From Proud Heritage, Volume I by DCPA, currently out of print.
Orville H. Wilson married Rachel Ann Sanders on 18 July 1872 in Dallas County, Texas, and they settled near the Rose Hill community. Orville Wilson was born 1 August 1848 in Panola County, Mississsippi, the son of Thomas G. Wilson and Elizabeth Beasly. His brothers and sisters were Sarah, William, Mary, James and possibly others.
Rachel’s parents were William H. Sanders and Elizabeth Quick, and she was born on 4 November 1855 in Osage County, Missouri. She came to Dallas County with her parents in 1864.
Orville and Rachel Sanders Wilson had twelve children, of whom ten lived to maturity. They were: Sarah Elizabeth born 10 July 1873, married James Andrew White 12 February 1891, died 23 March 1909; Thomas born 12 May 1875, married Annie Brandenburg 11 August 1895; Matilda Ellen died young; Rosa born 2 February 1880, married Philemon Reynolds 9 September 1900, lived in Terrell, Kaufman County, Texas; Charley born 29 March 1881, married Lillian Woods; George born 28 August 1883, married Lula Jackson 22 May 1903; Florence born 30 December 1886, married J. Milton Cannon 5 May 1904, died 12 April 1967, Johnson County, Texas; Laura married (1) A. C. (Dick) Hyatt, Sr. 16 April 1911, married (2) W. R. Wilson, died 2 February 1963, Crosby County, Texas; Nora died young; Wesley born 23 May 1892; Irene born 2 March 1895, married Jimmie Moore 31 May 1922, lived in Clarendon, Jack County, Texas; and Hugh born 10 May 1898, married Katharine Harris 13 April 1927.
Before 1910, Orville Wilson moved to Wilbarger County, Texas, where he owned a grocery store in Vernon. He died 15 July 1921 in Polytechnic, Tarrant County, Texas, and was buried in the Lyons Cemetery in Dallas County, beside his two infant daughters. Rachel made her home with her daughter, Rosa, in Terrell, Kaufman County, Texas, during her last years and died there on 13 December 1935. She was also buried in the Lyons Cemetery in Dallas County.
By Sue Byrum Harris (Mrs. Nat), Dallas
