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FROM THE EXPRESS, APRIL 10,
1891.
The year 1890—91 of the Old
Settlers' Association seems destined to be the most notable in its history
thus far, as to the number and prominence of its members removed by death.
And of them all, none will be more missed or leave a larger vacancy than
he whose name is this week added to the list: Samuel Willson. He had been
in failing health for several months, and when a few weeks since he was
stricken down by heart disease, it awakened general apprehension among his
wide circle of friends. However, under the careful nursing of home, and
the skillful directions of our village physician, Dr. Van Cleave, he
slowly rallied, until hope for his recovery had become strong, and with
the return of warmer weather all had trusted to see his familiar form upon
our streets again. Alas the day! Sunday morning, about 6 o'clock, without
a moment's warning, the final call came. His wife had arisen and was
making preparations to minister to him, conversing with him in the
meanwhile, when there was a gasping sound from the bed, and in briefest
space all was over.
Mr. Willson was born in
Norwich, Vt., September 19, 1820, having thus passed, by four and a half
months, the Biblical limit of three score and ten. His
great-great-grandfather on the paternal side was a native of Londonderry,
Ireland, and one of the founders of Londonderry, N. H. An ancestor on the
maternal side was one of the first settlers of Marlborough, Mass.,
emigrating from England in 1635. His father, John Willson, and his mother,
Mercy Newton, were both natives of Henniker, N. H., and he was the
youngest of their eight children. He was brought up on a farm in Barre,
Vt., and was educated in the common schools of the day. Before he was of
age he commenced to learn the trade of a stone cutter, and followed it for
more than thirty years. April 20, 1854, ho was married to Miss Harriet A.
Lamb, of Barre, Vt. A year or two later Mr. and Mrs. Willson removed to
Waukegan, Ill., where their only child, Frank L., was born. Shortly after,
in the spring of 1857, the family emigrated to Minnesota, and Mantorville
has since been their home. Here, for several years, Mr. Willson worked in
the main at his trade, eventually in company with Mr. Henry Hook, under
the firm name of Hook & Wilson, buying a portion of the quarries east of
the village, and making the most extended operations in that line up to
their time. In 1874 he purchased the drug business here, and has continued
it, with the help of his son, to the present, enlarging and making it one
of the best, outside of the few largest towns, in Southern Minnesota.
Mr. Willson has always been
deeply interested in matters of public import, and has done his full share
in helping to develop and maintain local institutions and interests. He
was Chairman of the County Board of Commissioners in 1861, and again
continuously in 1864-65-66. He was Chairman of the committee to procure
plans for the Courthouse; then Chairman of the Building Committee and to
negotiate the county bonds therefor; and later was appointed to
superintend its completion. He was a member of the town council in 1867,
1871, and 1872. He took a deep interest in educational matters, and was a
member of the Board of Education several years—the last time he was
elected (in 1885), declining to qualify because of having been appointed
agent for the sale of state text-books. He was a member of no Church
organization, yet always contributed liberally to the local societies, and
was a member of the first Board of Trustees of the Congregational Church.
It can safely be said that no worthy person or object ever appealed to him
for encouragement or aid and went away empty-handed. When the organization
of a bank here approached completion, every one interested seemed to turn
instinctively to him as the choice for its President. In fact, his anxiety
for the success of the project, and the construction of the vault having
been put under his supervision, in his enfeebled health perhaps hastened
the closing scene.
Awaiting the arrival of
friends from Chicago, the funeral was not held until Wednesday afternoon.
There was a brief and highly appropriate service at the residence,
conducted by Rev. James McLaughlin, of the Congregational Church, and
after the large concourse of neighbors and old friends, many from a
distance, had taken their last look at the so long familiar face, but
henceforth to be seen no more in the walks of men, the remains were
deposited in Evergreen Cemetery. The pallbearers were Messrs. Joel Brooks,
James B. Foster, W. C. Hogle, H. J. Roe, B. A. Pier, and G. L. Slingerland.
Every business house in town, including the county offices, was closed
during the funeral. Besides his wife and son, an elder sister, Mrs. Mercy
Fisk, of New Lisbon, N. H., survives the deceased, the last of their
father's family. The Express is requested to voice the deep appreciation
and gratitude of the bereaved family for the many kindnesses and helps
rendered by neighbors during these closing scenes. |
