My Genealogy Hound

S. McE. Wilson, M. D., merchant and physician, was born in Hardeman County, Tenn., March 2, 1888, son of Samuel B. and Tillissee (McElwee) Wilson, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. His parents were natives, respectively, of Kentucky and Tennessee, and born in 1808 and 1815. After residing in Tennessee for some time they removed to Mississippi, and there the father died in 1861, and the mother in 1866. Our subject spent his early days on a farm, and at the age of sixteen entered the Ripley Male Academy at Ripley, Miss., remaining until 1858 when he entered the University of Mississippi. He came to Tennessee in the fall of 1859, and began teaching school near the famous Shiloh Church, and at a later period became principal of Ebenezer Academy, in Humphreys County, Tenn. The war broke out about this time, and he went to Mississippi, and continued teaching until the close of the war and then returned to Tennessee. He began the study of medicine in 1861 while teaching school, and afterward read in the office of Drs. Croxton and McFarland. In 1866 he began practicing in Benton County, and later in Decatur County. In 1869 he removed to Stewart County, and a year later (1870) came to Centreville, and since, that time has dealt in drugs and engaged in the active practice of medicine. He married, in 1861, Mary T. Moore, of Humphreys County, and by her he became the father of twelve children, six now living: Eunice, Roffie, Thomas, Jordan, Fannie and Estelle. Dr. Wilson is a Mason, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He is one of the leading men of Centreville, and in 1874 was elected by the county court to fill the unexpired term of David Dean, as county trustee, and in August of the same year was elected by the people as trustee of Hickman County, and was re-elected for three successive terms, holding the office for a period of eight years. He was also postmaster of Centreville five years, and may be said to be a thoroughly self-made man. His first vote was cast for John Bell, of Tennessee, for President, and since that time he has always voted with the Democratic party.