Wilson, Joseph J. 1856-1895

WILSON, DREW

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/10/2013 at 12:33:48

The funeral of J, J. Wilson of Sioux City son-in-law of Capt. D. Drew of Le Mars, was held yesterday afternoon.

The Journal says of his life and illness: Joseph J. Wilson died at 4:30 a. m. yesterday a his residence, 512 Twelfth street, of consumption, aged 38 years and 5 months.

Although Mr. Wilson was young in years, he was considered as one of the old settlers, having come to Sioux City in the spring of 1876 from Ogdensburg, N. Y., in company with D. E. Delong, and accepted a position with the old Tootle-Livingston Dry Goods company as traveling salesman. After this firm ceased to do business in Sioux City he took a similar position with the W. H. Livingston company and continued in its employ for about six years, when, in company with Frank Kimberly, he started a wholesale notion house at the corner of Pearl and Third streets, from which he was compelled to retire several years ago owing to his impaired health Since that time he had been practically a condemned man, waiting patiently, even longingly, for death to claim him and alleviate his untold suffering.

In an early day, before he was stricken with consumption, Mr. Wilson was quite prominent in the society circles of the city. He was then a young man of fine personal appearance, pleasing address and a great deal of individual magnetism, which made him many warm friends, who, during his extended illness, have done all they could to insure his comfort. D. E. Delong, Mr. Wilson's bosom friend, sat up with him during the last hours. He showed the same remarkable vitality and fortitude that had been with him throughout his long sickness by sitting upright in bed in his dying condition and conversing pleasantly with those around him. At 2 o'clock, when the end was evident, he smiled and asked for a cigar, but before his request could be fulfilled he dropped back upon his pillow and sank into a heavy slumber, and at 4:30 he was dead.

Mr. Wilson leaves a wife and two children to mourn his untimely death, Eddie, aged 16, and Gene, aged 8.

Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
Thursday, January 3, 1895
Le Mars, Iowa