H. Bailey Wilson, born on January 16, 1823, in Spartanburg District, South Carolina, was a prominent farmer and early contributor to the development of his county. He was the sixth child of James and Prudy (Harris) Wilson. After receiving his education in Georgia, he married Louisa E. Strickland of Chattooga County in 1842. They had seven children, with only William M. and Marian A. surviving. Wilson settled in the area in 1859, owning 520 acres of land with sixty acres under cultivation. A respected community member, he was involved in the Agricultural Wheel and was a Democrat. His contributions to the community were honored by naming the township after him.
H. Bailey Wilson, farmer, deserves much more than passing mention in the present volume, as one who has been intimately and worthily identified with the county’s progress and advancement from an early period. He was born in Spartanburg District, S.C., January 16, 1823, and was the sixth child of James and Prudy (Harris) Wilson, the former a native of Georgia, who died June 10, 1838, in that state. His father was Newman Wilson. Prudy (Harris) Wilson was born near Knoxville, Tenn., and became the mother of nine children. H. Bailey Wilson received his education in Georgia, and upon arriving at maturity, married Miss Louisa E. Strickland of Chattooga County, in 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were the parents of seven children, only two living at the present time: William M. and Marian A. Mr. Wilson is one of the oldest and most respected citizens of this county, having located in this settlement in 1859. He owns 520 acres of land and has about sixty acres under cultivation. He is a member of the Agricultural Wheel and a Democrat in politics. This township was named in his honor, and it is but the truth to say that such distinction is well-deserved, for he has interested himself greatly in the welfare of the community and has liberally supported worthy institutions.