Virgil R Wilson (abt. 1863 - 1949)

Born about 1863 in Illinois, United States

Husband of Fannie T (Kiley) Wilson — married 18 Jan 1886 (to 7 Jul 1898) in Tracy, Lyon, Minnesota(Presbyterian Minister)

Husband of Winifred M (Taylor) Wilson — married 6 Oct 1903 in San Francisco, California

Descendants

Died 3 Feb 1949 at about age 86 in Coquille, Coos, Oregon

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Biography

This profile is part of the Wilson Name Study.

Virgil was born in 1863^[1] in Illinois and by 1880 at the age of 17 was a Clerk boarding in the household of Jas W. Williams a Hardware merchant in Lake Marshall, Lyon, Minnesota.^[2]

In 1885 at the age of 22 VR was living in an hotel operated by Myron D Gibbs in Tracy, Monroe Township, Lyon, Minnesota and running a watch and jewelry business.^[3] The following year on 18 January 1886 he and Fannie T. Kieley were married by the Presbyterian Minister, D. A. Jamison.^[4] (The Presbyterian church in Tracy was organised in 1874 and a new building was constructed in 1885 seating 350. A Daniel A. Jameison was pastor from 1885-87.^[5]

VR and Fannie had two children in Tracy: Virgil James (b1888)^[6] and Paul Romaine (b1891)^[7]

On November 29, 1891 there was a disastrous fire that started in the basement of a store - in spite of heroic efforts made to check it - it destroyed 26 buildings: including 3 hotels, 16 stores, 6 barns, a warehouse and the Tammany Hall residence. VR Wilson lost $150 in jewelry and Gibbs lost his hotel valued at $500.^[8]

Sometime between November 1891 and May 1895^[9] the family moved to Oceanside, San Diego, California. Fannie died of Meningitis on 7 July 1898.^[10] Soon after, Virgil with his two boys ages 12 and 9 moved to Coquille, Coos, Oregon.^[11]

Virgil developed a successful jewelry, watch and optometry business ^[12]in Coquille, and was a well known member of the community.^[13] In 1903 he married Winfred M. Taylor (1876-1968) and they had three daughters. In August 1908 VR and his son Virgil sailed for Portland with one of the largest passenger lists of the season.^[14]

He passed away in 1949.^[15] Burial at the Masonic Cemetery, Coquille, Coos, Oregon "1867 <sic> - 1949"

Sources

1. ↑ 1900 Census, Coquille, Coos, OR give BD as Aug 1866 but most census' estimate 1863
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZ96-HQ7 : 26 August 2017), Virgil Wilson in household of Jas W Williams, Marshall, Lyon, Minnesota, United States; citing enumeration district ED 144, sheet 455C, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0625; FHL microfilm 1,254,625.
3. ↑ "Minnesota State Census, 1885," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQF6-RCF : 4 August 2017), V R Wilson in household of Myron D Gibbs, Monroe, Lyon, Minnesota; citing p. 25, volume Lyon, State Library and Records Service, St.Paul; FHL microfilm 565,745. (Although Birthplace in this reference is listed as California and his father born overseas, mother not.)
4. ↑ "Minnesota, County Marriages, 1860-1949," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FDDB-PMN : 12 March 2018), V. R. Wilson and Fannie T. Kisley, 18 Jan 1886, Tracy, Lyon, Minnesota, United States; citing p. , local historical societies and universities, Minnesota; FHL microfilm 1,255,713.
5. ↑ Rose page 169
6. ↑ "Minnesota Births and Christenings, 1840-1980," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FDHN-99P : 10 February 2018), Virgil R. Wilson in entry for Virgil James Wilson, 20 Oct 1888; citing Vill. of Tracy, Lyon, Minn., reference bk A p 84 cn 2361; FHL microfilm 1,255,718.
7. ↑ "Minnesota Births and Christenings, 1840-1980," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FDSG-1LX : 10 February 2018), Virgil Wilson in entry for Paul R. Wilson, 01 Jul 1891; citing Tracy, Lyon, Minnesota, reference v A p 110; FHL microfilm 1,255,718.
8. ↑ Rose page 166-167
9. ↑ "California Great Registers, 1866-1910," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VNN8-533 : 8 December 2017), Virgil R Wilson, 31 May 1895; citing Voter Registration, Oceanside, San Diego, California, United States, county clerk offices, California; FHL microfilm 977,095.
10. ↑ "Minnesota, Obituaries 1865-2006," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2W2-MDPY : accessed 18 December 2018), Mrs V R Wilson, 1898; citing Tracy, Lyon, Minnesota, United States, newspaper Tracy Trumpet Southwest Minnesota Historical Center, Marshall. ; FHL microfilm 7,618,860.
11. ↑ "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MSD8-DZN : accessed 18 December 2018), Virgil Wilson, Coquille and Riverton Precincts Coquille town, Coos, Oregon, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 12, sheet 11A, family 244, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,346.
12. ↑ Coquille herald. April 13, 1915
13. ↑ Coquille herald. July 26, 1905
14. ↑ The Coos Bay times. (Marshfield, Or.) 1906-1957, August 31, 1908
15. ↑ "Oregon Death Index, 1903-1998," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZHK-JKY : 11 December 2014), Virgil R Wilson, 03 Feb 1949; from "Oregon, Death Index, 1898-2008," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2000); citing Coos, Oregon, certificate number 1355, Oregon State Archives and Records Center, Salem.

Rose, Arthur P. An illustrated history of Lyon County, Minnesota. Northern History Publishing Co. Marshall, Minnesota. 1912.