Beautiful Adams County, senic country of rolling hills, Amish community and farms. Wilson homestead listed with the National Register of Historical Places. Home of Adams County Civil War Days. On a hill in a small hamlet – Tranquility, Ohio – stands a stately homestead built by a historically famous Adams Countian – John T. The Homestead was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 19
76 and listed on the State Underground Railroad as a stopover for escaping slaves. Adams County—Merchant, Soldier, Statesman, Banker, Philanthropist
John T. Wilson lived a full life in the 1800s, yet most people have forgotten his accomplishments. However, a number of things still exist from his endeavors; the Wilson Children’s Home used today at West Union, the Civil War Soldiers’ Monument paid for in his will, the worthy poor fund for Adams County residents capitalized in 1891 for $150,000.00, the hamlet named by him of Tranquility near Seaman, and his brick home being restored—a stately landmark in Tranquility. Wilson’s early to mid-life was reserved but industrious as a local store merchant. He was a fervent abolitionist and known in later years as a conductor on the Underground Railroad helping slaves escape oppression. As the tensions grew intense, building up to the Civil War, Wilson became an outspoken activist in keeping the Union intact and abolishing slavery. He was so committed to the cause he took all of his available monies and invested them in Union bonds. As the war drew near, he approached Colonel Cockerill of West Union in forming a local group to be called Company E of the 70th Volunteer Ohio infantry. In the fall of 1861 he had mustered 62 Scotch and Irish descendents and other locals from the area. Even though Wilson walked with a limp from an earlier injury, at age 51 he led the men to Camp Hamer at West Union where they trained into the early winter of 1861. The 70th Infantry later marched and traveled by steamboat to Pittsburg Landing on the Tennessee River. Company E fought at that site in the April 5/6 bloody battle of Shiloh. Historians have indicated that Wilson led his men into battle and held things together as a Captain for the two-day confrontation during many horrific skirmishes of cannon fire and close combat. He later became ill in the march to Cornith and rejoined the Company in early November of 1862; however, his health had deteriorated that the officers felt he could better serve the Union at the home front. He resigned his commission in November 1862. Upon his return to the Tranquility community, Wilson was elected to serve two terms as a State Senator followed by three terms as a United States Congressional Representative. It is said by people in His districts of the time that He represented them honestly and very openly. His wise banking and investing and other endeavors allowed Him to accumulate a wealth of over $550,000.00 to be the richest man in Adams County at his death in 1891. His will stipulated that all of His wealth go to worthy causes, certain colleges, and worthy individuals and close friends. Wilson was a man of service, success and most importantly, a self-made person that few can emulate today. Ralph J. Alexander
