Guy Wilson received word Saturday that his aged mother, Mrs. P. Z.Wilson, suffered a third paralytic stroke Saturday and was in a very precarious condition. He went over Sunday and was present when death claimed her at about 2 o’clock in the afternoon. The funeral was held yesterday and the Blair store was closed in memory of “mother”. Mr. and Mrs. P. Z. Wilson were pioneers in this county, settling near Telbasta in 1879 when they came from Oshkosh, Wis. Soon after Mr. Wilson engaged in the mercantile business a Telbasta and later at Arlington where his death occurred about seven years ago. The firm of “P.Z. The Shoe Man” was founded by him, and besides the Telbasta and Arlington stores, they operate the Blair store and also one at Waterloo. There are two sons, Wm. A. of Arlington and Guy Wilson of the city, and one daughter, Mrs. John Laaker of Arlington.

#2-27 May, 1909 - Blair Democrat - Mrs. P. Z. Wilson (from “Arlington Breviates” news section)

Mrs. P. Z. Wilson, who Saturday was stricken with paralysis, died Sunday at about 2 o’clock in the afternoon, all of the children and relatives excepting a sister who is in Maine, being at her bedside. Mrs. Wilson had suffered two strokes previous to this last, the first about 12 years ago and the second a little over one year ago. In the year 1879 Mrs. Wilson, with her husband, came to Arlington from Oshkosh, Wis., and shortly after their arrival engaged in the general merchandise business. In which Mr. Wilson was active from that time until his death seven years ago. Mrs. Wilson continued to make her home here after her husband’s death, and was always ready to take an active part in any work that tended toward the betterment and uplifting of those around her. She was in her usual good health up until Saturday, and her death was a shock to the county. She is survived by two sons, Guy of Blair and William A. who still conducts the business here that was established by his father, one daughter, Mrs. John Laaker, who with her husband also has an interest in the business, and one sister who resides in Maine. The funeral was held Tuesday.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #43005333