Minnie Ann Stratton Wilson

Minnie Ann Stratton Wilson - My Maternal Great Grandmother

In going through my dad’s family history files I came across information on my great-grandmother, Minnie Ann Stratton. I have written about her husband, Morris Wilson, Jr. and decided it was time to find out more about the woman who was at the side of this great man. The first thing I found on her was a short tribute written by her daughter and my grandmother, Thora Wilson Gubler as follows: 

My mother was a very hard worker all her life. She was really fast and could work circles around most people. She always accomplished a lot during one day.
While my father was called on a mission to Idaho, on a special assignment for the church for 6 months, mother had Afton and was expecting her second child. He was born and only lived 1 month and died with pneumonia and my dad never did get to see him. It was very hard on both of them. 

When we lived in the little house back of the big house (Later used as a storage or shed.) It consisted of two rooms and Pres. David O. McKay, then a Sunday School superintendent, came and stayed with us. They were given mother and dad’s bed and mother and dad slept in the kitchen. They were made welcome and came back again when we moved into the big house. 

We always had company, sometimes for a month at a time and they were no relation to us, but they were always welcome. Many times I would wonder whatever will mother have for dinner, but she always could fix a very good meal it seemed out of nothing. Mother was known all over for her cream pies. She was always making pies to take to someone. 

During fruit time, dad’s load of fruit was prepared and readied for him on Saturday so he could leave on Monday at four o’clock in the morning. I have heard my dad say that he never lost a peach or any other fruit by getting it ready on Saturday. Mother worked right along with us all to get it ready. 

I knew all the people that came from St. George Stake always came for two nights and left early Monday morning to go home. 

My mother was Ed’s and Marge’s Sunday School teacher and I still have some of the dishes the different classes gave her for being their teacher. She was a great lady. 

The following are excerpts from a history found in the same file. It was dated 1992, but no author listed. It was put together by a descendant for a Wilson Family Reunion. 

Minnie Ann Stratton was born in Virgin, Utah on 14 July 1876. She was the sixth of twelve children born to James Albert and Emily Amanda Gardner Stratton. She attended the Murdock Academy in Beaver, Utah, probably with the intent of becoming a teacher. At the age of 22 on 2 May 1899 she married Morris Wilson, Jr.

In the early years of Morris and Minnie’s marriage were in Mountain Dell where their first three children were born, Morris Afton (1900), Eldon (1901), and Thora (1903, my grandma). In January 1904 Morris and Minnie moved to LaVerkin. On 23 June 1904 the LaVerkin Ward was organized and Morris Wilson was sustained as Bishop and remained Bishop for the next 24 years. Minnie was the first Young Women’s MIA president with meetings being held in private homes until the school house was built.

Minnie had a still-born daughter in 1904, followed by Wayne (1906). Minnie had a very difficult time with each of her pregnancies. She had to stay in bed the whole time and always got so thin that her bones came through the flesh. She was so ill with her sixth child, Reed (1910), that the doctor said she could not live through the pregnancy and wanted to take the baby. This she would not consent to. They had two more sons, Paul (1915) and Delworth (1917). 

Minnie was a wonderful helpmate, mother and grandmother. She kept a lovely home, was a good seamstress, did beautiful handwork, raised lovely flowers, made her own soap and always helped with the preparation of the farm goods that they sold for a living. She was active in the affairs of the church and town and held responsible positions all through the years, especially in the Ward and Stake Relief Society. She was an actively involved member of the DUP. Her boys were all good athletes and she was an avid sports fan and supported all of them in their activities.

In her later years Minnie’s health failed. She was ill for a long time, unable to read because of failing eye sight or use her hand for close work. She suffered realty from a broken hip and other ailments. She passed away on 27 May 1954.

It was interesting to read and learn more about my great-grandmother as I noticed that my mom and grandma carried on her wonderful attributes of service to others, hard-work, and faith and testimony.  I hope to carry on in their footsteps!