Bert Winiford Wilson and Clara Mabel Wimer

The Wilson family came to western Pennsylvania from Berks County in the early 1840’s, and are presumably of English, Scottish or Scots Irish ancestry. Bert Wilson’s mother was a Stoughton, with English and Dutch ancestry. The Wilsons and Stoughtons were among the pioneer settlers of Butler County, Pennsylvania.

Bert was born 28 February 1891 to James L. Wilson and Elizabeth Ann Stoughton Wilson. Bert grew up as the youngest of four children, with two older brothers and a sister. He attended grade school, and learned reading and writing. With his father he became familiar with the farm, logging sites and the saw mill. They also enjoyed hunting wild game. (Read the complete biography of Bert Winiford Wilson)

	Date	Location	Notes	Sources
Birth	28 Feb 1891	Muddy Creek Township, Butler County, PA		^[11][13]
Marriage	1911		To Clara Mabel Wimer	^[13]
Death	23 May 1971	in the Franklin, PA hospital	Prostate cancer	^{[8] [11][13][14][17]}
Burial	28 May 1971	Nickleville Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Nickleville, Venango County, PA	Criswell Funeral Home, Emlenton	^[11][17]

Ancestry chart segment

 Generation 2             Generation 3              Generation 4
 
                                                 +-- James Luther Wilson
                                                 |   (1857-1929)   
                      +-- Bert Winiford Wilson --+
                      |   (1891-1971)            |
 John Thomas Wilson --+                          +-- Elizabeth Ann Stoughton
 (1917-1985)          |                              (1862-1932)
                      +-- Clara Mabel Wimer
                          (1891-1944)

Sources: ^{[1] [13][14]}

Children

(all children with Clara Mabel Wimer)

Name	Gender	Date of Birth	Birthplace	Spouse	Notes	Sources
Ruth M. Wilson	F	11 May 1912	Worth Township, Butler County, PA	1) George Vergis 2) Evan McClelland		^{[3] [4] [9][13][14]}
Edwin Delbert Wilson	M	9 Dec 1914	Worth Township, Butler County, PA	1) Faye McClellan 2) Vesta Jo [unknown]		^{[3] [4] [9][13][14]}
John Thomas Wilson	M	10 Nov 1917	Worth Township, Butler County, PA	Ella May Beals	Direct line	^{[3] [4] [9][13][14]}
Russell W. Wilson	M	14 Jun 1920	Worth Township, Butler County, PA	1) Eloise M. White 2) Freda Hahn		^{[4] [5][9][13][14]}
Ray B. Wilson	M	15 Jul 1923	Worth Township, Butler County, PA	Barbara Paden		^{[4][5] [9][13][14]}
Allene M. Wilson	F	12 May 1926	Worth Township, Butler County, PA	William Heeter		^{[4][5] [9][13][14]}
Pauline Wilson	F	8 Feb 1930	Nickleville,Richland T. Venango County, PA	-never married-	died 1 day old	^[10][13]

Places of Residence

Location	Dates	Notes	Sources
Muddy Creek Twp., Butler Co. PA	born 1891	This location may be erroneous; his parents appears to be in Brady Twp by 1880	^[13]
Brady Township, Butler County, PA	1900		^[1]
near Slippery Rock, Worth Township, Butler County, PA	before 1910 - ~1930		^{[2] [3] [6] [9]}
Nickleville, Richland Township, Butler County, PA	~1930 - 1971		^{[4][5] [7] [8] [9]}

Photo Gallery

Wilson -McDeavitt sawmill with James L. Wilson at center in dark suit & hat, Bert Winiford Wilson at right wearing a cap.

Wedding portrait of Bert Winiford Wilson and Clara Mabel Wimer

Bert Winiford Wilson and Clara Mabel Wimer at the farmhouse in Worth Twp., Butler Co.

Small barn on old Bert Wilson farm, Worth Twp., Butler Co. PA

Wilson farmhouse, Worth Twp., Butler Co. PA. Porch addition by current owners. Russell W. Wilson is standing at door takling to current owner.

Site of former Wilson Garage & car dealership, at intersection of Rt. 73 and West Liberty Rd., just south of downtown Slippery Rock

Wilson farm in Nickleville, Venango Co. PA

Gravestone of Bert W. Wilson & Clara M. Wimer, Nickleville Presbyterian Cemetery, Venango Co. PA

Hannah Jane Nickle at her store in Nickleville, later owned by the Kelly family

Kelly Store, Nickleville shortly before its demolition in 2007

The Kelly Store, a general store and at one time the post office, was a familiar Nickleville landmark to the Wilson family. After their parents died, sisters Marian & Ruth Kelly continued to run the store for a time. Marian & Ruth were friends of John & Ella Wilson; had gone to high school with them at Emlenton. Plans were in place for the store to be destroyed in June 2007 when this photo was taken. The store was originally built by the Nickle family, founders of Nickleville.

1967 wedding reception

Bert Wilson & housekeeper Anna Fisher, 1971

Bert Wilson and son John T. Wilson, 1971

Wedding reception 1967, for marriage of Elizabeth Ann Wilson & Edmond Brady Williams, Jr. .
Receiving line (back row) L to R: living Wilson, Elizabeth Wilson Williams& husband Edmond Brady Williams, Jr., Edmond Brady Williams & wife Jetta King Williams, John T. Wilson & wife Ella Beals Wilson.
Guest line (front row) L to R: Ruth Wilson McClellan, Anna Fisher, Bert Wilson, Allene Heeter & husband Bill Heeter. This photo includes Grandad Bert Wilson with his 2nd oldest son John (far right in white jacket), Bert's younger daughter Allene (orange suit), two Wilson granddaughters (the bride and bridesmaid), his housekeeper Anna Fisher (orange paisley), and his oldest child Ruth McClellan (in biege, at far left).
These are two rare images of Anna Fisher, the longtime housekeeper, cook, and companion of Bert Wilson after the death of his wife. She always welcomed the visiting grandchildren with a roast beef and mashed potato dinner.

Sources

Ref. Num.	Description	Image of original
1	1900 United States Federal Census, Brady Township, Butler County, PA, Enumeration District 53, Page 2, lines 94-98 lists James L. Wilson, 43, born Feb. 1857, married to Elizabeth A. Wilson, 38, born Feb. 1862. They live with their three sons, John L. Wilson, 19, born Oct. 1880; James L. Wilson, 12, born Aug. 1887; and Bert W. Wilson, 10, born Feb. 1891. Bert's place of birth is listed as PA. Bert is listed as being able to read, write, and speak English. This census page is dated 5 Jun 1900.
2	1910 United States Federal Census, Worth Township, Butler County, PA, Enumeration District 108, Page 3, lines 73-77 lists James L. Wilson, 53, married to Elizabeth A. Wilson, 48. They live with three children: son John L. Wilson, 28; son James G. Wilson, 22; and son Bert W. Wilson, 19. James L. Wilson and Elizabeth A. Wilson have been married for 30 years. Elizabeth has born 4 children, 3 of which are still alive. Everyone and their parents were born in PA. Everyone can read, write, and speak English. James L. Wilson's occupation is listed as "farmer." John L. and Bert W. Wilson are listed as a farm laborers on the home farm. James G. Wilson is listed as a sawman[?] in a mill. This census page is dated 22 April 1910.
3	1920 United States Federal Census, Worth Township, Butler County, PA, Enumeration District 66, Page 7, lines 84-88 lists Bert W. Wilson, 28, married to Clara M. Wilson, 28. Their daughter, Ruth M. Wilson, 7, and two sons, Edwin D. Wilson, 4, and John T. Wilson, 2 years and one month, are listed as well. Bert is listed as having been born in PA. His profession is listed as "Laborer" on a rented farm. His census record is immediately followed by that of his father, James L. Wilson, suggesting that they lived on adjacent property. This census page is dated 23 and 24 January 1920.
4	1930 United States Federal Census, Richland Township, Venango County, PA, Enumeration District 61-40, Page 6, lines 65-73 lists Birt W. Wilson, 39, married to Clara M. Wilson, 38. They live with six children and a live-in farm laborer: daughter Ruth M. Wilson, 17; son Edwin D., 15; son John T. Wilson, 12; son Russel W. Wilson, 9; son Ray B. Wilson, 6; daughter Allene N. Wilson, 3 years and 10 months; and laborer Lester Lawrence, 43. When Birt W. Wilson and Clara M. Wilson got married, he was 20 and she was 19. All of the children except Allene attended school within the census year. Everyone but Allene can read, write, and speak English. Everyone and their parents were born in PA. Birt W. Wilson's occupation is listed as "Farmer." This census page is dated April 15th, 1930. Note: Lester Lawrence was a bachelor cousin of Bert Wilson's. Bert's mother, Ella, and Les's mother, Annie, were Stoughton sisters.
5	1940 United States Federal Census, Enum. Dist. 61-54A, Richland Twp, Venango Co., PA, page 3. Census dated 4 Apr 1940. Lines 5-11: Bert Wilson, age 49, head, b. PA, m., farmer; Clara, age 48, wife; Russell, age 19, son; Ray, age 16, son, att'd school; Aline, age 13, dau., att'd school; Lester Lawrence, age 52, cousin; Harry Sethman, age 77, lodger. All b. PA except Mr. Sethman b. IL. No one had income from wages.
6	World War I Draft Registration Card dated June [illegible], 1917. Name Bert Wineford Wilson, living in Slippery Rock, PA, age 26. Born 28 Feb 1891 in Brady Township, Butler County, PA. Self-employed as a farmer. Has a wife and two children. Describes self as a medium-height, slender, caucasian with blue eyes and light brown hair.
7	World War II Draft Registration Card dated 27 Apr 1942. Name Bert Winniford Wilson, living in Nickleville, Richland Township, Venango County, PA, age 51. Born 28 Feb 1891 in Muddy Creek Township, Butler County, PA. Self employed as a farmer and "oil & gas producer" in Nickleville. Is 5' 6.5" tall, 152 pounds. Caucasian with blue eyes, brown hair, and a "light" complexion.
8	Social Security Death Index, Master File, Social Security Administration. Lists a Bert Wilson, born Feb. 28, 1891 and died May, 1971. The SSN was issued "before 1951." Also lists last residence as "16373 Emlenton, Venango, PA."
9	Obituary for Clara Mabel Wimer. Lists name as Mrs. Clara Mabel Wilson, wife of Bert W. Wilson of Nickleville. She died at the age of 52. Born near Slippery Rock to Isaac and Margaret Robinson Wimer. Clara and Bert lived near Slippery Rock until 14 years before her death, when they moved to Nickleville. She is survived by her husband, her mother Margaret Wimer, six children: Edwin D. Wilson, Russell W. Wilson, and Allene M. Wilson living at the family home, plus Ruth Vergis, John T. Wilson, and Ray B. Wilson living elsewhere; plus the following brothers and sisters: Stella McNeese, Lizzie McDeavitt, James Wimer, Mary Cathagan, Meda McDeavitt, Ida Spillwagon, and Lawrence Wimer.
10	Obituary for John Thomas Wilson.	private
11	Gravestone at Nickleville Presbyterian Cemetery, Venango County, PA. Transcribed Oct 2006 by Elizabeth Wilson Williams. Bert W. Wilson Born Feb 28 1891 Died May 23 1971, Clara M. Wimer Wilson Born Oct 26 1891 Died Mar 23 1944
12	Butler County, PA, 1916 Farm Directory, page 202, lists Bert W. Wilson living with two children on a 100 acre peach farm which he owns. The farm is located on rd 1, Prospect, Muddy Creek Twp, highway 50.
13	Manuscript of John T. Wilson researched 1975-1985, including personal knowledge and interviews of McDeavitt cousins and of his aunts Stella Wimer (McNeese), Lizzy Wimer (McDeavitt), Meda Wimer (McDeavitt), and Mary Gahagan. John T. Wilson was a son of Bert W. Wilson.
14	Personal correspondence from Elizabeth Wilson Williams, granddaughter of Bert Winiford Wilson.	N/A
15	WWII Enlistment Records from Ancestry.com John T. Wilson born 1917 in PA, resident of Venango Co. PA, enlisted 30 July 1943 at Erie PA, rank of private. Married. Russell W. Wilson born 1920 in PA, resident of Venango Co. PA, 4 yrs High school, married, ht.66, wt. 993. Enlisted 13 Jule 1944 at New Cumberland PA, rank of private. Ray B. Wilson born 1923 in PA, resident of Alaska, 2 yrs. high school, single,no dependants, ht. 83, wt. 94. Enlisted 26 May 1943 at Erie PA, rank of private.
16	Obituary Bert W. Wilson, Butler Eagle, edition of 24 May 1971 (microfilm Roll 379 pg 8 submitted by Jan Finke). Bert W. Wilson, age 80, of Emlenton R.D. 1, died Sunday (i.e. May 23). Born 28 Feb 1891, Muddy Creek Twp., son of the late James Lutheran (sic) and Elizabeth Ann Stoughton Wilson. He was engaged in oil drilling and farming until 1968. Wife Clara M. Wimer died 23 Mar. 1944. Two brothers and a sister preceded him in death. Surviving are 4 sons & 2 daughters: Edward D. of Las Vegas NV, John T. of Scottsboro AL, Russell W. or Oil City, Ray B. of Mercer, Mrs. Evan (Ruth) McClelland of Franklin, Mrs. Wm. (Allene) Heeter of Emlenton R. D. 1. 19 grandchildren & 8 great-grandchildren. R. F. Criswell Funeral Home, Emlenton; Rev. Richard Downey, pastor of Rockland United Methodist Ch.; burial Nickleville Cemetery.
17	Death Certificate Bert W. Wilson No. 4334874, Pennsylvania Division of Vital Records. Bert W. Wilson died May 23, 1971, age 80, at Franklin Hospital, Venango Co. PA. Resident of Richland Twp., Venango Co.PA. White male, widowed. Occupation: driller & farmer. Born Feb 28, 1891. Father: James Luther Wilson. Mother's Maiden Name: Elizabeth Ann Stoughton. Informant's name, address: Russell W. Wilson, Oil City, PA. Cause of death: prostate cancer 8 yrs, metastatic cancer 2 yrs, immediate cause pneumonia 1 wks. Burial May 28, 1971, Nickleville Cemetery, RD 1, Emlenton PA. Funeral Director __ Criswell, Emlenton PA.

Source notes

^{[6] [7]} The two draft registration cards list different townships of birth. This is possibly due to changes in township boundaries, but that has not been cofirmed. The two cards also list different spellings for Bert's middle name. The actual correct spelling, "Winiford", is confirmed by his son Russell Winiford Wilson who shares the name.

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Bert Winiford Wilson

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