James D. Wilson, a successful farmer and prosperous citizen of Pleasant Township, is a native of Guilford County, N.C., born March 3, 1828, being the son of Edward and Ann (Billingsly) Wilson, both of whom were natives of North Carolina. When he was a child his parents emigrated westward to Johnson County, and located on a tract of land in Pleasant Township. Our subject has ever since continued to reside on the same tract. During his early life he was employed upon the farm in summer, and was occasionally permitted to attend the district school in winter. At about the age of twenty-one he took up the carpenter’s trade, and to it his attention was given for some six or seven years. He then turned his attention to the vocation of a farmer and stock-raiser, to which it has since entirely been given. He owns a farm of 110 acres, about seventy-five of which are in cultivation. It is in a good state of improvement, and is very desirably situated. On the third day of December, 1857, he was married to Susan C. Oldham. She was born in Rush County, Ind., April 25, 1838, and was the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Wilson) Oldham, who were respectively natives of Pennsylvania and Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have had seven children, as follows: Laura B., born December 4, 1858 (married Granville R. Trout, March 17, 1885. He was born in this county, June 20, 1859, and was the son of Andrew J. and Elizabeth (Lemasters) Trout. Mr. Trout lived only a few months after his marriage, his death occurring August 6, 1885.); Clara A., March 2, 1860, deceased; John A., June 18, 1862; James N., September 22, 1864; Charles G., November 15, 1867; Susan O., May 11, 1873, and Jessie M., June 24, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson and their five oldest children, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their daughter, Clara A., was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr. Wilson is a democrat, and has served his township as assessor four years. He is an enterprising and progressive farmer, and he and wife are highly respected.