Edmund R. Wills  1840 - 1918, Generation 4

Son of Meredith Melville Wills, Sr.

The following text was taken from Edmund's newspaper obituary (newspaper origin unknown) and provided by Tyra Edgel.

Obituary reads as follows: Edmund R. Wills, son of Meredith and Lydia Wills, was born on New River in Giles County, Virginia, March 20, 1840, and departed this life Feb. 19, 1918, aged 77 years, 10 months and 20 days. Mr. Wills was the seventh son in a family on thirteen children, 8 boys and 5 girls, eleven living to manhood and womanhood. Mr. Wills being the last surviving member of the family. His brother George Wills of Ross County, Ohio lived to the advanced age of 92 years, 2 months and 14 days. He was married to Miss Arritta Brothers, Nov. 10, 1865, by Rev. Jesse Ingels, father of J.C. Ingels of the First National Bank of Gallipolis, Ohio. To them were born seven children, four of whom are living, J.C. Wills, E. E. Wills, Mrs. Ira E. Green all of Bladen, and Mrs. B.V. Mooney of Gallipolis, Ohio. He also leaves to mourn, his aged widow and sixteen grandchildren. Mr. Wills worked for the government in the Commisionary Department during the greater part of the Civil War. He came to Ohio at the close of the Civil War where he has since lived, being a resident of Ohio township for 42 years. Mr. Wills was the first cousin of Rev. John Houck and Mrs. William Trotter, both deceased. He united with the Liberty Christian church in the year 1912 and was baptized by Rev. McCoy. In all his dealings honesty and uprightness were the Golden Rule of his life. For several years his health has been failing and all this time he has moved about in his quiet way as though waiting for the end. It has finally come. A long life is ended, a life's work is done, a journey is finished and now at home he can rest. He was a kind father and companion and will be greatly missed by his family and neighbors. His funeral was conducted at Bethel M.E. Church by Rev. Samuel Lewis and burial at the same place by undertaker J.W.Stevers.

Descendants of Edmund R. Wills

1 Edmund R. Wills Born: March 20, 1840 in Giles County, Virginia  Died: February 19, 1918 in Gallia County , Ohio Township, Ohio Age at death: 77
. +Aritta Brothers Born: 1846 Married: November 09, 1865 in Gallia County, Ohio Died: February 19, 1920 in Gallia County , Ohio Township, Ohio Age at death: 74 est.
2 Lilly Wills
2 John C. Wills Born: 1868
2 Infant Wills Born: May 29, 1868
2 Sarah Ellen Wills Born: May 10, 1870
2 Mary Samantha Wills Born: August 05, 1872
2 Edmund Ellsworth Wills Born: January 27, 1876 in Wills Hollow, Va. Died: 1943 Age at death: 67 est.
... +Mary Zimroad Clark Born: 1878 Died: 1939 Age at death: 61 est.