JAMES KAUTZMAN WILSON.-A prominent member of the fanning community of Sullivan county, and a man of sterling integrity and worth, James K. Wilson, of Haddon township, has been an important factor in the development of this part of the state, and in the advancement of its welfare. He is a son of the late John L. Wilson, and grandson of Peter Wilson, who, with three of his brothers, John, Adam and George, came to Sullivan county, Indiana, and were among the original settlers of Haddon township. Mr. Wilson's great-grandfather, John Wilson, was born, June 16, 1761, in what is now Hardin county, West Virginia, and as a young man served in the Revolutionary war. He married Susan A. Kautzman, who was of German descent, and who lived to the age of ninety-four years, dying July 17, 1857. Great-grandfather Wilson died in Greene county, Tennessee, April 13, 1809.
Born in Greene county, Tennessee, May 15, 1792, Peter Wilson died, January 29, 1849, in Haddon township, Sullivan county, Indiana. Inheriting the patriotism that inspired his ancestors, he served in the war of 1812. Coming with his family to Haddon township in 1828, he entered forty acres of land in section 18, having a deed written on sheepskin and signed by President Andrew Jackson. It is one of the first deeds executed in Sullivan county, being dated October 23, 1835. This is a valuable souvenir. Being very successful, Peter Wilson from time to time bought other land, having at his death one hundred and sixty acres. He married Judith Welty, who was born in Germany and died in Haddon township, November 15, 1854. They reared but one child, John L. Wilson.
John L. Wilson was born in Greenville, Greene county, Tennessee, May 5, 1817, and died, June 17, 1897, in Haddon township, on the farm now occupied by his son James. Engaged in agricultural pursuits during his entire life, he was eminently successful, and acquired a good property, at one time holding title to three hundred and eighty-nine acres of valuable land. He was active in local affairs, and until Lincoln's time was identified with the Democratic party. He married Elizabeth Stephens, who was born in Jessamine county, Kentucky, January 12, 1821, and died, September 4, 1865, in Haddon township. Into their household ten sons were born, namely: Peter, who died in Bolivar, Missouri, in 1888, leaving a widow and two sons, who still reside there; William Stephens, of Ripley county, Missouri, and his twin brother, Harvey, who died at the age of one month and twenty days; James Kautzman, of this sketch; John Martin, living in Edgar county, Illinois; Courtney M., of Seattle, Washington; Uriah, of Jefferson township; Jasper, deceased; Ashpel P., deceased; and Morton, deceased. Both parents were lifelong members of the Presbyterian church.
At the age of nineteen years, James K. Wilson, who had received a good common school education, enlisted in Company D, Twenty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which his brother William served from July, 1861, until January, 1866. James K. was mustered out of service, at Indianapolis, in January, 1866, having been doing garrison duty during the entire period of his enlistment. He was a member of the state militia also in 1863 and his captain was Samuel McCormick. After returning home, Mr. Wilson began farming on a piece of land given him by his father. He afterwards sold that land, and purchased another farm. In 1874, he bought the farm where he now resides, and has since carried on general farming with great success. He has a good residence and comfortable farm buildings, everything about the premises indicating the care and supervision of an able manager. Mr. Wilson's entire farm is underlaid with a four to five foot vein of coal, and a gas well is about one-half mile from his residence.
On April 8, 1869, Mr. Wilson married Laura Jane Johnson, who was born, November 16, 1845, in Haddon township, which was likewise the birthplace of her father, Samuel Johnson, while her mother, whose maiden name was Amanda Elizabeth Reid, was a native of Jefferson township. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson four children have been born, namely: one who died in infancy; Amanda E., born December 12, 1870, is the wife of Charles L. Pirtle, of Hamilton township, of whom a brief sketch may be found in this volume; Jasper Nevil, born July 15, 1873, married Iona Bensinger, and lives in Jefferson township; and James A., born November 4, 1875. James A. served in the Spanish-American war, being under command of General Lawton in the Philippines. He is now a member of the Coast Artillery Company, and was stationed at Fort Miley, at the Golden Gate, and is now at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, Sixty-fourth Company of United States Coast Artillery. He is unmarried. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have seven grandchildren, six grandsons, and one granddaughter. They and their children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Bethlehem.