Jerry Willison

It is expected that the friends of Jerry Willison, who died at the American house yesterday, will arrive here tomorrow night, provided they are fortunate enough to make desired railroad connections. Some difficulty was experienced in reaching them by telegraph, causing delay, and they were unable to start on the journey from Ohio until some time last night.

Jerry Willison was born June 13, 1863, in Hartford township, Licking county, Ohio, died in Ponca City, Oklahoma, December 5, 1905. He resided at the place of his birth until 1885 when he went to Scott county, Kansas, where he remained until the opening of the Strip to settlement, when he came to Oklahoma to secure a home for himself. In 1894 he was married to Miss Kate Wealon [Wealand] and to them were born three children, Leo, Dale and Mattie. The wife died June 22, 1904. and little Mattie December 12, 1904, leaving the two little boys as the sole surviving member of this once happy family. Deceased also leaves to mourn the loss of a good son and brother, his father, mother, two brothers and two sisters, all residing at or near the old home in Ohio. The mother and two brothers were present at the funeral, which was held at the Enterprise church east of this city on Thursday, Dec. 7, and was largely attended by the friends and neighbors. The two little boys well be tenderly cared for by their grandparents at their home in Ohio.
Jerry Willison was one of Kay county’s most substantial and best respected citizens, having resided on the fine farm east of this city, which he secured at the opening until the death of his wife a year ago last June, since which time he has resided in this city. Both the deceased and his wife were very highly esteemed in the community in which they resided, as was shown by the large number of old friends and neighbors who attended the funeral. The relatives here and in Ohio have the sympathy of all in the great sorrow that has come upon them.