Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 - 1953), Thursday 6 January 1944, page 2


OBITUARY .-z JAMES WILSON.We We regret to have to record the death of another of our old and es-teemed townsmen in the person of Mr. James Wilson, who passed away at the Kia Ora private hospital on the 25th December, at the ripe age of 80 years. He was a son of the late Mr. John and Agnes Wilson, early settlers at The Lagoons, Bridgewater, and was the last surviving member of a family of twelve sons and daughters, namely, John, William, George, Isa-bella (Mrs. Holmes), Agnes (Mrs. Jas. Hardie), Walter, Margaret (Mrs. Brown, Nelson), Jessie (Mrs. Wit-kins), John Matthew,, Charles and Frederick. James was born at The Lagoons on August 10, 1868. In 1886 he married Miss Priscilla Hollard. There was no family. Mrs. Wilson died in January, 1943, at Portland. Mr. Wilson carried on business in Portland for many years as hairdresser and tobacconist. He was also for some time a repre-sentative of the well-known auction-, eering firm of Messrs. Learmonth and Co. He removed to Melbourne and was occupied in business there for a considerable time and returned to Portland about seven years ago, and spent his remaining years In retire-ment. He had been failing in health for some time. He had lately, follow-ing the death of his wife, resided with the Misses Kerr, at Wattle Hill. On' December 18 he had a seizure and passed away a few days later, as stated. During his long residence in Portland he was closely associated with the Methodist Church and Sun-day School, and was a member of the Sons of Temperance benefit society. He followed local affairs with more than passing Interest and on one oc-casion contested a Borough Council election unsuccessfully. The funeral on the 27th was largely attended. Services at the Methodist Church and graveside were conducted by the Rev. Wesley Hobbs. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. T. C. Jarrett.