Robert Wilson 1827-1901

WILSON, ATKINSON, HALL, PAGE

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 10/22/2004 at 18:28:13

ROBERT WILSON.

After Serving Ten Years in the
British Army and Five Years
in the Army of the United States
another Veteran has gone be-
yond the River.

Robert Wilson was born in Burslem, England, Feb. 17, 1827, and died at his home in Bonaparte, Iowa, Aug. 13, 1901, aged 74 years, 5 months, and 26 days. He passed his boyhood in England and when still a young enlisted in the British army and served in India from 1844 to 1854. For meritorious conduct in the Indian wars he was awarded the Queens medal in 1849. After his return from India he spent about 6 months in England and then decided to come to America. He landed at Boston in 1855 and visited with his sister, Mrs. Hall, who had been there for several years. He remained in Boston with his sister for a short time and next went to Illinois and located in Tazewell Co.

At the beginning of the Civil War he enlisted in the 8th. Ill. Inf. and was made Captain of Co. I. At the battle of Ft. Donnellson he was wounded by the bursting of a shell and lay upon the battle field from 10 A.M. Saturday until Sunday night when he was found by the Company’s pet dog which attracted the attention of his comrades. After being out of the service 9 months on account of his wound he reenlisted and remained until the end of the war and for meritorious and valorous conduct at the battle of Ft. Donnellson was brevteted Lieut. Colonel in August 1865. Soon after the war he engaged in the pottery business in Bonaparte and Farmington, Iowa, in which business he remained until when he retired on account of failing health.

On December 23, 1869, he was married to Mrs. Anna M. Atkinson of Fairbury, Ill., and to this union were born three children, Thomas Wentworth, Fannie Hall, and Robert Edwin. Besides his wife and three children, the step-daughter, Mrs. William Page, and the sister, Mrs. Hall, there are other relatives both in England and America.

Mr. Wilson was a charter member of the Elias M. Ware Post and also a Mason, both orders participating in the funeral services, the G.A.R. having a service at the house and the Masons having a short but impressive ceremony at the grave. The pall-bearers were Wm. Sivil, A. McDonald, Henry Jones, W.P.L. Muir, W.A. Packer, and N.H. Smith.

Mr. Wilson was one of the few characters who preferred to hide all honors he had won, but like all such, his true worth was exemplified in his daily life. He was a man admired by all, loved by his intimate friends, and revered by his family.

Source: Entler Scrapbook, vol. 4, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA