Wilson Lumpkin

Mary and Wilson Lumpkin at their home in Jennings, LA


(REV.) WILSON LUMPKIN (1838-1919), oldest son of Anderson Lumpkin and Susannah Williams, was born Sept. 22, 1838 at Nettle Creek Township, Randolph County, Indiana. In 1853, when he was fifteen years of age, he moved with his family to Iowa by covered wagon pulled by oxen. His mother died during the trip, and being the oldest son he worked hard to help his father run the farm and take care of the family. In the late 1850's he left Iowa and went to the California gold fields for a few years. When the Civil War broke out, he returned to Iowa and enlisted in the Union army in 1861, at the age of 23. (Ironically, many of the Lumpkins, cousins to each other, were fighting on opposite sides in the Civil War, and Wilson Lumpkin's namesake, the former governor of Georgia, was still living at the time. The Iowa volunteers were with the Union army on the march through Georgia and the burning of Atlanta, so dramatically depicted in the movie GONE WITH THE WIND).

After serving all four years in the war, Wilson Lumpkin again returned home to Iowa, where he became established in business. He married on September 16, 1866 (at nearly 28 years of age) to Mary Melinda Long, in Deer Creek Township, Webster County, Iowa. She was born December 12, 1845, in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, the daughter of Lemuel and Jane (Schumacher or Shoemaker) Long.

Wilson's sister Emily (Emma) Lumpkin married Charles Long (a brother of Mary Melinda Long) on 3 July 1866 in Webster County, Iowa. "Charles was (like Wilson Lumpkin) one of but few who saw service for nearly the entire duration of the Civil War. At the age of 18 he enlisted (Feb. 13, 1862) in Co. B, 15th Iowa Infantry Volunteers (same company as Wilson Lumpkin), as a private. They took part in the Battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, Iuka, Atlanta, Ezra Church, March to the Sea, and Bentonville, N.C. They were discharged July 24, 1865. There were but few who came through all these battles alive, and none without impaired health. Charles was never in good health afterward but he continued to farm and ranch for the rest of his working life."

Wilson Lumpkin operated a lumber yard at Fort Dodge, Iowa for many years and "did a little preaching on the side." He was the father of eight children, all born in Fort Dodge: 

     FREDERICK "FRED" E. LUMPKIN, Sept 5, 1867. unmarried
     EDWARD "ED" A. LUMPKIN, July 2, 1869. Married Edna ---
        (no children)
   **WEBB L. LUMPKIN, Aug. 11, 1871
     CORA MAY LUMPKIN, Sept 14, 1872. Married Claude Starr WHITTLESEY
        (3 children)
     LULU (LULA) LUMPKIN, March 31, 1875. Married Kimmel Kay THOMAS
        (3 children)
     FRANK LUMPKIN, Nov. 20, 1876. Married unknown.
     HENRY "HARRY" LUMPKIN, Oct. 28, 1878.
        Married (1) Maude Marie ROBINSON (1 child).
        Married (2) Louise OTTER.
     KATHERINE "KITTIE" LUMPKIN, Nov. 20, 1882 (lived only 17 days)

In the 1890's Wilson Lumpkin homesteaded on the Cherokee Strip in Oklahoma. He was also a lumber agent for the Iowa Lumber Co. in Guthrie, OK, and president of the YMCA. During this period he was ordained to the Christian ministry. (It is said that he felt "called" to preach, and at first was a circuit preacher who rode on horseback to visit and carry God's word to the isolated homesteaders in Oklahoma). Soon after this he moved with his wife to Jennings, Louisiana, where he had been offered a position as Pastor of the Congregational Church there. He died August 9, 1919, at Jennings, Louisiana, aged 80 years 10 months and 13 days.

Obituary

REV. WILSON LUMPKIN
Rev. Wilson Lumpkin, a resident of Jennings for the last nineteen years, passed away at his daughter's, Mrs. K.K. Thomas, Saturday evening at seven o'clock August 9, 1919.

Mr. Lumpkin was born in Randolph County, state of Indiana, September 22, 1838, and united in marriage to Miss Mary Long September 16, 1866 in Fort Dodge, Iowa. To this union was born eight children, five boys and three girls. His wife, one son and daughter preceded him to the grave. Those who are left to mourn their loss are E.A. Lumpkin, Oakland, Cal.; Webb Lumpkin, Myton, Utah; Harry Lumpkin, New York; Frank Lumpkin, Dallas, Texas; Mrs. C.S. Whittlesey, Durango, Colorado; Mrs. Lula Thomas (of Louisiana), together with grand and great-grand children. He lived a Christian all his life, having joined the church at the age of 10, carrying his testament all through the Civil War, was always faithful in his home service and church, was dearly loved by nearly everybody that knew him.

He had a disposition that was genial as the summer air, always looking on the bright side of life, never complaining even when the way was rough and dark. He was not born in the lap of luxury but was a millionaire in an upright and honorable life that will reflect back through years to come. Having served his country the full four years of the civil war, being one of the first volunteers from Iowa, Father Lumpkin, as many called him, lived through the most remarkable period of this world's history.

Affectionately he was laid to rest in the quiet tomb in the Greenwood cemetery beside his wife and son. Funeral services were held at the Jennings Congregational Church conducted by Rev. Paul Leeds of Kinder and Rev. Faulk of Jennings. The Jennings G.A.R. holding their services at the grave.

Wilson Lumpkin's military record (source: Ancestry.com): 

    Wilson Lumpkins enlisted 5 Oct. 1861.
       Age at enlistment: 23.
       Rank at enlistment: Corporal.
       Promoted to Full Sergeant on 6 July 1862.
       Promoted to Full 1st Sergeant on 21 March 1863.
       Served from the state of Iowa.
       Residence in Fort Dodge.
       Enlisted in B Company, 15th Infantry Regiment of Iowa.
       This unit was organized 22 Feb 1862.
       Battles fought:
          Shiloh, Tennessee on 6 Apr 1862
          Corinth, Mississippi on 3 Oct 1862, 4 Oct 1862, 6 Oct 1862,
	    and 8 Oct 1862
	  Corinth, Mississippi on 6 Oct 1863
	  Holly Springs, Mississippi on 20 Dec 1863
	  Corinth, Mississippi on 14 Feb 1864
	  Canton, Mississippi on 29 Feb 1864
	  Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia on 6 June 1864
	  ? , Georgia on 15 June 1864
	  Atlanta, Georgia on 17 June 1864
	  Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia on 17 June 1864, 19 June 1864,
	    20 June 1864, and 24 June 1864
	  Marietta, Georgia on 25 June 1864
	  Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia on 27 June 1864, 1 July 1864,
	    and 3 July 1864
	  Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia on 4 July 1864
	  Atlanta, Georgia on 5 July 1864
	  Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia on 5 July 1864
	  Marietta, Georgia on 5 July 1864
	  Nickajack Creek, Georgia on 7 July 1864
	  Atlanta, Georgia on 14 July 1864, 20 July 1864, 21 July
	    1864, 22 July 1864, 23 July 1864, and 28 July 1864
	  Ezra Church, Georgia on 28 July 1864
	  Atlanta, Georgia on 9 Aug 1864, 10 Aug 1864, 11 Aug 1864,
	    13 Aug 1864, 15 Aug 1864, 17 Aug 1864, 19 Aug 1864, 20
	    Aug 1864, 22 Aug 1864, 23 Aug 1864, 25 Aug 1864,
	    26 Aug 1864, and 27 Aug 1864
	  ? , Georgia on 3 Sep 1864
	  ? , Georgia on 23 Sep 1864
	  ? , Georgia on 5 Oct 1864
	  Savannah, Georgia on 21 Nov 1864
	  ?  on 14 Jan 1865
	  Columbia, South Carolina on 16 Feb 1865
	  ? , South Carolina on 18 Feb 1865
	  Fayetteville, North Carolina on 12 March 1865
	  Bentonville, North Carollina on 21 March 1865
	  Falling Creek, North Carolina on 21 March 1865.
       Officers killed or mortally wounded: 8
       Officers who died of disease or accident: 1
       Enlisted men killed or mortally wounded: 118
       Enlisted men who died of disease or accident: 260
       Mustered out on 24 July 1865.

Typed transcript of WILSON LUMPKIN's family bible: 

BIRTHS
  WILSON LUMPKIN son of ANDERSON LUMPKIN and SUSANAH LUMPKIN
      was born September 22 A.D. 1838 in Randolph County
      State of Indiana
  Mrs. MARY M. LUMPKIN daughter of LEMUEL LONG and JANE LONG
      was born December 12th A.D. 1845 in Kalamazoo County Michigan
  FRED E. LUMPKIN son of WILSON LUMPKIN and MARY M. LUMPKIN
      was born Thursday September 5th A.D. 1867 in Fort Dodge
      Webster Co. Iowa
  ED A. LUMPKIN son of W. LUMPKIN and MARY LUMPKIN was born on
      Friday July 2 A.D. 1869 in Fort Dodge Webster County Iowa
  WEBB L. LUMPKIN son of W. LUMPKIN and MARY M. LUMPKIN
      was born on Friday the 11th day of August A.D. 1871
      in Fort Dodge Iowa Webster County
  CORA M. LUMPKIN daughter of W. LUMPKIN & MARY M. LUMPKIN
      was born on Saturday the 14th day of September A.D. 1872.
      in Fort Dodge Iowa in Webster Co.
  LULU LUMPKIN daughter of W. LUMPKIN & MARY M. LUMPKIN was born
      on Wednesday the 31st day of March A.D. 1875 in Fort Dodge
      Webster Co. Iowa
  FRANK LUMPKIN son of W. LUMPKIN and MARY M. LUMPKIN was born
      on Tuesday Morning Nov. 20th 1876 in Fort Dodge Iowa
  HARRY LUMPKIN son of W. LUMPKIN and MARY M. LUMPKIN was born
      on Tuesday October 28th 1878 in Fort Dodge Iowa
  KITTIE LUMPKIN daughter of W. LUMPKIN & MARY M. LUMPKIN was born
      on Monday Nov. 20th 1882 in Fort Dodge Iowa

MARRIAGES
  WILSON LUMPKIN and Miss MARY M. LONG were duely joined in
      matrimony on Sunday September the 16th AD 1866 at
      8 o'clock A.M. in Deer Creek Township Webster County Iowa
        W LUMPKIN aged 27 years 11 months and 24 days
        Miss MARY M. LONG aged 20 years 9 months and 4 days
  CORA LUMPKIN was duely joined in matrimony to CLAUD S. WHITTLESEY
      at Guthrie Oklahoma Feb 24th 1892 at 8 O'Clock P.M.
  LULU LUMPKIN was duely joined in matrimoney to K.K. THOMAS at
      Garney, Oklahoma Nov 29th 1893.
  WEBB LUMPKIN was duely joined in marriage to Miss BEULAH ELLEDGE
      at Manassa Colorado July 30th 1903

DEATHS
  KITTIE LUMPKIN daughter of W. LUMPKIN and MARY M. LUMPKIN
      departed this life Dec 7th (on Thursday) 1882
      being Two Weeks and 4 Days old.
      She is at rest and soon we will meet her on the other shore
      where sickness & Death will be no more!
  FRED E. LUMPKIN son of W. LUMPKIN and MARY M. LUMPKIN
      departed this life April 14th 1908.  Was taken sick
      in August 1907 with Bright's Disease of the Kidneys.
      Sufferd long & patiently & died at Jennings, La
      the above date.
  MARY M. LUMPKIN Wife of W. LUMPKIN departed this life
      at One O'Clock A.M. Dec. 26th 1913 at Jennings La
      after a lingering illness of several years
      of the disease of Diabetus.

			      * * *

From a newspaper article, Jennings, Louisiana:

Mrs. Lumpkin Dead
Wife of Pastor Lumpkin Passes Away After Long Illness


At the family residence in Jennings at one o'clock this Friday morning, Mrs. Mary M. Lumpkin, beloved wife of Rev. W. Lumpkin, died (at age 68) after a long illness of several years' duration from diabetes.
Mr. and Mrs. Lumpkin have been residents of Jennings for the past twelve years and both have endeared themselves to a large circle of friends. While she has been confined to her home practically all of her residence in Jennings, Mrs. Lumpkin yet succeeded in making her Christian influence felt far beyond the confines of her home and she departs for her eternal reward leaving behind many who will mourn her sincerely.
Her Christian fortitude and uncomplaining spirit were in themselves daily sermons to all who knew of the battle she constantly waged against the insidious disease from which she suffered.
Services were held in the Congregational Church, of which the deceased was a life-long member, at 2 o'clock this afternoon, with interment in Greenwood cemetery at 3:30, Rev. Alonzo Early officiating.
In Memorium

Once more we are brought to mourn the loss of a dearly loved friend and member of the Women's Relief Corps and the O.W.L. None knew Mrs. Mary Lumpkin but to love her. She was warm hearted, kind and true, always ready to help when assistance was needed. She will be sadly missed from our midst. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the bereaved husband and children in their sore affliction. May God in His infinite mercy comfort their hearts.
In the name of the W.R.C. and the O.W.L.,
Mrs. E.E. Sockaider
Mrs. J.E. Brainard
Obituary
Mary M. Long Lumpkin was born December 12, 1845, in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, and departed this life at Jennings, La., December 26, 1913.
On September 16, 1866, she was united in marriage in the State of Iowa, to Wilson Lumpkin, and to them were born eight children, all of whom survive her except one.
Those who remain to mourn the loss of this devoted wife and mother are the husband, Rev. Wilson Lumpkin; Ed A. Lumpkin of Los Angeles, Cal.; Webb Lumpkin of Myton, Utah; Frank Lumpkin of Dallas, Texas; Harry Lumpkin of New York City; Mrs. Cora Whittlesey of Durango, Colorado; and Mrs. Lula Thomas of Elton (Louisiana).
In 1889 Mrs. Lumpkin, with her husband and children, took up a homestead in Oklahoma. It was during those trying days of great need of moral uplift that Mr. Lumpkin was ordained to the Christian ministry and his faithful wife gladly and willingly took upon her the responsibilities of a minister's wife. She was no novice in Christian service, for she had years before given her life in consecration to God.
In 1901 the family moved to Jennings and here she has lived a life that has drawn the admiration of all for her lovely Christian character.
She has been failing for many months and the family knew she could not fight very long against the disease that was seated in her and, after several weeks of patient suffering, she succumbed to the arch-enemy, death, early Friday morning.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Congregational church, with interment in Greenwood cemetery, Rev. Alonzo Early officiating.
This paper and a host of friends extend to the bereaved family sincerest condolences in their grief for the loss of this devoted Christian wife, mother, and friend.

Information Compiled
by Karen Bray Keeley

INTERNET Adaptation
by Sandra S. Bray