Sarah Jane (Murphey) Wilson (1913)

MURPHEY, PINKERTON, WILSON

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 9/5/2006 at 22:08:08

Des Moines Capital
Des Moines, Iowa
Thursday, March 17, 1913

Sarah Jane Wilson, daughter of Robert and Sarah Murphey, was born in Henry county, Indiana, November 11, 1831. She was one of a family of twelve children, ten of whom lived to have homes of their own. She had a liberal education, was always a great reader, and until her last illness was intelligently in touch with current world history. On October 18, 1852, she was united in marriage with Milton Wilson of Milton, Indiana.

In 1856 she and her husband moved to Madison county, Iowa. Many travelers in those early days found the blessings of hospitality in the Wilson home. They helped to set a high standard for society and education in the then new state. They entered several hundred acres of Iowa's richest land.

In 1867 the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railroad extended west from Des Moines, and those having charge of the platting and naming of a new town met at the Wilson home, and Mr. and Mrs. Wilson had the honor of naming the new town, Earlham. They moved from their farm to the town of Earlham in 1875.

Mrs. Wilson was an active member of the Friends church, of the W.C.T.U. [Women's Christian Temperance Union], and was for ten years superintendent of Sunday school. She served as a member of the board of education, and also was the only woman member of the board of trustees of Earlham academy.

Mrs. Wilson was very literary in her tastes, and frequently wrote for the public press. She lived a sweet, practical Christian life, a life of deeds rather than words.

In March, 1900, the family moved from Earlham, Iowa, to Des Moines, where they have since resided. After sixty years of happy wedded life her husband passed beyond three months ago March 14th. After his death she went to Oklahoma City to spend the winter in the milder southern climate. She was gaining in good cheer and physical strength when she accidentally fell, fracturing her hip joint. The shock and pain were too much for her age and feebleness, and on March 16th she went to again be reunited with her companion of sixty years. She was the mother of six children, four of whom survive her -- Mrs. Flora N. Pinkerton of Oklahoma City, Okla.; R. S. Wilson of Seattle, Washington; Miss Mahala E. Wilson of Des Moines; and I. K. Wilson of Los Angeles, Cal., a brother, Henry C. Murphey of Des Moines and a sister, Mrs. H. H. Shissler of Des Moines, still survive her. Funeral services will be held this afternoon at the residence of W. E. Tone, Seventeenth street and Woodland avenue.
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Transcriber's note: Transcribed as published, the husband's date of death per his obituary was December 16, 1912.
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The Des Moines Register
Des Moines, Iowa
Sunday, March 16, 1913
Page 9, Column 5

Mrs. Milton Wilson.

Mrs. Milton Wilson of 128 Park Lane died Friday evening at the home of her daughter, Mrs. C. M. Pinkerton, in Oklahoma City. The funeral will be held Monday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock at the home of her brother, Mr. H. C. Murphey, 650 Seventeenth street.

Sara Jane Wilson was born in Henry county, Indiana, Nov. 11, 1831, and was married to Mr. Wilson Oct. 8, 1852. Early in their married life they came to Iowa and settled at Earlham removing to Des Moines some twelve years ago. Mr. Wilson died in December, a few months after the happy celebration of their sixtieth wedding anniversary.

They were both lifelong members of the Friends’ church and the funeral on Monday will be conducted with the same pastor, the same pallbearers and the same singers as participated in the burial service of the aged husband.

Mrs. Wilson had many warm friends in Des Moines who will greatly lament her death and the children of the pair have also for many years been closely related with the interests of Des Moines.

Four children survive the mother. They are Robert Wilson of Seattle, Isaac Wilson of Los Angeles, Mrs. C. M. Pinkerton of Oklahoma City and Miss Mahala of Des Moines. A brother, Henry Murphey, and a sister, Mrs. M. M. Shissler, also survive.

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