Nathaniel Wilson, a much respected citizen of Tilden Township, is a native of the State Indiana (Hoosier), was born July 12, 1835 in Hamilton County. He is the youngest of thirteen children of Samuel and Ruth (Thornburgh) Wilson, natives of North Carolina and grew to manhood in the county where he was born. When he had attained his majority he began farming for himself in Hamilton County and remained there until 1864.
In the year of 1859 Sept 7 he was married to Ann Clayton, daughter of Evan and Mary (Mills) Clayton, natives of North Carolina and Ohio respectively. Mrs. Wilson was born in Hamilton County, Indiana Jan. 9, 1842. Eleven children were born to this union.
1. Asenath C. (wife of James Andrews) born May 3, 1860, died November 20, 1942
2. Milton L. born Feb. 26, 1862, died May 20, 1862 (3 mo. old)
3. Andrew F., born Dec. 25, 1863, died Nov. 26, 1932
4. Alvin E. (married Anna Moyer) born May 13, 1866, died Oct. 30, 1949
5. Mary Adeline born April 2, 1868, died Feb. 6, 1885
6. Sarah A. (married Garlinghouse, divorced then married Ed. Zimmerman) She was born Sept. 10, 1869, died April 4, 1958
7. Albert (married Bertha Clabaugh) born Jan. 17, 1873, died May 14, 1957
8. Emma (married Rev. Austin Osborne) born Oct. 12, 1874, died Oct. 12, 1939
9. Martha E. (married Louis Miller) born May 8, 1876, died Sept. 29, 1917
10. Ida M. (married Charles Brown) born May 7, 1878, died Jan. 5, 1935
11. Bertha (married Charles Evans) born April 19, 1880, died May 21, 1968

In 1864 Mr. Wilson removed his family to Leavenworth, Kansas and remained there until 1876 when he came to Iowa and located in Marshall County, Iowa. After three years had gone by he moved to Grundy County, Iowa and made his home there until 1884 when he came to Cherokee, County, Iowa. He owns a farm of 320 acres in Tilden township, Iowa, which he purchased in 1882. It was a raw tract of unimproved and through Mr. Wilson's efforts it has been brought under cultivation.
The first residence he erected was blown away in a cyclone June 14, 1885 and he rebuilt upon the same foundation, except the kitchen which was enlarged. He has also erected the best buildings for stock and grain and has planted six acres of trees. In a few years he has done much to improve the township.
He is wellworthy of the esteem and honor in which he is held by a wide circle of acquaintances. Mr. Wilson devotes his time and attention to farming, stock raising and shipping. He takes pride in the propagation of better grades of livestock.
Politically he is affiliated with the Republican Party and is the present trustee of Tilden Township.
He and his family are members of the Society of Friends Church. He has been assisted in all his labors by his wife, a woman of ability and his efforts have been amply rewarded in the peace and plenty that they now enjoy.
He passed away April 16, 1916. She passed away Aug. 14, 1921. Both are buried in the Marcus, Iowa Cemetery.

Ida Mabel Wilson and Charles Warren Brown were married Feb. 4, 1898 in Marshall County, Iowa. She passed away Jan. 1935 and he 1963.
This farm in Tilden Township is seven and a half miles south of Marcus.