Lyman Franklin Wilson (1857-1941)

WILSON, DAWSON, DAVIS, PEARSON, NELSON, RECTOR, ALLEN

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 21:05:24

Lyman Franklin Wilson, a pioneer of O'Brien county and this vicinity, passed away at his farm home south of Hartley Sunday night, June 22, 1941. He had been in failing health for several months, but had been bedfast only for the last three weeks. Heart trouble was the cause of his illness.

He was born in Delaware County, Iowa, on April 8, 1857, the fourth child of Nicolas and Jemima Wilson. He received his education in the rural school and Lenox College, later teaching several terms of school.

He came to Hartley in 1883 and located on a farm 3 1/2 miles south of town. A year later he returned to Delaware County and waws married to Sarah Jane Dawson on February 17, leaving the same day for their new home by train, arriving here in a blizzard.

To this union were born five children, three sons dying in infancy. Mr. Wilson spent 56 years on this farm, having lived two years in the town of Hartley.

He was very active in community service, serving as census taker, justice of the peace, town clerk, assessor, and or over twenty years, secretary of the Omega township school board. He also took active part in church work. In the early days acting as superintendent and teacher in Sunday school in the country school house, later teaching in the local Methodist Sunday school of which church he had become a member in the early 90's.

March 4, 1932, his wife Sarah passed away leaving him alone and lonely. He renewed a childhood acqauaintance and was married to Mrs. Margaret Davis of Hopkinton, Iowa, April 23, 1933. In May 1938, his wife Margaret died, again leaving him alone. He remained in his home since that time. His brother John's death in April was the only one remaining of his family, four sisters and two brothers having preceded him.

He leaves to mourn his departure one son, Lew H. Wilson; one daughter, Cora B. Pearson, both of Hartley; nine grandchildren: Mrs. Ruby Nelson, Sheldon; Wayne Wilson, Los Angeles California; Mrs. Maxine Rector, Centuria, Wisconsin; Rex and Neva Wilson of Hartley; Curtis Allen, Everett and Vera Gail Pearson, Hartley; two great grandchildren, Charles and Carolee Nelson; one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Jessie Wilson; one son-in-law, Lloyd Pearson.

Funeral services were held in the Methodist church on Wednesday, June 22, 1941. Rev. Plummer of Rolfe assisted by Rev. [] conducting the services. Interment was made in the Pleasant View Cemetery.

Hartley (Iowa) Sentinel, 26 Jun 1941, p. 8