WILLIAM WILGUS, SR., one of Lost Creek Township's most substantial farmers and business men, is the owner of 250 acres of well improved farm land, located about ten miles northeast of Troy, on the Lost Creek Extension Pike. He was born on this farm, June 20, 1837, and is a son of Thomas and Hannah (Robinson) Wilgus, and a grandson of William Wilgus. The members of the family were in early days Quakers and have long been established on American soil.

William Wilgus, the grandfather, was born in New Jersey and was a tailor by trade. At an early date he moved with his family to Cincinnati Ohio, in wagons. Not liking that city, he started to make the return trip to New Jersey. About four miles east of Lebanon, in Warren County, Ohio, he encountered a Quaker settlement and one of his horses dying while there, it was necessary for him to remain for the winter. Being himself a Quaker and the surroundings and people congenial, he finally decided to make this his home. He purchased the farm of 120 acres on which he first stopped, and for a period of eighty years this farm continued in the Wilgus name. He carried on his trade for a number of years and engaged in raising horses extensively, meeting with very good success. About the year 1833 he came to Miami County, Ohio, and with his son, Thomas, purchased a farm of 320 acres in Lost Creek Township, of which a part now forms the home place of the subject of this sketch. He also purchased three other quarter sections for his other sons in Miami County. However, he continued to make his home in Warren County until his death, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. His wife, Elizabeth Wright in maiden life, died some years before. They had the following children: Thomas; William; Dr. Samuel; James; Daniel; Henrietta; Angeline, wife of M. McKinley; Mary, wife of Joseph Nedrey; Lydia, wife of William Dunan; and Harriett, wife of Arnold Sabin. All of this family are now deceased.

Thomas Wilgus, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in New Jersey and was a baby of about three years when he was brought by his parents to Warren County, Ohio. There he grew to manhood and was married, living there until he and his father purchased the half section of land in Lost Creek Township in 1834. He received a fair education in the district schools, and his son, William, now has in his possession a book his father used in figuring when in school. He became a successful farmer and affluent citizen in Miami County. His first marriage was consummated October 28, 1830, and was with Miss Anna Hunt, who died October 2, 1834, about three weeks after their arrival in Miami County. They had two children: John, deceased; and Mary, deceased wife of John Babb, who also is deceased. Mr. Wilgus formed a second union with Hannah Robinson, who was one of four children brought from New Jersey by their widowed mother. Four children were born to them: William; Michael, who resides at Casstown; Thomas, of Fletcher, Miami County; and Anna, deceased wife of H. Brecount. Mr. Wilgus died in March, 1885, having survived his wife about two years.

William Wilgus has always resided in Lost Creek Township. He attended the district schools and when young began helping his father on the home farm. After his marriage he started out for himself by buying of his father 100 acres, which is now being farmed by his son, Carl. Later he and his brother, John, purchased the interests of the heirs to the home farm, and finally he bought out the latter. He has followed general farming and stock-raising and has been more than ordinarily successful. The house which stands on the farm, the largest on this road, was erected by his father in 1862 to replace, the one destroyed by fire. The other structures on the place are in keeping with it, and makes it one of the best improved farms in the township. He is a Republican in politics and has served several years on the school board. He was for twelve years a member of the Miami Agricultural Board.

September 6, 1864, Mr. Wilgus was united in marriage with Miss Mary Throckmorton, a daughter of George and Sarah (Lafferty) Throckmorton, who were of Quaker families and came west from New Jersey to Warren County, Ohio. The following children blessed this union: Howard, of Clark County, Ohio, who married Delia Jenkins and has two children, Horace and Lucile; Sallie, wife of Daniel Drake, of Lost Creek Township, by whom she has a son, Harry; Hannah, who married Frank Lane and lives in Fletcher; Lydia, who is teaching in the high school at Franklin, Ohio; Carl, a twin, who married Clara Pruden and has one child, Virginia; Carrie, a twin to Carl, who lives at home; Ellen, wife of Lewis Roberts, of Michigan; and three who died in infancy. Religiously, the subject of this sketch is a Methodist and a member of Wesley Chapel, which was started by his father on the Wilgus estate.