2005 WILSON REUNION (SEE PRESS RELEASE BELOW)
WILSON’S CELEBRATE 96TH
ANNUAL REUNION IN MORAVIA PARK
The 96th Annual Wilson Reunion was held Sunday, August 14, 2005 in the Moravia City Park, Moravia, Iowa. A traditional carry-in meal was served shortly after the noon whistle.
Election of officers was held. This year’s slate of officers is: Rhea Wilson, President; Keith Hanson, Vice President; Marla Wilson-Batterson, Treasurer; and Kerry Wilson, Secretary. The officers will serve for four years. Ice Cream was served for desert at 2:00 P.M., compliments of Bob, Ed, and Phil Hutchings. Many thanks to the Hutchings!
About the Wilson Reunion
Jesse and Miram Wilson, the patriarch and matriarch of this Wilson Clan moved to Moravia in 1857 from North Carolina. They had seven children: Nathan, Abel, Mary, Rachel, Ephriam, John and Martha. Rachel married and was moving away from Moravia in August 1910 to homestead in Wyoming, so the family was called together for a reunion. The 1910 gathering started a tradition that had been carried on for 96 years. The reunion was held at Miriam’s farm for several years. It was held at the home of the children for several years. It has been held at the Moravia City Park since the 1950’s. The reunion is always held on the Sunday closest to the 16th of August, which was Miram’s birthday, and is still held within 5 miles of its original location.
Resolution
This gathering of Wilson family and friends do hereby resolve the following:
· That we hereby reaffirm our dedication to this annual family reunion.
· That we will each endeavor to attend with our families each year.
· That we will place special emphasis on attending the 100th Annual Wilson Reunion.
· That we will set aside the seven days of August 13-19, 2009 as Wilson Week.
· That we recognize Sunday August 16, 2009 as the 100th Annual Wilson Reunion.
John Wilson submitted the resolution. Dated this day, August 14, 2005 at the Moravia, Iowa City Park, the site of the 96th Annual Wilson Reunion, all held within five miles of the same location since 1910. The Resolution passed by unanimous vote of all present.
WilsonFamily.net
The Wilson family now boasts of it’s own web site. Family members can log in, and update their address, and view names and addresses of other family members. Others may also point their browser to the site: http://wilsonfamily.net and read family history, and view photos of recent reunions. Photos are posted of the 2002 reunion, and photos will soon be posted of the 2003 reunion. Press releases are posted of the last 3 reunions. To add names to the database, please email information to kwilson@kerrywilson.com
Upcoming: 100th Reunion
Plans are underway for a special celebration to mark the 100th reunion, which will be held Sunday August 16, 2009. The slate of officers elected this year will also serve as a committee for the 100th Reunion.
96th
Reunion Attendees
Ninety-one relatives attended the 2005 reunion: Kerry Wilson, Gadsden, AL; Casey Ann, Donald, and Gage Dowd, Moravia, IA; John, Annabelle, and Neal Wilson, Sycamore, IL; Keith and Judy Hansen, Marion, IA; Georgia, Dean, and Mary Brown, Des Moines, IA; James and Charlene Wilson, Moravia, IA; Jeff, Sherri, Anna, and Maggie Vining, Des Moines, IA; Paul and Deanna Wilson, Moravia, IA; Dana Moritz, Centerville, IA; Joann, Johnny, and Jessie Louis, Sycamore, IL; Richard, Rhea, and Cody Wilson, Moravia, IA; Milton, Julie, Chelsey, Mallory, and Abby Wilson, Moravia, IA; Leonard Thomas “Tom” Wilson, Jr., and Mary Ann Wilson, Lilburn, GA; Linda and Nathan Wilson, Moravia; IA; Lois Wilson, Moravia, IA; Henry, Sharron Jonathan, Jenifer, and Karla Moritz, Urbandale, IA; Sally and Tom Stewart, Oak Park, IL; Philip Hutchings, Mesa, AZ; Melanie, Jeremy, Emma, and Jacob Osborne, Urbandale, IA; Marla Wilson Batterson, Cory, Kaitlyn, Cody, Kelsey, and Colby Batterson, Pleasant Hill IA; Andrea, Keagan, and Kade Dolphin, Des Moines, IA; Edward Hutchings, Pheoniz, AZ; Robert and Doretta Hutchings, Mesa, AZ; Garrett, Shonna and Blake Wilson, Mitchelville, IA; Marcia Wilson Zaputal, and Dave Zaputal, Moravia, IA; Stephanie Zaputal Ervin and Dave, Cheyenne, and Dalton Ervin, Moravia, IA; Melissa Zaputal Moss, Dustyn, Peyton, Alyssa and Gentry Moss, Moravia, IA; Pat Miller Matson, San Diego, CA; Steve and Susan Cloyed, Firestone, CO; Doris Wilson, Moravia, IA; Jennifer Wilson, E. Moline, IL; Jayson and Jordan Ledford, E. Moline, IL; Janet Dowd Phelps, Moravia, IA; Carolyn Van Dorin (Annabelle Wilson’s sister as a guest); Garin, Alarie, and Kaylyn Wilson, Beacon, IA; Bob, Rachel and Laney Hoffman, Moravia, IA; Sharon Penfield, Moravia, IA.
President Brian Wilson of Canton Georgia sent his regrets that he could not attend the reunion. His wife Amy is expecting a baby soon, and could not travel.
Doris Wilson celebrated a birthday last week.
Dorthy Carver sent her regrets that she could not attend the reunion. She is 91 years old, and is believed to be the oldest Wilson.
Keith Hansen announced that his father Walter Hansen went to be with the Lord on August 8, 2005. (I have fond memories of Walt. I remember one time when he was sitting patting his belly after the meal. Vivian Wright made fun of his belly. He said, “Don’t make fun of my belly; I have a quarter of a million dollars invested in it.”) He will be missed.
Kevin and Cathy Wilson of Lilburn, GA sent word by way of Mary Ann Wilson of the birth of their son Jesse Wilson (named after the patriarch of the family), January, 2005.
Kerry and Joyce Wilson of Gadsden, AL announced the marriage of both of his daughters: Kelly Wilson to Scott Clough, Gadsden, AL, September 2004; Kacey Wilson to Josh Dodd, Gadsden, AL, March 2004. Both couples are living down the street from Kerry and Joyce. Kelly Clough and Josh Dodd are both employed by Kerry Wilson, in the family business.
Phil Hutchings reported that he was happy to be here in Iowa enjoying the green grass and rain, after the hot summer they have experienced in Arizona.
Ed Hutchings reports that he is enjoying the Reunion and the visit to Iowa. He has three boys ages 23 to 27. One son is serving in Iraq, and asks us to pray for and support him, and all of the troops serving abroad.
A Secretary report was made and approved. A Treasurer’s report was made and approved. Officers were elected. The Reunion was concluded at 4:00 P.M.
WILSON REUNION HOME PAGE http://wilsonfamily.net/ (Data Base)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wilson_hoj/ (Discussion Group)
Photos & Press Releases from recent reunions:
2006 WILSON REUNION 2005 WILSON REUNION 2004 WILSON REUNION 2003 WILSON REUNION 2002 WILSON REUNION 2001 WILSON REUNION 1999 WILSON REUNION 1998 WILSON REUNION