Eliza Waugh Wilson (1824-1917)

WAUGH, WILSON, BOYD

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 2/14/2015 at 18:48:16

Jackson Sentinel, November 13, 1917

Obituary

Eliza Wilson, daughter of Isaac Waugh and Tamzen Boyd, passed away at the Old Ladies' Home, Saturday, November 10 at 1 o'clock a.m., after an illness of many months at the great age of 93 years, 8 months and 26 days. Her father being an officer in the Coast Guard of Great Britain at the time of her advent, was stationed on the island of Valentia, County Kerry, Ireland, Jan. 26, 1824, being the date of her birth. Eighty-six years ago, 1831, the family emigrated to the New World, taking passage on a sailing vessel, and a voyage of upward of six weeks, the little craft made its way through the Gulf of St. Lawrence, up the river of the same name to Quebec, where they disembarked, and from whence they journeyed to western Pennsylvania where they carved themselves a home out of wilderness.

In 1850 she was united in marriage at Mercer, Pa, to Nathaniel Wilson, who preceded her to the other shore in 1892. In 1856 they left Pennsylvania for the State of Iowa, which was then the mecca of Pennsylvanians, and by rail, steamboat and stage, finally arrived at Galena, crossed the river at Smith's Ferry and headed for the village of Maquoketa. Here they were unable to find a house, and turned back to the thriving little town of Bridgeport, going in about a year to the county capital, Andrew, which remained their home until well toward the close of the Civil War, when they moved to Maquoketa.

The children who were the fruit of their union are: Mrs. Melissa Wright, Mrs. G. L. Johnson and Frank A. Wilson, all of Maquoketa; Lee H. of Los Angeles, James D. of St. Louis, Mrs. B. F. Reeve, deceased, and infant twins who died in Pennsylvania; two brothers, Charles of Zion City, Illinois, and Edaward of Maquoketa; two sisters, Mary Irwin of Sioux City and Mrs. George Kiser of Clarion County, Pa, survive her. Also four grandchildren and four great-granchildren.

The funeral took place from the G. L. Johnson home Monday, November 12, at 2:30, Rev. H. C. Roissier, officiating. Interment was at Mount Hope cemetery.