To Jack Wilson, "it didn't seem like I was that old!"  But he was and friends and family gathered at the Jewell Community Center on Sunday, Aug. 6, to remind him of the fact.  The group enjoyed cake and cookies as part of the celebration.

It was on Aug. 7, 1933, that Jack was born to James "Jack" and Hazel Dyas Wilson. Born in Beloit, he grew up on the family farm four miles east and two north of Jewell. He had two older brothers, George,17 years older, and Robert, 14 years older.

Wilson still owns the farm where he grew up. Though 90 years old, he is not totally retired. He "has something to get up for" as he takes care of his cows every day. 

Growing up on the farm meant attending country school, actually three of them.  Paradise School District No. 34 was where he started to first grade. It was also where his older brothers, George and Robert had attended. Venda Leigh Hunter was his first-grade teacher. Another Paradise teacher was Hazel Wildman Bohnert. 

When Paradise closed, Wilson went to Pleasant Valley District No. 31, then to Hillsdale District No. 58 before entering Jewell Elementary for his eighth grade year. Then it was on to Jewell High School where he graduated with the Class of 1951.

After he graduated from high school, he kept right on working on the family farm. "My dad needed me."  With his dad's death in 1954, he was on his own and has been ever since.

He "missed out" on farming with horses and mules. The first tractor he farmed with was his dad's 1937 John Deere A. Then a John Deere G was purchased in 1948.  In 1950 came the Farmall M, purchased in Jewell and still on the Wilson farm. There are many hours on the old tractor but it never went far from where it was purchased.

Wilson stayed on the farm and with it as a base, helped to rear six children. Greg, Bruce, Ferris, Melinda, Monte and Mark. Then came the 15 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren!

When asked what his future plans were, Wilson said, "I don't plan very far ahead. I'm 90 you know!"