Augustus M. Wilson was a self-made man who lived in Collin County nearly his whole life and gave his fortune to needy community members. Born in 1845 in Tennessee, he moved with his parents and six siblings to Collin County in 1849 and lived on his family farm in the Ash Grove community, six miles north of McKinney. The modest two-room log house built by his father later gained three rooms after Wilson inherited the farm, and he invested money from his crops in land, as well as in stocks, bonds, and railroads. Although he became very rich, he rejected a wealthy lifestyle and continued to live simply, dressing as a hardworking farmer. An avid traveler, he said he never missed a world's fair except the 1933 Chicago Century of Progress. He became known for philanthropy toward county residents, often paying off the debts of hardworking farmers and their families, and stories about the bachelor of Collin County and the fortune he was giving away spread around the country. After articles about him were published, he received hundreds of marriage proposals in the mail, but he never married. Religious and generous regardless of denomination, he gave money to several churches, built a school building with room for three teachers and a library, and also gave automobiles to friends. He died at age 90 and was buried in the Wilson family burial grounds next to his home. By the time of his death, he had given away almost all of his money, estimated at $800,000, and in 1935 the Texas State Senate hung his portrait in the senate chamber to honor his philanthropic service to Collin County.