John Edgar Wilson 1884-1942

WILSON, ELLIOTT, ELLIOT, CATTRELL, TIFFT, NOEL, CLOWE, SMITH

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 1/18/2014 at 19:01:00

J.E. Wilson Badly Injured
Arm Mangled in Mechanical Cornpicker
Fear He May Be Hurt Internally
J.E. Wilson, for many years a prominent baker here, was critically injured at 9:30 this morning when he fell on a power takeoff of a mechanical cornpicker at his farm two miles north of Superior.

His physician said this afternoon that it has not been ascertained whether he has internal injuries but he is suffering many external cuts and a broken collar bone. His left arm, apparently having been caught in the takeoff, was badly torn and cut and he suffered abrasions on the head and body.

Clothes Torn Off
All of Wilson’s clothes were torn from him but his shoes as the takeoff whirled and threw him until the power could be turned off.

Lawrence Reinesch, employed at the Wilson farm, was working with the injured man at the time of the accident and as soon as Wilson became entangled he rushed to the tractor to turn it off.

Together with William Logan and Tom Walsh, neighboring farmers, Reinesch brought Wilson to Estherville as phone calls were placed at the same time to have a physician ready at the Coleman hospital, where he now is under care. The neighbors were called in to help get Wilson into the Reinesch car.

Falls on Takeoff
Reinesch said that he and Wilson were operating the picker and that Wilson had gone to the tractor to pull it away from a filled wagon of corn on which Reinesch was standing. As he was going to get onto the tractor he slipped and fell on the power takeoff.

The full extent of Wilson’s injuries have not been ascertained and attendants do not yet know how serious the accident will prove.

Since closing the Estherville bakery here, which he operated for many years, serving a wide territory in northern Iowa and southern Minnesota, Wilson has devoted much of his time to farming interests. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, November 3, 1942)

J.E. Wilson Succumbs To His Injuries
No Arrangements for Funeral Yet
J.E. Wilson, 58, Estherville, died yesterday at 6 p.m. in the Coleman hospital from injuries suffered yesterday morning when he fell on a power takeoff of a mechanical cornpicker at his farm two miles north of Superior.

He was conscious only part of the time after he was brought to the hospital here, suffering not only from many injuries but severe shock.

Born in Kansas
John Edward Wilson, son of Albert and Emma Cattrell Wilson, was born Sept. 1, 1884, near Holton, Kans. he attended school in Kansas. He was married to Ethel Elliot at Holton, Kans., and she died several years ago.

In 1917 the Wilsons came to Estherville and Mr. Wilson began the operation of a bakery in the building which now is occupied by the Gift Garden.

In 1922 he built the building which now is occupied by Crawford Brothers store, and used that building to house his bakery business which was known in Estherville and vicinity as Wilson’s bakery. Less than a year ago he sold out his bakery and equipment to his son, Woodrow, and H.L. Hoffman.

Had Farm Interest
He has had farming interests and several years ago built the Heneman Motor company garage building, the Silverberg and Strube store buildings, and the bakery plant and present location of the Dutch Maid bake shop.

In 1934 he married Evah Tifft at Estherville.

He is a member of the Methodist church and the Masonic lodge, served as president of the Chamber of Commerce, and took a prominent part in community activities.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his son, Woodrow Wilson, of Fargo, N.D., and one daughter, Mrs. Robert Noel, of Bloomington, Ill., who arrived here yesterday; also one brother, Clarence Wilson of Weim, Wash., and two aunts and uncles, who are living in Kansas. No funeral arrangements have been made pending word from the brother. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, November 4, 1942)

J.E. Wilson Dead of Corn-Picker Injureis
Prominent Local Man Mangled
Was Assisting on Farm Near Superior; Funeral Arrangements Awaiting Arrival of Brother
Tragedy the ever present threat to the farmer during the harvest season, struck here Tuesday, taking the life of J.E. Wilson, 65, retired Estherville business man. Mr. Wilson since giving up his bakery business in this city, has assisted in the work on his farm. On the morning when the accident occurred which resulted in his death he was driving the tractor pulling the corn picking machine.

In some manner as he was getting onto the tractor he slipped and fell on the power-driving mechanism. Lawrence Reinesch, employed on the farm, was working with Mr. Wilson and turned off the power as quickly as humanly possible. He hastened to get a knife to cut the unfortunate man’s clothing free from the machine and then with the assistance of William Logan and Tom Walsh, neighbors, loaded the badly injured man into his car and brought him to the Coleman hospital where a doctor awaited.

Although Mr. Wilson suffered broken bones and badly lacerated flesh, his death was caused by internal injuries to his chest.

Mr. Wilson was very well known in business and social circles in Estherville. He was uniformly respected and esteemed for his sterling worth.

His untimely death is mourned by the entire community as well as by his wife, a daughter, Mrs. Robert Noel of Bloomington, Ill., a son, Woodrow Wilson of Fargo, No. Dak., one brother, Clarence Wilson of Yelm, Wash., two sisters, Mrs. F.M. Clowe and Mrs. Anna Smith and brother-in-law Clarence C. Cattrell of Holton, Kansas.
Funeral services will be held at the Methodist church of which Mr. Wilson was a member but the time is indefinite awaiting word from the brother. Mr. Wilson belonged to North Star Lodge A.F. and A.M. , Jeptha Chapter and to Esdraelon Commandery. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, November 5, 1942)

Wilson Funeral Services Saturday
Funeral services for J.E. Wilson, who died Tuesday night, will be held Saturday afternoon at 1:30 from the Wilson home and at 2:30 in the Methodist church with the Rev. F.W. Ortmeyer officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Hill cemetery. Pall bearers will be George Robb, Roy Burt, Irwin Robinson, Fred Robinson, G.C. Tostenson and Edward Ziemer. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, November 5, 1942)