William A. "Billy" Wilson 1847-1932
WILSON, JOHNSTON, HARBIN, HARRISON, VALLEY, THOMPSON, HOLMES, BROOKS, MCBRIDE, HUDSON
Posted By: Karen DaPra (email)
Date: 5/16/2004 at 02:46:46
WILLIAM A. WILSON
William A. Wilson was born near Wilmington, Dearborn county, Indiana, November 2, 1847, and departed this life at Cantril, Iowa, May 10, 1932, age 84 years, 6 months and 8 days.
He came to Iowa with his parents, Daniel L. and Elizabeth Johnston Wilson in October, 1849, in a covered wagon and located at Lebanon.
The following spring the family moved to a farm south of Lebanon, where W. A. spent his entire boyhood and school days. Attending school at the then called "Dunlap School," now called "South Lebanon."
He was married to Miss Sarah Melvina Harbin of near Milton on February 9, 1870. To this union 5 children were born: Alma Belle (Harrison), Lillian Maud, Esther Ruth, Vance Avilla, and Elsie Valley, all of whom are deceased except Lillian Maud (Thompson) of Galesburg, Ill.
There also survive one grandson and one great granddaughter, A. J. Harrison, of near Lebanon and his daughter, Loraine.
Mr. Wilson was a member of a family of six children, three sisters and two brothers, Sarah Frances Holmes, Jennie Brooks of Keosauqua; Vance L. of Ottumwa, Rachel Annie McBride, and G. Hudson, the latter now living on the old home place. Of this number two have passed away, Sarah Frances and Rachel Annie.
Mr. Wilson was a man widely known in this community, being affectionately called "Billy" by nearly every man, woman and child in the community. His whole life was devoted to the well-being of his friends and neighbors. He was a loving and sympathetic husband and father and through all his suffering ever found time for a pleasant and encouraging word to those who were afflicted.
He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Lebanon.
The deceased was a finished fifer, violinist and drummer, beng one of the very few double handed drummers in the country. He always enjoyed these various instruments and spent many hours with them for his own and the pleasure of others.
The funeral services were held Thursday, May 12. A short service was held at his late home in Cantril at one o'clock and a more extended service at the Methodist Episcopal Church at Lebanon, Rev.. H. F. Gilbert officiating, assisted by the pastor, Rev. G. H. Smith.
The pallbearers at Cantril were: Maurice Weir, Floyd Smith, Will Haney, Foster Steinberg, B. C. Casady and Fletcher Wells. In Cantril a quartet consisting of Mrs. Selman Daugherty, Mrs. E. J. Hootman, B. C. Casady and C. J. Thompson sang "Rock of Ages" and "Nearer My God to Thee."
At Lebanon the pallbearers were six brothers, first cousins of the deceased: James, Frank, Willis, Arthur, Paul and Elmer Wilson. A quartet consisting of Mr. and Mrs. C. T. Muir, Mrs. Paul Brown and LaRue Wilson rendered the following selections: "Shall We Gather at the River," "Saved by Grace" and "Going Down the Valley" with Mrs. H. W. Beeler at the piano.
Interment was made in the Lebanon cemetery beside his wife, Sarah, who passed away April 1, 1926, and in which cemetery lie the four departed children.
(Photocopy of this obit found on page 190 of Obit Book "A" of the Van Buren County Genealogical Society's collection at the Keosauqua Public Library in Jan 2001. Name of newspaper and date of obit not given.)
I am NOT related and am posting this obit for those who may find this person in their family history.
[originally posted Feb. 3, 2001 and reposted 10 May 2001]
I would like additional information on William. Thanks, Karen.
Wife Sarah Melvina Harbin Wilson's obituary
Van Buren Obituaries maintained by Rich Lowe.
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