WILLIAM WILLSON is a prominent business man of Claysville, Washington county. His paternal grandfather was a native of the Emerald Isle, where he married, and soon afterward with his wife and child immigrated to America. He first went to Philadelphia, and some time later moved to Dauphin county, Penn., remaining there until his death. He had three children: James (a tailor and clothier in Philadelphia, Penn.), Elizabeth (Mrs. William Rogers) and William. After the death of her father, Mrs. Rogers lived with her brother James for some time, and then moved with her husband to Ohio, where she died. William Willson was born March 18, 1789, in Dauphin county, Penn., and there learned the wheelwright's trade, which he afterward followed in both Dauphin and Washington counties. He enlisted in the war of 1812, participating in the battle of Baltimore, and served until the close of the war, when he came to Washington county and bought a small tract of land in Buffalo township, where the remainder of his life was passed. On October 10, 1822, he was united in marriage with Rachel, daughter of James Keer, of Buffalo township, and their children were as follows: Elizabeth, Jane, James, Margaret (Mrs. Thomas Hodgens), John M., Mary (Mrs. George M. Warick), Emily, Rachel, and William. Mr. Willson was an intelligent and active business man. Politically he was a Democrat, and filled various township offices. In religion he was an ardent worker in and a trustee of the Presbyterian Church at Claysville. His wife died August 2, 1848, and he was laid beside her April 27, 1869. William Willson (subject of our sketch) was born May 9, 1843, in Buffalo township, Washington Co., Penn., and attended the common schools of the township until about seventeen years of age, when he entered the employ of a builder and contractor. He remained with this man until he had mastered the various details of that business, and at the age of twenty-two years engaged with Alexander Buchanan in general contracting, which he continued for some time with marked success. Mr. Willson then began business for himself, and soon became one of the best architects and builders of his locality. He possessed very original ideas, and soon studied out entirely new designs, some of which were models of grace. After following this business for several years, he entered into partnership with D. M. Campsey in a general hardware store. They remained together about ten years, when Mr. Willson united with J. W. Barnes in the grocery business; two years later, Mr. Barnes sold his share of the property to the present partner of Mr. Willson, and they now carry a full line of goods, and conduct the largest grocery in Claysville. On October 6, 1868, Mr. Willson was united in marriage with Sadie C., daughter of Dr. John McCabe, of Buffalo township, this county. They have no children. He has ever favored all public enterprises which tended to advance the common interests, and in political views he is an active worker in the Democratic party. In church connection, he is an earnest worker in the Presbyterian Church at Claysville, being especially interested in the Sunday-school, in which he is an officer.

Text taken from page 1415 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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