Wilder Willes

In the death of Mr. Wilder Willes, which occurred at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. S.S. Clark, yesterday morning, Potsdam loses one of its oldest and most repected citizens. Advancing age and growing imfirmities have kept him closely at home for several years past. He was a man of clear intelect and good judgement, well informed on all general subjects, a good conversationalist, honest, true in all relations of life. He lived to the ripe old age of 84 years. Funeral services will be held at the residence of Mr. Clark Thursday at 2 p.m.

Courier and Freeman Newspaper Potsdam, New York Weds. Sept. 13, 1882

The Fathers are Passing Away

If this statement is made with reference to our revolutionary fathers, it can be used only in the past tense. If in relation to those who first settled the country, it is true that with but a few exceptions all have "passed the flood". In looking around for those who were members of the M.E. church in Potsdam at its first organization, the student of its history is led to think of Fathers Brush,Miles, Johnson, Powel ,Powers, French and others of precious memory. Among those who come later, the names of Fifield , Munson, Burton, and others; the name of Wilder Wills appears, who is the subject of this notice.

Mr. Wills was born in Royalton, Vermont, Jan 2, 1798, and died at his home in Potsdam, Sept 12th, aged 84 years and 10 months. He was 18 years of age when he came to this county where he taught school. In 1834 he married Orrenda Kimball, and in 1838, he and his wife came to live on the farm where he remained until death. He leaves a widow and four children, three of the children live in the west, one of whom was on a visit home witness the departure of her aged father, and be present at the funeral.

The second daughter, Mrs. Clark, has, with her husband and children, watched with tender and filial care over their aged parent, and been responsive to every want during the years of sickness and pain, until called to his reward on high. May He who "tempers the wind to shorn the lamb" and "will not break the bruised reed" support and cheer the widow in her loneliness and sorrow amid the infirmities of age til called to the fellowship of the heavenly state.

The funeral exercises, which were held at the house, conducted by Rev Mr. Darling, were made very interesting while he dwelt upon the relation of a long life spent in the service of God, and future blessedness, and unfolded the promises for the comfort of relatives and friends.

The rank which Wilder Wills took in the intellectual, social, and religious world was far above mediocrity.

Inured habits of close study in early life and spending many years in teaching, he attained to a discipline of mind that gave him the power of discrimination of talents and character and a commanding influence among his fellow men. His mind was well stored with knowledge, gathered from observations and general reading, and being blessed with a retentive memory and fluency of speech, and a disposition to make everybody happy who might make his acquaintance, he drew around him many friends, who were always desirous to enjoy his society.

The writer was acquainted with him nearly forty years. During this time he knew him in various relations in life, especially as a member of the church, occupying official positions and he can say he never was known him only as pleasant in social life, safe in counsel,and always manifesting amid conflicting opinions the spirit of philanthropist and a christian.

The great change that passed over his mind while quite young, and the deeper experience that he had in after life, gave to all his testimonies a ring that was clear and convincing.

"Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord; they henceforth rest from their labors, and their works do follow them"

W. H. Hawkins St Lawrence Herald Saturday, September 23, 1882