After Dan Wilson died in 1909, his widow Georgia and younger daughters (Verna age 2 and Fonnie, 6) moved into Panora. By then, daughter Alice was married, and Rectha married soon after. Georgia had lost both parents, her mother just a few weeks before the birth of Verna. Clabe Wilson was still at home, helping care for his younger sisters, even diapering baby Verna. He may also have moved into Panora with them, but in 1914, he married Leora Goff and moved to Monteith.
Clabe and Leora Wilson in front of the home of his mother, Georgia Wilson, in Panora, Iowa. 1914
Georgia had some kind of “attack” in June 1917. The next month she was admitted to The Retreat in Des Moines with Fonnie and Verna. The Retreat was a private mental health center where a parent could keep children with them. By October, a guardian was appointed for her daughters.
Georgia was admitted to Clarinda State Hospital November 9, 1917. Her granddaughter (my mother Doris) requested the her records from the hospital. Case No. 8179 Ward Notes: Nov. 24, 1917 – “Was in depression when she entered hospital and remained in this condition; would not answer questions put to her and did not pay any attention to things going on around her. Took nourishment quit well, but gradually grew weaker and more depressed and did not respond to medical aid and passed away at 8 p.m. The cause of death being exhaustion from manic depressive – depression. The remains were sent to Stuart, Iowa.”
Georgia Wilson was 53 years old. Her funeral was held at Dale City and burial was at Morrisburg Cemetery.
I’ll tell more stories in the morning at the Panora Library, which isn’t far from Georgia Wilson’s house in the background of the cover photo of Leora’s Early Years.
