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Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

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The Biography of William WILSON, M.D. 

Pages 356-357, transcribed in full by Danni Hopkins 

[Surnames: HALL, McFARLAND, WILSON] 

    
WILLIAM WILSON, M. D., the oldest physician in London Mills, has been of great assistance to the community in building up the town. He has been interested in real estate, has built a score of houses and still owns village property. He has filled nearly every office in the township, taken a part in the workings of the social orders, and in addition to all this, has had a large practice in his profession. His mind has been well developed, his memory stored with facts and principles pertaining to the science of medicine, and with all the strength of an energetic nature he has made use of his knowledge. 
    
Dr. Wilson is the eldest of the four children born to Dr. Samuel and Mahala (McFarland) Wilson. The parental history will be found in the sketch of his brother, Dr. H. L. Wilson, [page 601] in this ALBUM. Our subject was reared in the village of Hermon, Knox County, where his eyes had opened to the light July 8, 1848. During his youth he attended the common schools and Abingdon College and in 1864, enlisted in Company K, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, was mustered in at Peoria and served until July, 1865. Soon after the war he began studying medicine, his father being his preceptor. He removed with his parents to Iowa and entered the medical department of the University of Iowa City, and was graduated from that institution in 1875, as physician and surgeon. He at once located at London Mills, being the first physician to open an office here. He worked up a fine practice and has been very successful in his efforts to ameliorate suffering and preserve life. 
    
The lady whom Dr. Wilson won for his wife and with whom he was united in marriage in Iowa, in 1872, bore the maiden name of Jennie A. Hall. She was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, in 1852; she is a lady of culture and stands side by side with her husband in her knowledge of medicine. She studied that profession in the University at Iowa City, taking a special course the same year as her husband. She was Postmistress in London Mills from 1887 to 1889, and is a popular member of the society here. Doctor and Mrs. Wilson have one child, a son, Samuel A. 
    
Dr. Wilson belongs to the independent Order of Odd-Fellows in this place and to Joe Mower Post, No. 107, G. A. R.; he is also identified with the Masonic fraternity at Abingdon. In politics he is a Democrat of the Jacksonian order.