Robert D. Wilson
The Oberlin Herald, Oberlin February 7, 1929

Robert D. Wilson was born at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania November 6, 1849,
and departed this life at his home after a lingering illness of about
two months. All was done that hands could do, but the end came peaceably
Monday morning at 8:30 o'clock, February 4, 1929, age 81 years, 2
months, and 28 days. He was a veteran of the Civil War, enlisting at the
age of 15 near the close of the conflict. [His Civil War pension papers
state that he was born in Greene Co. PA. Pittsburgh is in Allegheny Co.
In a later paper in his CW file, he stated that he was born in PA near
Wheeling, WVA and lived at Wind Ridge, PA at the time of his enlistment
in Co. L, 6th PA Heavy Artillery.]

He was married to Nancy E. Jackson, August 5, 1869, at DeWitt County
Illinois. They moved from there to Hebron, Nebraska in 1873. To this
union twelve children were born, five of whom died in infancy. The
surviving children are: Jake, Charley, and Lee at home, Frank and John
living in the community, Mrs. LaVina Jackson of Kennedy, Nebraska, and
Mrs. Ada Johnston of Aroya, Colorado. All the children were present at
the time of his death but Mrs. Ada Johnston. Besides those named, he
leaves one brother of Red Bluff, California [John Smith Wilson], 15
grandchildren, also a host of friends; the wife and mother having
preceded him 13 years ago, December 4, 1916.

Mr. Wilson filed papers on a homestead in Prairie Dog Township the fall
of 1880, moving the family in the spring of 1881, the same being his
home up to the time of his death.

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson suffered the hardships of pioneer days, but through
it all no stranger was ever turned from his door, and he seemed happiest
when surrounded by a crowd of friends. Mr. Wilson was a kind friend and
neighbor. No night was too dark for him to go and help someone sick or
in need. He was a great lover of children, flowers, and music.

"Bob," as he was familiarly known, will be greatly missed, not only by
the relatives, but by a multitude of friends, for he had many.

The funeral services were held at the Shibboleth Church Wednesday
afternoon at 2:00 p.m. by the Rev. F. J. Foster of Dresden, Kansas. The
body was laid to rest beside the wife and mother in the Shibboleth
Cemetery.

Submitted by: Keith E. Johnston, 2602 31 Street, Lubbock, TX 79410,
E-mail: kjay6@webtv.net