Emma Lena (Smith) WILSON

SMITH, WILSON, BECKHOLT, DAAKE, LONNING

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:42

3 November 1863 ---- 1 July 1943

Emma L. daughter of Phillip and Mary Smith was born near New Franken, Brown County, Wisconsin, on November 3rd, 1863 and passed away at the Mrs. B. H. Clark nursing home on July 1st, 1943, her age 79 years, 7 months. Mrs. Wilson moved with her parents by covered wagon to Polk County, Nebraska in 1871, and knew as a young girl all the hardships of a pioneer life, remembering well the visitations of the Indians to their prairie home. She attended school as she was able in those early days, but spent much time helping her father in his work.

On December 19, 1886 she was united in marriage to John T. Wilson and they went to their farm work in Polk County, but moved to Nance County, Nebraska, within a few years and lived on the same ranch for a number of years. To this union 5 children were born, all surviving, they being Mrs. Lena Beckholt and L. E. Wilson, of Eagle Grove, P. H. Wilson of New London, Conn., Mrs. Cora Daake of West Union and Mrs. Iva Lonning of Waukon, Iowa, six grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren, besides one sister, Mrs. Sybilla Wilson of Miles City, Mont., and one brother, G. E. Smith of Denver, Colo., and a number of other relatives.

She was one of those hardy pioneers who worked hard and long to see that her family had all of the comforts possible under the circumstances. After her family was grown she spent several years as a cook of one of the fraternity homes at Iowa State College where she was loved by the boys of the home, and then for eleven years she kept house for an aged couple in Los Angeles. She was thrifty and looked well to her own care. She was a real mother and had adopted a wonderful philosophy of life, always patient.

In her early childhood she was baptized into and joined the German Methodist church and remained a member of the Methodist Church until her death, joining the Eagle Grove Church in 1906 by letter. She enjoyed the work of the Order of Eastern Star, becoming a member of Eagle Chapter in 1903 and was a member in good standing at death.

She will be greatly missed by her loved ones and many who knew her. Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Methodist Church with Rev. J. R. Tumbleson in charge. Interment was made in Rose Hill cemetery.

EAGLE GROVE EAGLE ---- Eagle Grove, Iowa
July 8, 1943

Source --- Paul Wilde