Robert Wilson 1827-1901

WILSON, ATKINSON, HALL

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 10/1/2001 at 20:14:36

Robert Wilson was born in Burslem, England, February 17, 1827, and died Aug. 13, 1901, at the age of 74 years, 5 months and 26 days.

He served in the British army in India from 1844 to 1854, and was honored by the Queen's medal for valorous service during that time.

In 1855 he came to America, landing at Boston, and visiting there a short time with a sister, Mrs. Hall, who still is living in that city.

Coming west to Illinois, he enlisted, at Peoria, in 1861, in the 8th Illinois Infantry, and was made Captain of Company l.

At the battle of Fort Donnelson he received the terrible wound which was eventially [sic] the cause of his death, being made by the bursting of a shell; and was left for dead on the battlefield two days and a night, having his feet badly frozen when his comrades found him.

When sufficiently recovered, he reenlisted, and served till the close of the war, being breveted Lieutenant Colonel by President Johnson for gallant and meritorsious [sic] conduct at Ft. Donnelson battle.

After this he engaged in the pottery business at Farmington, and later at Bonaparte where he was in business until 1895.

On December 23, 1869, he was married to Mrs. Anna M. Atkinson, at Fairbury, Ills. To this union were born three children -- one daughter and two sons, who, with his wife, the aged sister, a step-daughter and one grand son, and many relatives and friends both in America and England, are left to mourn his loss.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge at Bonaparte and a charter member of the Elias M. Ware Post, G. A. R.

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I am NOT related and am posting this obit for those who may find this person in their family history.