The Heber Valley Heritage Foundation Midway Fort Family of the week is that of George Wilson K2MS-PHQ. 

George Wilson was born in September 1831, in Mavemacullen, County Armagh, Ireland, his father, Thomas Wilson, was 43 and his mother, Jane Ellis, was 33. He married Cordelia Case about 1879. They were the parents of at least 2 sons. He lived in Dalry, Ayrshire, Scotland, United Kingdom in 1851 and Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States in 1860. He died on 25 January 1902, in Midway, Wasatch, Utah, United States, at the age of 70, and was buried in Midway, Wasatch, Utah, United States. In the 1860 Census he was living in Salt Lake City with his widow mother Jane. He was 25 years old and listed himself as Laborer with a value of possessed assets of 50$

In the book How Beautiful Upon the Mountains, Midway Biographies. Page 685, it indicates that George Wilson, Sr. married Elizabeth Clayburn not further identified. They had no children. He subsequently married. Cordelia Case. Not much is known about George but here is what we know. The Wilson family left Ireland in 1839 when George was 8 years old and moved to Ayrshire County, Scotland to find work. The men and boys went to work in the coal pits. Members of the Wilson family were taught the Gospel by the Elders and joined the LDS Church. George was baptized a member of the LDS Church by Mathew Rowen June 23, 1848, in Dalry, Ayr, Scotland. In the 1851 Census of Dalry, Scotland, George is shown as a16 years old and lists his occupation as Ironstone Miner, born in Ireland.

George’s father Thomas Wilson passed away December 29, 1851, in Dalry, Ayrshire, Scotland. James T. Wilson, George’s older brother was chosen by his family to go ahead to Zion to prepare the way for the rest of the family. He arrived in Salt Lake in September 852. He borrowed money to send for the rest of the family. His father had died, but the others

arrived in September 1854. As a result of his efforts (James T. Wilson) and with the help of the perpetual immigration fund, the rest of Wilson family sailed from Liverpool on the vessel James M Wood on 12 March 1854. At the time, George Wilson was listed as being 22 years of age and a miner. On October 4th, 1854, they arrived in Salt Lake City from Scotland. The 1860 Salt Lake City Census lists George Wilson as a laborer age 25 living with his Mother Jane Wilson age 59 in the 10th Ward in Salt Lake City. His mother passed on 26 August 1863 in Salt Lake City and was buried there. It appears George moved to Midway after her death.

George Wilson is listed in the Midway Fort, on the east side along with his brother Wiliam Wilson. The Midway Fort, existed for two years 1866-1868, George served in Indian Wars within the State of Utah for 5 months beginning in October 1866- May 1867 under the direction of Captain Ira G Jacobs. George was sent back to Ireland as a missionary several times. We don’t know much more about George other that he married Cordelia Case about 1879.

Cordelia Case KWV2-663 was born on 27 November 1848, in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States, her father, Solomon Cowles Case, was 23 and her mother, Emily Melissa Richey, was 18. She married John Thomas Mathews in 1870, in Salt Lake, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 4 sons.

In the book How Beautiful Upon the Mountains, page 685, it indicates that “she (referring to Cordial Case) finally separated from John Matthews and entrusted her children to the care of friends and neighbors. During the daytime she went to work as a servant and wash woman to provide for her young family. About 1879 she met and married George Wilson and with her new husband and children began a new life of hope and promise. Two more sons were born to this marriage. George J and James T Wilson.

It was in Midway that Aunt Deli as she became known., blossomed into the fullness of her life, she began to serve as a midwife and for more than two generations was the only nurse and midwife in the community.

She was a friend to all, and mother’s especially looked to her for comfort, health and courage. She would leave her work and go to one in time of sickness or trouble. She never tired in her efforts to restore health and to bring words of comfort and cheer when needed. In most cases she received little renumeration, if any at all. During the time she lived in midway, she brought more than 600 children into the world.

Throughout her life, she was a faithful member of the church and had a profound influence on the lives of those she taught she served as president of the primary association in Midway for 20years, often finding it necessary to develop her own lessons and programs. She worked in the Relief Society in addition to her nursing and midwife responsibilities, caring for those who needed her help. She was blessed with an active life, right? Up until death claimed her.” She died on 20 August 1922, in Midway, Wasatch, Utah, United States, at the age of 73, and was buried in Midway, Wasatch, Utah, United States.

Children of George and Cordelia

George James Wilson was born on 25 November 1886, in Midway, Wasatch, Utah, United States, his father, George Wilson, was 55 and his mother, Cordelia Case, was 37. He died on 19 August 1954, in Midway, Wasatch, Utah, United States, at the age of 67, and was buried in Midway City Cemetery, Midway, Wasatch, Utah, United States.

James Thomas Wilson was born on 5 February 1890, in Midway, Wasatch, Utah, United States, his father, George Wilson, was 58 and his mother, Cordelia Case, was 41. He married Edith Shelton on 8 March 1916, in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 5 sons and 6 daughters. He lived in Midway Election Precinct, Wasatch, Utah, United States in 1940. He died on 20 June 1946, in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States, at the age of 56, and was buried in Midway, Wasatch, Utah, United States.

Cordelia Case had four children from her prior marriage. Three of the children appear to have been raised by George and Cordelia in Midway. Her son John Mathews passed as an infant.

John Mathews was born on 5 September 1869, in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States, his father, John Thomas Mathews, was 27 and his mother, Cordelia Case, was 20. He died on 26 September 1869, in his hometown, at the age of 0, and was buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States.

Thomas Wilson Mathews was born on 27 August 1870, in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States, his father, John Thomas Mathews, was 28 and his mother, Cordelia Case, was 21. He married Emma Luella Abegglen on 19 June 1897, in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 4 sons and 1 daughter. He died on 25 July 1937, in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States, at the age of 66, and was buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States.

Orson Pratt Mathews was born on 12 March 1873, in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States, his father, John Thomas Mathews, was 31 and his mother, Cordelia Case, was 24. He married Leah Verena Kohler on 24 March 1908, in Salt Lake, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 3 daughters. He lived in Election Precinct 5, Salt Lake, Utah, United States in 1940 and Utah, United States for about 5 years. He registered for military service in 1898. He died on 11 December 1964, at the age of 91, and was buried in Midway, Wasatch, Utah, United States.

William James Mathews was born on 30 September 1876, in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States, his father, John Thomas Mathews, was 34 and his mother, Cordelia Case, was 27. He married Ruth Lunica Epperson on 2 January 1899, in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 5 sons and 2 daughters. He lived in Midway, Wasatch, Utah, United States in 1910 and Myton, Duchesne, Utah, United States in 1920. He died on 8 February 1927, in Pocatello, Bannock, Idaho, United States, at the age of 50, and was buried in Midway City Cemetery, Midway, Wasatch, Utah, United States.

Heber Valley Heritage Foundation written by Jason Moulton