Thomas A. Wilson (1830-1900)

WILSON, FARMER

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 6/26/2025 at 10:23:32

Ottumwa Semi-Weekly Courier
Tuesday, March 6, 1900 — Page 4

OBITUARY.
Thomas A. Wilson was born in Owen county, Indiana, November 21, 1830; died at the residence of his son, W. T. Wilson, on Kirkwood avenue, Ottumwa, February 20, 1900.

He was the son of William and Rachael Wilson. He came to Wapello county in 1854 and was married to Lucy J. Farmer, daughter of Prior S. and Elizabeth Farmer, January 19, 1854, and resided in Wapello county for two years and engaged in farming and freighting with ox teams, hauling goods from Keokuk.

In 1856 he removed to Lucas county and settled on a farm, just west of the present town of Russell. In 1861 he returned to Wapello county, and in 1864 he crossed the plains overland and engaged in gold mining in Montana, Idaho and Utah, returning to Wapello county in 1867, where he remained engaged in farming until 1891, when he retired.

He removed from the old homestead, where he had sent so many busy years of his life, and, with his aged companion came to spend the remaining years of their lives in rest at the home of their son, December 10, 1898.

Politically he had been a lifelong democrat, firm in his advocacy of those principles which he believed to be right, but ever charitable to those who differed from him in opinions. He had never been connected with any society, either sacred or fraternal.

The unfortunate and distressed were always objects of his charity, and in administering to their wants and needs he often went beyond the limit that his means would justify.

He was a loving husband, a kind father, a good neighbor and a warm friend. His kindness of heart, his sterling integrity and rugged honesty secured and retained for him the friendship and confidence of all who knew him.

“He added to the sum of human joy and were everyone for whom he did some loving service to bring a blossom to his grave, he would sleep tonight beneath a wilderness of flowers.”