Scott W. Wilson
A substantial contributor to the business strength and importance of Ironton is found in the person of Scott W. Wilson, who in the line of real estate and insurance has met with well-merited success. A man of excellent character and good business qualifications, his standing in the community as a citizen is of the best, and his energetic, progressive manner of carrying on his transactions has created a favorable impression on all with whom he has come into contact. Mr. Wilson is a product of the farm and of Lawrence County, for he was born on his father's homestead in Mason Township, February 5, 1873, a son of James and Malissa (Folden) Wilson.
James Wilson was also born in Mason Township, where the family had been founded at an early day by his father, and grew up to the pursuits of the soil, in which he engaged until the Civil War came on to occupy men's thoughts and control their actions. With other patriotic young men of his community he enlisted in Battery B. Ohio Light Artillery, and served under the flag of the Union for a little more than three years, participating in numerous hard-fought engagements and establishing a record for bravery and faithful performance of duty. When his country no longer needed him he returned to the peaceful occupation of his fathers, and continued as an industrious tiller of the soil until his death, May 21, 1893. Malissa (Folden) Wilson was born in Walnut Township, Gallia County, Ohio, November 21, 1849, and still survives her husband, residing on the old home place in Mason township. She has been the mother of four children, namely: Scott W., James C, Louis G and Alfred D.
Scott W. Wilson attended the public schools of Mason Township until he reached the age of eighteen years, and at that time began to devote all his energies to farming. He was twenty-two years of age when he embarked in the threshing and sawmill business, but after four years disposed of his interests therein to enter his present line, that of real estate and insurance, in which he has met with marked success. During the ten years that he has been identified with this business he has built up a wide patronage, and at this time is the owner of seven residence properties at Ironton, his own home at Fifth and Park Avenues, an improved farm of 180 acres and a handsome fruit farm in Mason Township. His success has been gained through no happy chance, but by virtue of his own hard and unflagging labor, his comprehensive knowledge of land and realty values and an inherent ability for his chosen line of work. Mr. Wilson is a valued and active member of the Chamber of Commerce. A republican in politics, he has never found time to actively enter public affairs, except as a good citizen seeking to secure strong men and good measures for his community. With his family, he is a member of the Pine Street Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Wilson was married September 12, 1894. to Miss Osa Drummond, who died February 25,1911, aged thirty-three years, having been the mother of six children: Nina M., Hobart McKinley, James O., Hollace, Dorothea V. and Gretchen. Mr. Wilson's second marriage was to Miss Lou Price, November 15, 1911, she being a daughter of Kingston and Julia (Preston) Price, of Johnson County, Kentucky. Mr. Price was a groceryman and a soldier of the Civil War. Mrs. Julia (Preston) Price, who was born in Johnson County, Kentucky, died in 1878, having been the mother of six children: C. Line, Alice M., Lou, Jeremiah, Kingston F., Jr., and Jennie. Mr. Price was married the second time to Vina Mills, and they became the parents of two children: Mary J. and John. Mrs. Price died in 1893, and Mr. Price was married the third time to Martha Maynard, who died without issue in 1913.
From "A Standing History of the Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio" by Eugene B. Willard, Daniel W. Williams, George O. Newman and Charles B. Taylor. Published by Lewis Publishing Company, 1916