[3][4][5] Wilson and his wife, Eleanor Coyle McCormack had originally immigrated to America from Scotland in 1866.

[4] His operation eventually included employee housing, a company store, railroad depot, and a post office.

[4] Soon Wilson's Mill gained control of the Santee River logging scene and an eight mile long railroad into Santee Swamp, connecting with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad from Sumter to Charleston was built.

[2] By 1891, the supply of trees for timber in the area was exhausted and Wilson closed the mill operation and moved away.

[4] After the sawmill closed, the community of Wilson turned to agriculture as its primary economic pursuit, with tobacco being the profitable crop.