The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 319 JOHN C. WILSON. John C. Wilson, owner of one of the fine ranch properties of Kittitas county, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of rich and valuable land, annually gathers abundant golden harvests by reason of the care and attention which he bestows upon his place. He comes to the northwest from Towa, his birth having occurred in Lee county, that state, on the 8th of August, 1858. He is a son of Robert and Mary E. (Mills) Wilson. The father was born in England, while the mother's birth occurred in Ohio and they became pioneer residents of Iowa, where they settled in the early '50s. They removed to Scotland county Missouri in 1872 and there both the father and mother remained until called to their final rest. John C. Wilson acquired a public school education, supplemented by study in the State Normal School at Kirksville, Missouri, from 1876 until 1878. He afterward engaged in farming in Missouri for a period of six years and in the spring of 1885 made his way to the Pacific coast, settling in California. In August of the same year, however, he proceeded northward to the Kittitas valley, where he purchased land and also took up a desert claim of three hundred and twenty acres. He has since sold all of this property, however, save one hundred and sixty acres, which he has converted into rich and productive fields upon which he annually raises good crops of grain and of hay. He has improved his farm in many ways and is today the owner of an excellent ranch upon which are found good buildings and all modern accessories and conveniences. Mr. Wilson has been married twice. In 1887 he wedded Artilda A. Tribblecock, a native of Iowa, who passed away in December, 1991. In 1901 Mr. Wilson was again married, his second union being with Isabelle Murray, of Ellensburg. The children of the first marriage are: Clyde W., who died in 1912; and Grace A., the wife of William Evans, residing at Sunnyside. Washington. Two children have also been born of the second marriage: Mildred M., twelve years of age; and Helen E., aged eight. The family attend the Presbyterian church. Mr. Wilson is a republican in politics but has never been an office seeker. He has, however, served as a member of the school board and the cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion. He has not sought, however, to figure in public affairs, content to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business, with which he was actively identified until a recent date, when he rented his land and is now practically living retired, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly merits. ******************************** Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in December 2007 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.