Three Forks of the Kentucky River Historical Association

Biography

James B. Wilson

Submitted by Theda Bowman Partin

JAMES BLAINE WILSON, known as Blaine, was born November 4, 1884. His mother, Mary Jane Combs Eversole was married to Robert Eversole, who died when their two daughters, Lula and Collie were babies. In 1881 Mary Jane married Robert Strong Wilson and they had 6 daughters and Blaine, their second child and only son.

Blaine received a grade school education at Royal Oak School, Sturgeon, Owsley County, Kentucky. On October 25, 1901, he enlisted in the army for three years. during which time, he served in the Spanish American war. From January 26, 1902 to April 4, 1903, Blaine was stationed in the Philippines. While there, he contracted malaria and was very ill. After recovering, Blaine served in Japan before he was honorably discharged at Fort Meade, S. Dakota on October 24, 1904.

Blaine Wilson returned home to Sturgeon and started farming. On May 19, 1905, he married Sarah Martha Brewer, daughter of Valentine S. and Sarah Jane Wilson Brewer. The Wilson family owned a small storehouse on their property and that's where Blaine and Martha set up housekeeping. Their first child was born in that home in October 1906. Shortly thereafter, Martha's father gave them $50.00 to build a home. They built a two room house and later added a lean-to on the back of the house. They had a total of eight children, one daughter dying when she was four years of age.

Blaine continued to buy more land to farm and ran a furniture store for a time, which enabled him to build a larger home for his growing family. He and Martha were still living in that house when they both died. Blaine was a gentle, soft-spoken man and well loved by his children and grandchildren.

Martha Wilson died June 27, 1963. Six months later, on January 7, 1964, Blaine died in his living room of a heart attack. They were both members of the Missionary Baptist Church.