"An Illustrated history of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties : with a brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon." Chicago?: Western Historical Pub. Co., 1902. p. 487. Grant Co. PRIOR S. WILSON Deceased. To the memory of the esteemed gentleman, and intrepid pioneer, whose name is at the head of this article, we are constrained to grant this memorial, since to his labors, Grant county is much indebted for development and augmenting its quota of wealth, while his life of uprightness and display of sound principles were a worthy example to those who are left to follow. Mr. Wilson was the son of John and Mahala Wilson and was born in Holt county, Missouri, on April 25, 1843. There he passed his early life and then came to Linn county with his parents, where he completed his education. It was about 1860 that he came to Umatilla county with his parents, who settled there and opened a dairy and also operated a pack train from Umatilla to Baker City. Much of their packing was done at night, as the burdens were largely composed of butter. Later he engaged in stock business and it was as early as 1870 that he came to Grant county. He wrought with wisdom and energy and his labors were crowned with success. On July 20, 1899, he was called from the scenes of his labors and victories to the world beyond the veil. He was universally beloved and respected. His remains lie buried in the Monument cemetery. His widow, Mrs. Sarah J. Wilson and four children were left to mourn his demise. He was a prominent member of the A.F. & A.M., and was always active in politics, being a real leader in that realm. Mrs. Wilson's marriage with the deceased occurred on October 6, 1881, and the names of her children are as follows: Mahala, wife of Thomas Brirly, of Ione; Eppa; Chauncey; Lottie C.; Previous to this last marriage Mrs. Wilson was the wife of Isaac Violett and by that marriage she had four children: Endora, wife of James Anderson, formerly of Harney county, but now living in Monument; Mary M., wife of Edward Keeney, of Harney county; Homer, deceased; Helen, wife of Joseph Woolery, of Ione, a merchant. Her marriage to Isaac Violett occurred in Linn county, Oregon, in 1862, and soon following this they removed to Wasco county and took up general merchandising there until October 6, 1870, when they removed to Grant county and engaged in the stock business, in which they were laboring when the death of Mr. Violett occurred in 1874. Mrs. Wilson's parents were Daniel and Clarissa (Perry) Minkler, and natives of Indiana and New York, respectively. Mrs. Wilson is living in Monument and is well esteemed by all. She has an elegant residence, owned the land on which the village was built, owns the leading hotel of the town, which is rented, also a livery and feed stable which she is operating, and three large farms near by. Her land is well improved and the one adjoining the town is very valuable. She displays marked wisdom in managing her large interests and is to be commended upon both her ability as a financier and keen foresight coupled with excellent executive force. She has large bands of stock and is counted as one of the most successful operators in that line in the county. When a child, she accompanied her parents across the plains, making the entire distance with ox teams. They settled in Clackamas county in 1849, where the father was engaged in farming until the time of his death a few years later. The aged mother is still living in Monument. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in December 2005 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.