My Genealogy Hound

I. A. Wilson, merchant, El Dorado, Ark. Prominent among the most enterprising and successful of El Dorado merchants, stands the name of Mr. Wilson, who bought out the well-known mercantile business of J. G. Smith & Son on January 14, 1889. He carries a full line of general merchandise, buys cotton, and carries a stock of goods valued at about $6,000. He is a popular business man, and his large trade has been secured by a system of operations conducted upon the strictest principles of mercantile integrity. Mr. Wilson was born in Sumter County, Ga., on September 28, 1854, and divided his time in youth in assisting on the home farm and in attending the common schools of this county. In 1883 he commenced the study of dentistry at Nashville, Tenn., at the University of Tennessee, and graduated from the same in 1884. He then returned to El Dorado and began the practice of that profession, following it until January 14, 1889, when he bought out the above-mentioned mercantile firm. On May 14, 1885, he was united in marriage to Miss Annie Gresham, the daughter of W. D. Gresham, and a native of Union County, Ark. Her father was one of the pioneers of the county. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were born two children: Willie C. and Hendrick Alonzo, who died at the age of four months. Mr. Wilson enjoys a most enviable reputation for integrity and high business ability, while he is esteemed and respected by all. Mrs. Wilson is a member of the Baptist Church. The parents of our subject, J. G. and Rebecca C. (Robinson) Wilson, were natives of North Carolina and Georgia, respectively. After marriage they emigrated to Louisiana (1855), where the father carried on farming, and in 1869 they settled in Columbia County, Ark., where they remained until 1874. They then came to Union County, bought 400 acres of good land, and here the father made many improvements and soon had 200 acres under cultivation. He tilled the soil until his death on October 24, 1889. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for years and an active worker in the same. The mother still lives at El Dorado. Their family consisted of eight children, I. A. Wilson being sixth in order of birth.