Collection Title: Robert E. Wilson Biography and Pocket Watch
Series Number: MS23-07
Processed and Cataloged by: LaDonna Hamontree and Sarah Owens
Date Listed: August 10, 2023
Date Span: 1889-1973
Size of Collection: .4 linear feet.
Number of Boxes: 1 box.
Type of Material: Biography and railroad pocket watch.
Condition of Material: Fair.
Arrangement: Physical size.
Biographical / Historical Information: The collection was donated by the family of Robert Estill Wilson (b. 4-10-1889, d. 11-12-1973). He was born in Morrison, Warren County, Tennessee and was the youngest son of Sara Jane Davenport (b. 3-13-1849, d.12-20-1917) and William Martin Wilson (b. 1-19-1850, d. 3-23-1929). The family also included Robert E. Wilson's siblings, Amos Wiseman (1872-1909), William Edmund (1874-1954), Atlantic (Fox) (1878-?), Della (Plumblee) (1880-?), Floyd Martin (1882-1958), Eucha Rice (1885-1955), Gentry Lee (1887-1953), Robert Estill (1889-1973), Lela Mae (Nall) (1893-1940s). The Wilson family moved to Morganfield, KY area about 1895. They were farmers and some worked in coal mines.
Robert served in U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps at Camp Taylor, Louisville, KY during World War I. He came to Cerulean about 1919 and was employed by the Illinois Central Railroad as section foreman. He served in that capacity until his retirement in 1954.
He was married on 7-5-1919 in Evansville, Indiana to Verdya Marie Shanks (b. 7-24-1896, d. 9-13-1972) at Bordley, Union County, KY. Verdya was the oldest daughter of Ida Jane Mabry and Charles Robert Shanks. They lived in Cerulean directly in front of Cerulean Springs Hotel that burned in 1925. They were members of Cerulean Baptist Church, where both were Sunday School teachers.
The couple are buried in New Harmony Baptist Church cemetery, Rock Springs community, Wheatcroft, KY. Verdya's mother and third husband, Wilburn H. Roberts are also buried there.
Their children are Leo Yeateman, Agnes Idalyne (Hillyard), and Wilburn Martin "Willie".
Scope and Content: Collection consists of one biography and one railroad pocket watch.
Subject Headings / Descriptors:
