by Mona Hilden-Beckwith e-mail: hilbeck123@att.net