John Wilson Sr.

WILSON

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 9/4/2022 at 11:48:26

Columbus Gazette, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Thursday, October 10, 1907
page 1

John Wilson Sr. - The funeral of this former Louisa county resident and early settler occurred at Letts, Wednesday forenoon. This was John Wilson, sr., who came here with his family early in the 70's. He owned a farm and lived for many years in concord township at the place now occupied by his son, Robert. Mr. Wilson's death was an accidental one a peculiarly sad. For a number of years he has made his home with his son, John Wilson,jr. who lives in Muscatine. He was an extremely old man and he and all his sons were making great preparations to celebrate his ninety-fourth birthday on Wednesday. Mr. Wilson, himself, looked forward to the happy event with peculiar satisfaction. On Sunday evening he strolled out to visit a friend, a Mr. Musser, who lived near. Not finding him at home he went to another's and spent a pleasant hour talking over old times and started to his home. He was seen on the way walking along the railroad tracks, but then dropped out of sight. An all night search proved in vain and it was not until morning that his lifeless body was found in the river. The water was not over two feet deep and grown up with weeds and grass. No marks of violence were found on his body and the only conclusion is that he met a train, became bewildered and fell into the river where he perished thorough exposure or by drowning. He was the father of three sons, Robert, William and John, jr. William Wilson is our well know county supervisor. Mr. Wilson was a wonderfully well preserved old gentleman and a man with many friends and no enemies. He was buried in Letts cemetery by the side of his wife who died many years ago.