A Wilson Family Tree
Notes for Mary Elizabeth Reeves
The Saline County Citizen, 16 Aug 1902, p. 4 (obtained from Newspapers.com):
Death of Mrs. Mary E. Wilson.
---------
Mrs. Mary E. Wilson, one of the oldest and longest resident inhabitants of the city, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. R. Vance, on the corner of Eastwood and Jefferson streets, at 5, a. m., Saturday, Aug. 9th, having passed the 85th milestone of life's journey.
She had been failing for some time and had been blind for the past two years, but it is said tht an attack of flux was the real cause of her death, or at least hastened it. She was born in Todd county, Kentucky, March 25, 1817, and came to Missouri in 1818, with her father, Benjamin Reeves, who afterwards became Lieutenant Governor of the State. Her family first settled in Howard county, where she was married to Judge W. A. Wilson in 1835, and came with him in 1844 to Marshall, where she resided to the day of her death. She had been a widow for 37 years, her husband having died August 18th, 1865 [actually, August 28th]. Judge Wilson was very prominent in the county and held several county offices.
Mrs. Wilson was one of the charter members of the Presbyterian church, and a devout Christian and patient sufferer under the afflictions that beset her later years. She was the central figure and the object of the affection and devotion of her family up to the day of her death. Those of her children who survive her are Capt. B. H. Wilson, Judge Adair Wilson, Bird L. Wilson and Leonard Wilson, of Denver, and Everett Wilson, of San Francisco, and Mrs. John R. Vance, of this city. She lived with the latter at her old home, the headquarters of the family for so many years. Her only sister that was left to her died at Cincinnati only a month ago. Another sister, Mrs. Leonard, widow of the late Judge Abiel Leonard, of Fayette, died a year or two ago at that place. Both she and Mrs. Wilson were among the best-known women of the past regime in this part of the State, and lived a long life,respected and esteemed by a large circle.
Mrs. Wilson's funeral took place at 9 o'clock Monday. It having been deferred to await the arrival of Judge and Mrs. Adair Wilson, from Denver. It was preached by Rev. L. P. Bowen. Burial at Ridge Park.
The bereaved family have the deep sympathy of hosts of friends.
In a letter from Catherine (Rinker) McGrew and Leonie (Wilson) Rinker to Michael Wilson dated 16 Nov 1966, they wrote "William Adair & Mary Elizabeth Wilson were the parents of nine children, seven of whom were Catherine, Benjamin, Leonard, Annette, Adair, Byrd, Horace Everett." Mary L. was listed in the 1850 census (only 8 months old), but not listed in the 1860 census, so presumably she died young. In a letter from Mary E. (Reeves) Wilson to Jeanette (Reeves) Leonard dated 17 Mar 1848 (from the Abiel Leonard Papers), she mentioned a child named William David; he might be another child who died young, born between Leonard and Mary L. This would make nine children. However, In another letter from Mary Wilson to Jeanette Leonard, dated 12 Feb 1856 (also from the Abiel Leonard Papers), she wrote "it has pleased our kind and heavenly Father to take from me four dear little ones", so it sounds like Mary had at least 11 children, of whom 4 died young. And she may have had another one after 1856 because Mollie Turner Reid said that she had "12 children - some died young." Perhaps three of the children were stillborn and not included in Leonie's count.
In information from Ridge Park Cemetery in Marshall, MO, her cause of death is listed as "flux - old age".
1850 census
Listed as Mary E. Wilson, age 32, born in Kentucky. Living with her husband, William A. Wilson, and family.
1860 census
Listed as Mary Wilson, age 44, born in Kentucky. Living with her husband, Wm. A. Wilson, and family.
1870 census
Listed as Mary E. Willson, age 53, born in Kentucky, living with son B.H. Willson and family. Value of personal estate listed as $150.
Note: Some of the information in these pages is uncertain. Please let me know of errors or omissions using the email link above. ...Mike Wilson
Page generated on 12 November 2025