Clara Conger Wilson

CONGER, WILSON

Posted By: Joanne Breen (email)
Date: 4/25/2023 at 16:36:10

FUNERAL OF MRS. WILSON TOMORROW
SERVICES TO BE HELD IN AFTERNOON AT EAST WASHINGTON HOME

Funeral services for Mrs. C. J. Wilson, who sustained a stroke of paralysis on February sixth and whose death occurred yesterday morning at eleven o’clock, have been announced for Wednesday afternoon at three o’clock from the residence, 909 East Washington street. Services will be in charge of Rev. Mr. Matthews rector of the Episcopal church of Ottumwa, and interment will be in the family lot in Woodlawn cemetery.

This community perhaps never had a woman who was more beloved than Mrs. Wilson. She was a pioneer having been born here December 23, 1852 and she lived all her life in Washington. She was a daughter of Jonathan C. and Jane Sloane Conger, about whom much of the early history of this community centers.

Clara Conger grew to womanhood here attending the public schools before any classes were graduated and later, she attended the old Academy, taught by Professor McKee. On Nov. 13, 1872, she was married to Charles J. Wilson, a prominent young attorney, and they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1922.

Young people all loved Mrs. C. J. Wilson, and her home was always the center for all sorts of delightful social affairs. In the stirring days of the Spanish American war in 1898, their beautiful place was open for all kinds of patriotic parties., she was untiring in her efforts for every good cause and any one in need found in her a true friend.

Her home and family came first, but the few organizations to which she belonged, received a share of her attention and help. She was a life member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and at one time served the organization as regent, besides holding various other important offices, but she never aspired to state honors. She was a member of the Descendants of the Mayflower. Mrs. Wilson was an ardent and enthusiastic member of the Episcopal church here and helped make of the Guild a church society made up of a few untiring women, an organization which was known far beyond the limits of the town. She as also a member of the Fortnightly club.

Mrs. Wilson left no brother or sisters, being the last one to go. Her husband Col. C. J. Wilson, survives and the following children and grandchildren. One daughter Nellie having died at the age of eighteen months. Katherine, now Mrs. Fred Smith of Richland, Edith, now Mrs. Lloyd Lytle, Carlton C. and Helen all of Washington. These grandchildren are living, William, Clara and Martha Smith, and Charles, Robert, Carlton and John Lytle.

Washington Evening Journal, March 25, 1930