Edward L. Wilson was born in Terre Haute, Indiana on October 3, 1841, and in 1856 moved with his family to Jasper County, in southern Illinois. On October 28, 1866, he married Anna Odell, daughter of Washington and Rachel Raper Odell. Edward served our country during the Civil War, and enlisted with Company K, 21st Illinois Infantry, and served for 4 and 1/2 years.
Edward and Anna had 6 children, of which 4 survived him. The children are Laura Ballard, Arthur, William Holley, and Olive [Ollie] Kreps. Edward moved his family to a farm in Vesta, Johnson County, Nebraska in 1880 and lived there until 1910 when they moved to a house nearby. Anna Wilson wrote to her sister Olive Arnold, who still lived in southern Illinois, about the fine crops and everyday life in Vesta. Edward L. Wilson died of pneumonia on January 16, 1911, at his home with his family by his side. He was 69 years old and was a respected member of the community in many ways. Edward is buried in the Tecumseh, Nebraska cemetery, along with his wife, who died in 1933.
If you require further information on this family, please contact: Barb Arnold Moksnes.