Andrew C. Wilson
Andrew C. Wilson,a judge, was born November 6, 1816, in Irving Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania.
Biography
He began to work on the farm at an early age and remained with his parents until fifteen. He then commenced rafting on the Allegany River, until his 22nd birthday. He then moved to Indiana in 1838 and in the following year came to Calhoun County, Illinois. At that date Calhoun County was in a decidedly primitive state, with timber land on every side and deer and wild turkeys roaming at will with little fear of being disturb. He located on the Illinois River where he established a wood yard, the lumber business being the chief industry of those times. His place was at Blooms Landing, formally known as Wilson’s Woodyard, just above the head of a six-mile island and he was occupied in supplying steamers with wood until 1846. He next moved to Richwoods where the land was known as patent land or Military Tract, and people cut timber wherever they chose. Andrew did the same, preparing staves, sawlogs and cordwood to be sent to St Louis for sale.
In 1849 made his first purchase of land buying 160 acres on section 8, for which he paid $325. He continued to add to his estate from time to time. It expanded to 1,000 acres of valuable land in Illinois and 262 acres in Missouri. He formerly owned the ground upon which Batchtown, Illinois is situated and cleared and cultivated the ground upon which the buildings of that village now stand.
He married Sarah Turner May 4, 1848. She was born in Ralls County, Missouri. They had 8 children - Reecca, James, Abigail, John E., Jane and Frances (Fannie Shannon) - do not have the other 2 names. Sarah died in 1872 and in the same year was married to Mrs. Jane (Geeding) McCoy. This marriage was blessed with one child, Robert N. Her parents John and Livina (Smith) Geeding were natives of Maryland and Ohio, respectively, and upon coming to Calhoun County settled in Point Precinct.
He donated the Wilson Cemetery in Batchtown. Andrew gave all his children 50 acres of land as a wedding gift.
Andrew became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the year 1854 and manifested great interest in Sunday schools. He was a Free-Soiler in politics and voted for Martin Van Buren. He was a Democrat until 1884 at which time he joined the Prohibition Party, continuing to vote with that party. He was a man of influence and had at different times been called upon to fill offices of public trust, serving as County Judge for three years, as a member of the District School Board for a number of years and as Township Trustee.