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Isaac H. Wilson
"Uncle" Isaac H. Wilson, as he is familiarly known throughout Shelby County, was born in Jefferson County, Ind., May 20, 1807, and was the son of James and Nancy (McCarty) Wilson. William Wilson, his paternal grandfather, was a native of Virginia. He, with four brothers, entered the Colonial Army in the War for Independence, and was the only one who survived that severe struggle. He married in Virginia, a Miss McKay, and came to Franklin County, Ind., a number of years before the State was organized. James Wilson, father of Isaac H., was born near the James River, in the Old Dominion, in 1779. He came when a young man to Jefferson County about 1800. He met and married Nancy McCarty in 1801. They then removed to Franklin County, where the family resided until November, 1818, whence they came to what is now known as Shelby County. He died here February 5, 1824. His wife, and the mother of the subject of our sketch, was a native of Nelson County, Kentucky, born February 24, 1785, and died in Adams County, Ill., December 30, 1874. Isaac, at the time of his father's death, was nearly seventeen years old. In the fall of 1825, he came to Shelbyville and engaged to learn the cabinet maker's trade with Jacob Shank, with whom he remained five years. Portions of the four following years he spent in the south investing the money he had earned in government lands which he still owns. September 26, 1836, Rebecca A. Montgomery became his wife. She bore him six children, four of whom are now living, Martha A., Susan E., Sarah Z., and J. Marshall. James W. died at the age of thirty-three in 1881. He lost his beloved wife in 1860. He was elected Treasurer of Shelby County in 1854, and served one term. In after years, he was elected Trustee of Addison Township, and served a number of terms. He was also elected Assessor of the same township, serving two terms. Uncle Isaac is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is a conscientious Christian gentleman. He is the repository of county lore and tradition, and the publishers of this history seek this opportunity of thanking him for many past favors. Biography Index
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