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JAMES R. WILSON, a prominent and skillful agriculturalist of Branch County, occupies a leading position among the intelligent and respected citizens of Ovid Township. He is a native of New York, born in Starkey, Yates County, Jan. 12, 1836. He is of good New England ancestry, his grandparents, Reuben and Sabra (Follett) Wilson, having been born in Western Massachusetts, July 9, 1772, and July 25, 1775, respectively. After marriage they remained in their native state for some years, and then removed to Yates County, NY., being early settlers of Milo Township. In 1835 they came to the Territory of Michigan, spending their first season here in Coldwater, and then made a permanent settlement in Ovid Township, where they entered 160 acres of Government land on section 21. Mr. Wilson, who was a carpenter and joiner by trade, first erected a log house, which he soon after replaced by a substantial frame dwelling. He improved a part of the land and lived here until his death, which occurred Aug. 17, 1839. Mrs. Wilson survived him a short time, dying Sept. 7, 1841, when she was laid to rest besider her husband in the cemetery that he had located on his land on section 28. To them had been born eleven children, five sons and six daughters.

Their son Daniel, the father of our subject, an honored pioneer of Branch County, was born in Berkshire County, Mass., Dec. 6, 1810, and was consequently but two years of age when his parents removed to New York. He attended the district schools of Milo, where he received thorough instruction in the fundamental branches of study, and while yet in his teens he commenced teaching school. During that time he began the study of medicine, and later continued his studies with Dr. Spence, of New York. Subsequently he was under the instruction of Drs. Whitney and Huston, of Yates County, and received his diploma from the Medical Society of that county. He practiced there until 1836, when he came to the Territory of Michigan with a view of locating permanently. He bought eigthy acres of land of his father, but in the fall of that year returned to the Empire State and resumed the practice of his profession in Yates County, residing there until 1839, when, accompanied by his wife and one child (our subject), he again came to Michigan. The journey was made across Lake Erie from Buffalo to MOnroe, then with a one horse wagon to Union City, Branch County, where he located and commenced the practice of his profession, being one of the earliest pioneer physicians of this county. In August of that year his father died, and it became necessary for him to remove to Ovid to care for his mother. He settled on the homestead, and for a few years managed the farm and attended to his duties as a physician. Finding the care too much for him, he removed to Coldwater, where he spent a few months then went to Branch Village, and was there successfully engaged as a practitioner of medicine for two or three years. Returning to Ovid, Dr. Wilson settled on section 28, where he had previously bought eighty acres of timber land, and after clearing a space he commenced the erection of a house. It was his desire to retire from his professional duties and devote his entire attention to agriculture, but his ability and skill as a physician were so well known that his services were in constant requisition by the people, so that in addition to superintending his farm work, he also practiced medicine, until ill health compelled him to retire from active life. He had been the beloved physician in many a household. where his presence has brought healing, and all regard him as a safe friend and a wise counselor. He is a man of superior intellectual culture, and rare strength and sweetness of character. He has often been called upon to fill important offices of responsibility and trust in the county and township, having served as Supervisor of Ovid, as Sheriff of Branch County, and as County Surveyor, the people having had such confidence in him that when the Legislature passed an act for appropriating 5,000 acres for the improvement of highways, he was appointed to locate the land, sell the same, and expend the proceeds. In earlier years the Doctor was a Democrat in politics, but differing with the majority of that Party on the slavery question, he joined the Republican party on its formation, and has since been a firm supporter of its principles. Dr. Wilson was married, Feb. 9, 1834, to Miss Mary Sprouls who was born in New Jersey, Dec. 25, 1810. Her parents, James and Corselas Sprouls, moved from New Jersey to New York State, where they spent their last years. Dr. and Mrs. Wilson were the parents of two children, our subject andd Marion. The latter is the wife of Allen A. Abbott, of Allegan County, Mich. Mrs. Wilson, who was a most loving wife and kind and devoted mother, died Oct. 6, 1879.

James R. Wilson, of whom we write, was in his fourth year when his parents came to Michigan, and remembers well the incidents of pioneer life in Branch County. Indians still occupied their original haunts, and frequently called at the cabins of the white settlers; deer, wild turkeys and other game were abundant, and furnished food for the inhabitants. Our subject received his rudimentary education in the pioneer schools, and being a scholar of great intellectual attainments, was afterward sent to Hillsdale College, where he was a student the first term of school taught in that institution. During vacations and after leaving school our subject assisted in the work of the farm, living with his parents until his marriage, when he settled on the place where he now resides, opposite the old homestead on section 28.

Mr. Wilson has been twice married. The maiden name of his first wife, to whom he was wedded July 4, 1867, was Maria Thompson, a native of Ohio, and daughter of John and Cornelia Thompson. After a few years of happy married life she passed to her long rest, Jan. 9, 1878. The second marriage of our subject was solemnized Aug. 28, 1886, he being at that time united to Miss Annie Goble, a native of Steuben County, N.Y., and a daughter of James and Eliza Goble.

Mr. Wilson owns one of the finest farms in Branch County, consisting of 200 acres of fertile land, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation, and includes the old homestead of his father. Our subject is a practical business man, with sound and intelligent views on all the leading topics of the day, and is an influential citizen of his community. In educational affairs he takes especial interest, and has served as school officer in his district, and as School Inspector. He has also filled acceptably to his townsmen the office of Township Treasurer, and has represented the town on the County Board of Supervisors.

Both Mr. Wilson and his estimable wife occupy a high social position in the community, and are justly esteemed for their many virtues. In politics our subject is a true Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln.