ROBERT L. WILLSON

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, p. 451-452:

Robert L. Willson

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Sections 9 and 10, Post-office, Nevada).

   Since Mr. Willson came to Missouri some 15 years ago, immediately after his marriage, he has given considerable attention to the stock industry in connection with general farming, and in the prosecution of this occupation has met with substantial evidences of success.  The place which he now owns and occupies embraces 280 acres, and is so arranged as to make an admirable stock farm; and the results which have followed him in this calling indicate fully that he is thoroughly acquainted with his business.  Mr. Willson was born in Randolph county, Ill., July 27, 1846, one of eight children (three of whom were sons) in the family of his parents, Peter and Mary J. Wilson, née Day, who were married in 1845.  The father was a native of New York State and in an early day located in Randolph county, Ill., of which locality he was one of the pioneers.  His wife’s birth occurred July 30, 1826, in Ohio.  Robert L. was reared in Illinois and after attaining mature years was married in his native county to Miss Agnes B. Bickett, in 1871, she being the daughter of Gavin and Mary Ann Bickett, both of whom still live.  The same year, and as stated, immediately following this event, Mr. Willson came to Missouri and has since remained here, numbered among the worthy citizens of Badger township.  He is recognized as a man of public spirit, always willing to lend his influence and money to aid deserving enterprises.  His family of children number five, two boys and three girls, in whose company he finds great pleasure.  Their names are Peter G., May P., John G., Nellie J. and Dora E.

R. L. WILLSON DEAD

Pioneer Citizen Died at Home in Walker Tuesday Night.

     R. L. (Bob) Willson died at his home in the town of Walker Tuesday night following a lengthy illness.  He was 75 years of age and was one of the old-timers of the county, having come here as a young man and settled on a farm in Badger township, about eight miles east of Nevada.

     This farm, small at first, grew as time went by until today it is one of the big farms of Vernon county, and still owned by Mr. Willson and operated by his sons.  On it he lived continually and raised his family until about fifteen years ago he and Mrs. Willson moved to Walker, where they have since lived.  Even though off the farm, Mr. Willson continued to take much interest in it and its management and made frequent trips to the old homestead, particularly in the farming season.

     Only a few months ago Mr. and Mrs. Willson celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, having been married in Illinois fifty years ago and coming here soon afterward.

     There are no long paeans of praise the Herald would sing of "Bob" Willson.  None are necessary.  Doubtless he had faults, but they were of the head and not of the heart.  His life of half a century among this people is an open book and tells its own story.  He was just a plain, blunt, patriotic American citizen, square as though cut by a die, a man of firm and unshakable convictions and open and outspoken even to a fault.  If you wanted to know what was in his head on any question that came up you could easily find out--and in words that would not be misunderstood, for he spoke United States excellently.

     Ever since the present owners have edited the Herald he had been a subscriber and whenever the paper took what he thought was a "fool stand" on something he did not hesitate to come in and kick up a row about it, but he never got mad and failed to get over it, an admirable trait in any man.

     The funeral was held at the Presbyterian church in Walker yesterday and burial was at Marvin Chapel, not far from the old Willson home.

     The Herald  joins the friends of the family in sympathy.

The Nevada Herald, Nevada, Missouri.  Friday, February 24, 1922.

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