Wilson Farm history

After graduating from Swarthmore College in 1904, he worked on engineering projects in many places around eastern United States.

David and Ruth Anna moved to Elda Farm in 1907 after the death of Winfield's mother in 1907.

They married in 1911 and had four children: William West, Jr. (Billy), Ruthanna, David, and Conrad.

About 1920, James Alexander turned his farm over to his two sons, Walter and Stanley.

Their son Arthur was born in 1921 and can remember the first farm team as a mule and a crippled mare as well as one of the first crops, which was corn for the livestock.

After my grandfather, David Wilson, died in 1925, his widow Ruth Anna ran Elda Farm with the help of only two old men.

Until the family bought a tractor in 1937, clearing the land was always a lengthy task.

Don and Alan Wilson, aided by their wives, Betty and Lynne, built our first farm stand in 1952.

Aerial view of Sutherland-Wilson Farmstead, 1958 Click image to enlarge.

Most of our fields at the farm went fallow and, in 1959, my father and Uncle Windy sold the property.

After health issues prevented Robert M. Wilson from actively operating the family farm, Robert C. Wilson returned to farm in 1971 and began operating it as a grain farm which today is spread across Lapeer, Macomb, and St Clair Counties.

In 1996 – after closing a mere two hours early to make the move! – the barn was introduced to the community in a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by town Selectmen, the entire Wilson family, and lots of friends.

Ernest and his wife, Delia Rheinfrank Sutherland had an only child, Mildred who married Arthur Wilson; their son, Harold and his wife Mary Roy Wilson continued to live in the beautiful old farm house until 2000.