One hundred and eleven years ago today (25 December 1903), my great-great-great grandfather Quintin Wilson died, age 79. His 10 living children assembled for this photograph with their mother, Sarah, at his burial on 26 December 1903, with services held at the Methodist Episcopal Church South on Wilson Street in Guilford, Missouri -- where we held our Wilson family Christmas dinner yesterday. #geography DEATH OF QUINTIN WILSON An Honored Old Settler Gathered to his Fathers Maryville Democrat, December 1903 Quintin Wilson was born in Orange county, Indiana, October 19th, 1824. Died December 25, 1903, aged 79 years, 2 months and 6 days. He was the third of the nine children of James and Priscilla Ann Wilson, who early in 1836 migrated to Northern Illinois. When, in 1837, Platte Purchase was opened for settlement, the family removed to the primeval forest of Buchanan county, Missouri, and settled near DeKalb. Here Quintin and his elder brother, Jasper assisted in the work incident to pioneer life. The preemption house, for which the two boys cut the logs more than 66 years ago, is still partially standing on the old homestead near DeKalb. In the intervals of labor, the older children of Mr. Wilson attended school at the log school house situated on his claim. In September, of 1846, the subject of this sketch enlisted as a team master at Fort Leavenworth, and drove a wagon load of government supplies to Santa Fe. At this place he joined the 700 fearless men, under Colonel Doniphan, in that brilliant and dangerous march to Saltillo, 800 miles away. Owing to the scarcity of regular soldiers, Mr. Wilson was drilled as artilleryman. Reaching the Rio Grande on Christmas day (57 years ago) they fought and gained the battle of Bracito. In February of the next year they met the Mexicans in overwhelming numbers at Sacramento Creek and completely routed them. They them marched unopposed into Chihuahua, a hostile city of more than 40,000 people. Mr. Wilson returned home the next summer. Sometimes, when in a reminiscent mood, he loved to recount the adventures of that dangerous journey. In 1848, he was married to Sarah Graves, daughter of Anthony and Martha Graves. Of this union were born thirteen children, ten of whom are still living. Two died in infancy and Sarah Alice passed away Nov. 5th, 1902. All the children now living were present at a reunion on Mr. Wilsons 78th birthday. They were Mrs. F. M. Blagg, Mrs. Mary Beggs, Mrs. J. D. Craig, Mrs. Chas Gleaves, Miss Katie Messers. W. H., L.C. , and A.H., all of this county; Mrs. T. W. Miller of Cedar County, Mo., and J.R. Wilson of Buchanan county. All of these children were present when he died excepting one daughter in Cedar county. In 1851, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson came to Nodaway county and settled on a farm near Guilford. Here by heroic industry and economy they reared their large family, besides managing to purchase the farm on which he died. When the C. & G. W. R. R. was built he became a proprietor of the new town of Guilford. He reserved a choice portion of the farm on which he built with the intention to pass the sunset of his mortal existence. On the breaking out of the Civil war, he joined the Missouri State Guard and took part in the capture of Lexington. Later, September, 1863, he joined the regular U. S. army and served until mustered out at the close of the war. Besides his military services, he at different times served as school director, constable, and assessor with characteristic devotion to duty. Mr. Wilson was an enthusiastic Mason. He was a charter member of Guilford Lodge No. 474, A. F. and A. M., which he was largely instrumental in organizing, becoming its first W. M. and organizing, becoming its first W. M. and serving in that capacity at intervals several times. For a number of years he has kept his business affairs so arranged as to be ready for the event which came with the advent of Christmas, 1903. Sometimes he referred cheerfully to the fact that he has already lived longer than he had had expected and that he dreaded nothing, but the suffering incident to his disease. The funeral services of Mr. Wilson were held at the M. E. Church, South, in Guilford, Saturday, December 26, 1903, at 11 a.m., Elder Nicholson, pastor of the Christian Church of Stanberry, also a Mason, preaching an able discourse. Before services at the church, the members of Guilford Lodge No. 474 A. F. & A. M., and several Masons from Barnard and other places met at the lodge room. Memorial remarks were made by several who had known the deceased for many years, such as P. J. Hainey, H. G. Richards, James Davis, John W. Brittain, C. D. Hocker, Dr. J. M. McClannahan, James Todd and others. All the speakers testified to his faithfulness and zeal as a Mason to his integrity and uprightness as a man, and to the fact that he was always a good and true citizen. The Masons marched to the home, from the home to the church, and after the services there, to the cemetery, up on the hill, where the Masonic burial ceremonies were conducted by James Todd acting as W. M., at the request of John Q. Beggs, worshipful master of Guilford lodge, C. D. Hocker acted as marshal and Elder Nicholson as chaplain, and Rev. Hoover at the M. E. church, South pronouncing the benediction. The pall-bearers were John W. Brittain, James Davis, C. S. Liggit, Samuel Conlin, Hugh G. Richards and George Blagg. Mr. Davis and Mr. Brittain were charter members with Mr. Wilson when Guilford lodge was instituted in 1873, the former being its first sr. warden and the latter it first jr. warden, Mr. Wilson being its worshipful master. Mr. Wilson was a true man in all the relations of life -- as a husband, father, neighbor, friend and citizen. He came to the close of his life with no regrets or repining, enjoying the happy reflections consequent upon its being well spent. An honored old settler has been gathered to his fathers.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Dec 2014 22:39:22 +0000
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