Jeremiah Morgan Wilson (1910)

DARBY, MARSH, WILSON

Posted By: Kent Transier
Date: 9/26/2006 at 21:49:28

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, June 30, 1910

ELECTRIC BOLT IS FATAL

J. M. Wilson of Macksburg Killed by lightning. Two Others Have Narrow Escape.

J. M. Wilson, one of the most prominent farmers of Adair and Madison counties, met death Saturday evening about 7 o’clock while on his way from Macksburg to his home four miles west of that village. Mr. Wilson had been at Macksburg to do his Saturday trading. A severe electrical storm arose soon after he left town and he drove his team into a barn on the Ed Townsend farm one mile west of Macksburg. Mr. Townsend had just introduced him to his hand. All three were standing in the barn when a terrific bolt of lightning passed through the building, Mr. Wilson was killed outright. Mr. Townsend recovered consciousness in a few moments and the other man, a few minutes later. The deadly bolt struck Mr. Wilson on the head, melted his spectacles from his face and burned the body in several places.

The news of the awful fatality was a profound shock not only to the people of that particular vicinity but to many people throughout Adair and Madison counties. Jerry Wilson was a man of unusual ability, of marked integrity of purpose and his friends were only limited by the number of his acquaintances. He was born near Cannan, Ind., July 16, 1842, and came to Madison county with his parents, when sixteen months old, the family settling in the south part of Madison county. In 1852, he moved to the farm where he has since resided near the Adair and Madison county line west of Macksburg. He was united in marriage to Laura M. Darby, who with four children survives him. They are Eugene C., of Winterset, Mrs. Elmer Marsh and Clarence living in the vicinity and Mamie, who resides at home.

In 1862, Mr. Wilson enlisted in the defense of his country with Company “I” of the 4th Iowa Cavalry and served until the close of the rebellion. He was a successful farmer and accumulated much of this world’s goods. His farm, including that set apart to his children, comprised about 2500 acres of choice land. While he was successful in the management of his pursuits, he was most liberal in contributions to religious and philanthropic enterprises. “Wilson Chapel,” a beautiful country church, located on his farm was largely the result of his efforts. He was a member of the M. E. church and a former pastor of Wilson Chapel, Rev. I. N. Woodward, now of Milo, conducted the funeral services on Monday of this week. This funeral was one of the largest ever held in that vicinity and expressions of sorrow and a feeling of personal loss attested the high esteem in which he was held and the value of his life to the community in which he lived. He was president of the Macksburg National Bank and one of the principal stockholders and workers for the interurban road from Creston to Winterset. His active influence in that vicinity will be sorely missed but he leaves behind the influence of a life well spent – an influence that can never die.
-------------------------

Winterset Reporter – June 30, 1910
Pg 1

J. M. Wilson Meets Death by Lightning

One of the saddest of recent casualties occurred last Saturday when J. M. Wilson, one of the leading citizens of Adair county and a former resident of this county, was instantly killed by a bolt of lightning. Mr. Wilson was on his way home from Macksburg when he was overtaken by a severe storm. He drove his team into the barn of Ed Townsend to await its abatement. He had just greeted Mr. Townsend and another man whose name we did not learn, when he received the bolt which killed him instantly. Both the other men were severely shocked but, as we understand, recovered.

Mr. Wilson was one of the wealthiest and most influential farmers in Adair county. He was a large land owner in both Madison and Adair counties. His home place is just over the Adair county line.

Jerry Wilson was one of the most deservedly popular men in this part of the state. He hadn’t an acquaintance who was not a true friend. He was public spirited and active in all things which looked towards the advancement and upbuilding of the community in which he lived. He has been foremost in the ranks of those who have labored for years to secure a railroad for that section of the country and at the time of his unfortunate death he was busily engaged in promoting a railroad from Creston to Macksburg.

Mr. Wilson was born at Canaan, Ind., in 1842. When but a child, with his parents, he came to Lincoln township, this county. In 1852 he moved to Adair county which place has ever since been his home. He served his country in the war of the rebellion as a member of the 4th Iowa cavalry. He represented Adair county in the 28th General Assembly and served with distinction.

He is survived by his wife and four children, two boys and two girls, all grown and married excepting one girl who has remained a member of the household.

The funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock in the Wilson Chapel, on his own farm, and conducted by the Rev. Woodward, of Indianola.

Gravesite
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen