Genealogy of the Wisdom Family, 1675 to 1910

Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from LYRASIS members and Sloan Foundation http://www.archive.org/details/genealogyofwisdoOOwisd PHOTO BY HA2ELTINE STUDIO, BAKER, OREGON. 1890 GENEALOGY ofthe WISDOM FAMILY 1675 to 1910 \ \ '..>'> ^'' "•"*> ^vo^ ->i ' ' "," ' ' 1 ," ' • I -^ ^"'' '';'"^ • '''^,1 %- « 4 » 'W. ' ^^" Compiled by GEORGE W. WISDOM t-Great-Grandson of (4) Francis Torrence Wi and Son of (239) Thomas Barnes Wisdom > • • • •• • • • • • • • » • • • • • a • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • « • • > • • • • •• • • • > • • •• • • > • • • • • • • • • • 9 • • • • • • CONTENTS PAGE Portrait of Compiler Frontispiece Preface v Prelude vii Memorial {poem ) . xii Introduction xiii The Sunny Hours of Childhood {poem) i8 Abner Wisdom ( i ) 1675 19 Thanksgiving 20 Brinsley Mortimer Wisdom (2) Branch 23 Veteran of California Column 31 The "Savior" of Rome 32 Facsimile Letter (1853 ) 49-50 Poem 54 Pollard William Wisdom (3) Branch 57 Letter from W. W. Wisdom (81 ) 59 James M. Wisdom's (72) Family 64 Andrew Jackson Wisdom (74) 70 Francis Torrence Wisdom (4) Branch 77 Paducah's Only Millionaire 84 Letter from John Randolph Wisdom (379) .... 115 John R. Wisdom (379) Passed Away 116 A Story of the Early 6o's 124 Vesper Wisdom (414) 135 Obituary—M. D. Wisdom (400) 140 Aviator's Death—Everett Stanton Wisdom (433). 142 From Earth to Heaven (461) Nora B. Shanklin. 150 Crossing the Plains in the Early Days 176a Abner Wisdom, Jr. (5) Branch 179 Letter from W. J. V^isdom (650) 183 Letter from Thomas Wisdom (697) 197 Tavner Wisdom (6) Branch 205 Index 221 Explanation and Chart 229 Blank for Record of Lineage 2^1 P 9 7 *> a PREFACE The compilation of this work was begun March 9, 1890. The prosecution of it has been repeatedly interrupted by other occupations and by occasional derange- ment of health. It was only within the last eight years that I have been able to apply myself to it steadily. In renewing my task, I find it necessary to make the follow- ing statement: The history of a new country is that of the men who founded it. For more than a hundred years the history of the West has been in the making. At that time the ''West" meant Kentucky, and as ''Westward the star of empire takes its way," that term has been used to de- scribe each section from the AUeghanies to the peaceful Pacific. As each of these sections of the country was settled by intrepid pioneers—first Tennessee and Ken- tucky, then Missouri, and finally the great Oregon country, on the shores of the sunset seas—the Wisdom family was at the forefront, bearing its share of the burdens and sharing its part of the dangers. It has been a labor of love that the compiler of this sketch has been engaged in. It was undertaken primarily that his sons might have in compact form a brief, though accurate, account of their ancestors. The work is not intended as a history of the family or of any of its members, but it is only a genealogical sketch, and only the barest outlines have been attempted to be given. In presenting this sketch to the members of the Wisdom family, the writer will say that in all his researches he has found the Wisdoms to be men who are a credit to the pioneer history of a great republic. [v] The Wisdoms have not been aristocrats as that term is implied in the monarchies of Europe, but in the found- ing of this country they have represented that which means most to a free country—they have been industrious, brave and honorable. I will conclude by calling your attention to the fact that I have endeavored to execute my task with candor and fidelity—stating facts on what seemed to be good authority, and avoiding as much as pos- sible any false coloring or exaggeration. A careful colla- tion of all the records that I have been able to obtain has convinced me of the correctness of it and the safety with which it can be relied upon for the purpose it is intended, and I am exceedingly happy to bear this testimony to relatives who may come in possession of this book, and / earnestly request that the same be kept from generation to generation. In closing my remarks I deem it not out of place to express my sincere thanks to relatives and friends who so zealously assisted me in procuring the information herein contained. G. W. W. Seattle, Washington, July, 1910. [vi] : PRELUDE Almost my entire life has been devoted to the study, or in other words in compiling a synopsis, of the Wisdom family, which enables me to state unhesitatingly, that many good traits of character are prevalent among them. I never knew or heard of any one of the name having been hanged or sent to prison, nor arraigned before a Chief Magistrate for any crimes of whatsoever kind. They are men who have always had a higher ideal in life, viz., ministers of the Gospel (usually Baptists), w^ell- to-do farmers, doctors, lawyers and of various other pro- fessions. Some are presidents of banks, proprietors and managers of some of the largest enterprises in the United States and Great Britain. Millionaires may also be named among them. In olden times the Wisdoms were noted for their stalwart strength, steady habits, and patriotic ardor. My father had lost none of the original sturdy instincts of the stock, nor of the stalwart strength incident to his ancestral breeding. His word was as good as the old wheat in the mill. I have often heard my father say that he had never heard of an infidel among the Wisdoms. They were religiously inclined, if not a mem- ber of some church. It is not my intention to make this a sporting edition, but a few little incidents that have occurred in the Wis- dom family in the years gone by, and that I can vouch for the truthfulness of, I deem it not out of place to mention (144) John Wisdom, my great-grandfather, was a Bap- tist evangelist minister, who traveled about a great deal preaching the Gospel. In a little village in Kentucky, I [vii] — cannot remember the name of the place, Rev. Wisdom was called to preach. There was a certain blacksmith who lived in the place who was opposed to any preaching there and had been in the habit of stopping every minister who would come to preach, and, in fact, run them out. He was a big burly fellow and they were all afraid of him. Rev. Wisdom, having been warned of the fact, said, ''Never mind, I will be there and preach regardless of the blacksmith." As there was no regular church in that vicinity, they always used a little old log schoolhouse for their meetings. At the appointed time a large concourse of people began to gather from the surrounding country —the blacksmith was there too—so was Rev. Wisdom. It seems that an unusual crowd had gathered as the meet- ing had created quite a sensation. Of course these people were acquainted with the circumstances of all previous meetings, and, no doubt, expected something exciting to happen. Presently, Rev. Wisdom arose and began his discourse, which was repeatedly interrupted by the blacksmith, who kept up a fusillade of insults and finally ob- scene language. This was more than the reverend could stand. He walked off the platform, pulled off his coat and walking directly up to the blacksmith, took him by the collar and proceeded to carry him to the door, where he threw him out bodily. When the blacksmith struck the ground he found the minister on top of him, and he re- ceived a thorough thrashing. After the reverend had finished chastizing him he made him go back into the church and listen to the rest of the sermon. (234) Francis Wisdom, one of my father's uncles, was a powerful man in physique and was considered about the best man in the state of Kentucky, in his days. He was, however, a good citizen, peaceable and law abiding never quarrelsome or anything of that kind. At this time [viii] there lived a man by the name of Smith, who claimed to be "bully" of Kentucky. Well, of course, Francis—Frank, they called him—did not consider Smith a better man than himself and did not hesitate to express himself in that light. The two men kept sparring at each other, until finally to settle the dispute they agreed to meet and fight it out, the time and place being decided upon. My father at this time was about fifteen years old, and, boylike, when he heard of the affair which was to take place was anxious to witness it. He knew, however, that he would have to be sly about it or he would not be allowed to go. The fight took place not far from where they lived, so he planned that he and his oldest sister, Lucy, should go. When the time came they stole away from home and off they went. Men gathered from far and near, as an occasion of this kind would bring people any distance to witness it. The ring having been made and the seconds selected, the fighters entered the arena dressed for the event. In those days Queensbury rules were unknown. They fought with bare knuckles. Soon they were engaged in their bitter warfare. The battle \vas of short duration, it being evident from the first that Smith was no match for his opponent. He was knocked out, several ribs having been broken, and he was badly bruised otherwise.

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