Livestock Breeding

"There will always be a warm welcome at Edellyn Farms for those who share our love for good Shorthorn cattle." This motto is printed on numerous ephemeral publications produced for the Wilson family farm. In addition to being a residence, Edellyn Farm was a working stock farm from the beginning. The farm specialized in high-grade harness and saddle horses, Clydesdale draft horses, and Shorthorn cattle.

The cover includes a black-and-white image of cattle grazing in a field at Edellyn Farm.
Cover of "The Shorthorn World: The Story of Edellyn Farms," circa 1948.

Thomas E. Wilson Family Collection, Box 27, Folder 11, Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Black-and-white photograph of ten Shorthorn cattle lined up in front of the main house on Edellyn Farm. The caption reads "There will always be a warm welcome at Edellyn Farms for those who share our love for good Shorthorn cattle."
Page from sale catalog for Edellyn Farms 27th Annual Sale of Scotch Shorthorn Cattle, 1952

Thomas E. Wilson Family Collection, Box 27, Folder 10, Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.

The main Edellyn Farm house is shown in the background.
Two-page spread about Thomas E. Wilson and Shorthorn cattle bred at Edellyn Farm. Includes a black-and-white formal photograph of Thomas E. Wilson who is a middle-aged white man with white hair wearing a dark suit and tie. Also includes three black-and-white photographs of cattle. Text begins "A beautiful landscape, good soil, a luxuriant growth of grass in timbered pastures in which grazes as good Shorthorns as can be assembled or produced and the beautiful home and farm of Thos. E. Wilson, president of Wilson & Co., is the treat for one's vision as he approaches Edellyn Farm, near Lake Forest, Ill.
Excerpt from "Chicago Shorthorn Cattle Club: Farms and Herds," undated

Thomas E. Wilson Family Collection, Box 2, Folder 1, Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Title reads "Builders of the Breed: A Man who Worked for and Earned High Promotion in the Business World Greatly Enjoys His Shorthorns."
Article about Shorthorn cattle breeding at Edellyn Farm in "The Shorthorn World and Farm Magazine," 1921

Thomas E. Wilson Family Collection, Box 27, Folder 2, Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Black-and-white photograph of 19 adolescent white boys gathered around a Shorthorn in a farm yard. The group stands in front of a large farm building with white shingle siding.
"Judging Shorthorns. Camp Wilson 1922."

Thomas E. Wilson Family Collection, Box 16, Folder 22, Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.

A young Edward Foss Wilson is shown holding the halter. Photograph by Hildebrand.
Breeding history of Shorthorn bull "Browndale Count." Includes a black-and-white photograph of the bull.
Excerpt from "The Story of Browndale Count," by Rank C. Forbes, circa 1930s

Thomas E. Wilson Family Collection, Box 27, Folder 7, Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Auction catalog includes a photograph of "Edellyn Royal Leader 43rd, Sold to Geo. W. Rossetter at the top of our 1947 sale."
Front cover of sale catalog for Edellyn Farms 23rd Annual Auction Scotch Shorthorn Cattle, 1948

Thomas E. Wilson Family Collection, Box 27, Folder 9, Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Black-and-white photograph of large crowd of auction sale attendees seated at long picnic tables. Trees and farm buildings visible in background. Caption reads "One of the most enjoyable events of the entire Shorthorn year is the lunch served at Edellyn Farms, Wilson, Illinois, on the occassion of the annual sale. On this day Mr. Thos. E. Wilson, ownder, is host to Shorthorn cattle lovers from every section of North America and frequently from foreign countries. Above is shown a part of the crowd partakin of the Edellyn hospitality."
Photograph of lunch being served on Edellyn Farm during the annual auction sale of Shorthorn cattle, 1948

Thomas E. Wilson Family Collection, Box 27, Folder 11, Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.

Photograph from The Shorthorn World: The Story of Edellyn Farms, circa 1948.
Two black-and-white photographs show growth of "Edellyn Royal Leader 100th." Opposite page depicts "International Grand Champion Carload Shorthorn Steers" in a pen and lists Shorthorns to be shown at 1919 and 1950 shows.
Excerpt from sale catalog for Edellyn Farms Silver Anniversary Sale Scotch Shorthorn Cattle, 1950

Thomas E. Wilson Family Collection, Box 27, Folder 10, Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Two page spread includes black-and-white photograph of Shorthorn being shown at auction, and Thomas E. Wilson standing with "Calrossie Mercury." Text includes general data about the annual sale, including date, time, directions to Edellyn Farm, and sale rules.
Excerpt from sale catalog for Edellyn Farms Silver Anniversary Sale Scotch Shorthorn Cattle, 1950

Thomas E. Wilson Family Collection, Box 27, Folder 10, Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Black-and-white photograph of Clydesdale and saddle horses lined up for show in a farm field, along with their handlers.
Edellyn Farm horses being shown during the T. E. Wilson Picnic for Employees of Wilson & Co., circa 1916-1918.

Thomas E. Wilson Family Collection, Box 29, Folder 11, Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Black-and-white photograph of Thomas E. Wilson riding saddle horse "Kentucky Choice." Kentucky Choice is a dark horse and is shown in profile. Thomas E. Wilson is a middle-aged white man wearing a light-colored riding suit and hat.
Thomas E. Wilson on horse, "Kentucky Choice," circa 1920s

Thomas E. Wilson Family Collection, Box 3, Folder 2, Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.

Photograph by Hildebrand.
Two black-and-white photographs of saddle horses and their handlers in a photo album.
Horses raised on Edellyn Farm, circa 1916-1918

Thomas E. Wilson Family Collection, Box 29, Folder 11, Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Two black-and-white photographs of Clydesdale horses and their handlers in a photo album: "Solid Silver, 3 years old, Dec. 1918" and "Merlin Prince, 2 years old." Photographs by Hildebrand.
Clydesdale horses raised on Edellyn Farm, 1918

Thomas E. Wilson Family Collection, Box 29, Folder 11, Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Seven black-and-white snapshots of horses on Edellyn Farm in a photo album. Horses are shown in farm fields with their handlers. One photograph shows Thomas E. Wilson with his children, presumably walking through an animal pen on the farm.
Photo album snapshots of horses on Edellyn Farm, circa 1916-1918

Thomas E. Wilson Family Collection, Box 29, Folder 11, Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
Three black-and-white snapshots of horses and their handlers on Edellyn Farm in a photo album. One Clydesdale horse is depicted, and two saddle horses: "Edellyn Burglar" [sp?] and "Kentucky Choice."
Photo album snapshots of horses on Edellyn Farm, circa 1916-1918

Thomas E. Wilson Family Collection, Box 29, Folder 11, Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.