December 9, 2012

From Sweden to Sicily Island...The Claus Robert Wilson Family

Portions from Our Island Heritage, Vol. 3, 1978, compiled by Sophie Haley and Mickie Smith:

Claus Robert Wilson was born in Stockholm, Sweden on March 26, 1864.  He migrated to America in 1888 through the influence of an uncle who had come to the States a few years earlier.  By 1890, his work had led him to Mississippi where he met and married Annie Vaughn on January 4, 1893.  Annie Vaughn was a native of Utica, Mississippi where she was born on September 28, 1871.

By 1893, Robert Wilson had arrived on Sicily Island where in January of that year he purchased farm land to which he brought his young bride.  They first built a small house in which they lived until their permanent home could be built.  In 1904, that home was completed and occupied.  Here the Wilsons resided for the remainder of their lives.  


Robert Wilson maintained a successful farming operation and raised cattle.  He was also a director of Sicily Island State Bank for many years.  Annie Wilson is remembered as a devoted wife and mother and a gracious hostess. 

Claus Robert Wilson died on September 24, 1953 and Annie Vaughn Wilson died on August, 3, 1934.  Both are buried in the Old Pine Hill Cemetery in Sicily Island.



Record of death for Annie Vaughn Wilson:



Robert's younger brothers, Charles August and Ernest John, lived with Robert and Annie at different times between the 1920s-1940s.

Charles August Wilson was born in Stockholm, Sweden on May 22, 1868 and immigrated to the States in 1884.  He was a locomotive engineer with the railroad.  Charles died in Sicily Island on April 3, 1954 and is buried in the Old Pine Hill Cemetery.



Ernest John Wilson was born in Tidaholm, Sweden on November 29, 1875 and immigrated to the States in 1894.  He was an automotive mechanic.  Ernest died in Sicily Island on November 23, 1941 and is buried in the Old Pine Hill Cemetery.



The following children were born to the marriage of Robert and Annie Wilson:

Charles D. "Charlie" Wilson was born on November 16, 1893 and died on May 14, 1913.  He is buried in the Old Pine Hill Cemetery.



Blanche Wilson was born on December 3, 1895.  She married John Edward Wright who was born on July 6, 1884.  Blanche taught school at Sicily Island for many years.  She was also very active in the Order of the Eastern Star, becoming Worthy Grand Matron in 1946.  She was a charter member of the Sicily Island Woman's Club and served as president of the local club for several years.  She was elected and served as the District President for three years.

Blanche Wilson Wright died on August 12, 1985 and John Edward Wright died on July 31, 1956.  Both are buried in the Old Pine Hill Cemetery.  (Editor's note:  tombstone photograph is courtesy of Karen Klemm Pinckard at FindAGrave.com)



Emily Wilson was born on July 31, 1898.  She married Percy Jackson Spears (1890-1976) of Jackson, Mississippi and made her home there for many years.

Emily Wilson Spears died on August 16, 1989.  She is buried in the Old Pine Hill Cemetery.



Emily and P. J. Spears, Sr. had two children, Percy Jackson, Jr. and Gloria Dean.

Percy Jackson "P.J.", Jr. was born on November 5, 1921 and is currently living in a nursing home in Wisner, Franklin, Louisiana.
Gloria Dean Spears was born on August 6, 1925.  She married Ellis R. Price (1922-1985) and lived in San Antonio, Texas where she raised three children.  Both she and Ellis are buried in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Bexar, Texas.  (Editor's note:  tombstone photograph is courtesy of CynC at FindAGrave.com)


In the late 1970s, Blanche, Emily, and P.J., Jr. resided in the Wilson home on Hill Road where they engaged in farming, cattle raising, and raising registered quarter horses for showing.

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