Delilah Wilson Anderson, photo courtesy of Ruth E. Anderson Walker
Delilah Wilson Anderson, photo
courtesy of Ruth E. Anderson Walker
Delilah Catherine “Kit”
Wilson Anderson
By: Marshall H. Sanders,
Jr.
Family records indicate Delilah C. Wilson was born March 12 1862 in Calvin Township Cass County Michigan. She was the daughter of Macom Wilson and Elvira Coker Wilson. Delilah had two siblings; they were James H. Wilson born May 31, 1869 and Frank Wilson born 1873.
Delilah’s nickname was “Kit” which was short for Catherine. At maturity Delilah was 5 feet 2 inches and weighted 150, she was considered “stout”.
On March 5, 1882 at the age of 19 Delilah Wilson married 21 year old John Wesley Anderson, in the Porter Township village of Williamsville located in Cass County Michigan. The couple was married by Justice of the Peace John Forbes; witnessed by Emma Forbes and Ethel Forbes of Williamsville.
John Wesley Anderson was born in Calvin Township on November 10, 1861. He was the son of John B. Anderson and Frances “Fanny” Allen Anderson.
Historical Note: The parents of John B. Anderson were Ezekiel Anderson (1788) and Winnie Esther Gowans(Goens)(1797). Ezekiel Anderson and Winnie Esther Anderson migrated to Michigan from Illinois.
Frances “Fanny” Allen was the daughter of Joseph Allen b. 1803 and Rebecca Tabourn b. 1805. Joseph and Rebecca Allen migrated to Michigan in 1848 via Northampton County North Carolina and Logan County Ohio.
Delilah and John Wesley Anderson were the parents of Adailyon Mae Anderson born August 9, 1882, Carl Bernard Anderson born December 17, 1883, Clarabelle Anderson b. Aug 12, 1886 and Elmer Anderson b. Sep 18, 1885. Elmer and Clarabelle both died in infancy.
Delilah possessed a quick temper when aroused. She was not only a woman of words but of action. Once on a train ride from Cassopolis Michigan to South Bend Indiana with her 10 year old son Carl a man made a derogatory comment about Carl being dressed in a white linen suit. Delilah took exception to the man’s statement and summarily whipped him with her umbrella. A conductor witnessing the altercation did not intervene.
When visitors called on Delilah at her home, she was very sociable; Delilah stopped her house work and eagerly waited on her guest and engaged in lively conversation. Delilah was known by friends and relatives as Aunt Kit or Grandma Anderson.
In a December 24, 1909 post card written to her brother James H. Wilson, Delilah wrote “Dear brother and family this leaves all well and hope that those and families will find you the same. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and happy new year I remain your loving sister, kiss the babies for me, I remain your sister.” Kit
Delilah‘s husband John Wesley Anderson died at the age of 64 on December 18, 1925. He is buried in Chain Lake Cemetery, Calvin Township Cass County Michigan.
Delilah Catherine Wilson Anderson was married a second time in 1926 to Charles Wilson. Charles Wilson was not related to Delilah’s parents Macom and Elvira nee Coker Wilson.
Delilah Catherine "Kit" Wilson Anderson died on February 10, 1931 at the age of 69. Ironically her brother Frank Wilson died on February 9, 1931. A joint funeral was held and both were buried on the same day at Chain Lake Cemetery, Calvin Township, Cass County Michigan with Rev. Peavy officiating.
The marker of Delilah Anderson is homemade constructed of poured concrete, with pressed digits and letters. Her marker indicates a birth year of 1863.
Research contributors for this biography are Ruth Anderson Walker, Granddaughter of Delilah Wilson Anderson, Sandra Walker Hollingsworth, Great Granddaughter, Maurice Wilson Sanders; Delilah Wilson Anderson was his Grand Aunt. Maurice is also Author of Allen-Sanders Descendants, 1985; holder of The Rosanna Allen Wilson, Ledger of Death Records and Esther P. Stewart.
James H. Wilson, brother of Delilah Wilson Anderson is the maternal Grandfather of Maurice Wilson Sanders and Marshall Howe Sanders, Jr.
The marker of Delilah Anderson was transcribed and photographed by Marshall H. Sanders, Jr.; Delilah Wilson Anderson is his Grand Aunt and Sharon A. Simeon. The Chain Lake (Lake View) Cemetery tombstone is located at http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/tsphoto/cass/chainlake.htm