Laura Williams Merritt Wilder
Laura (nee Williams) Merritt Wilder, 80, married two distinguished US soldiers: Gen. Wesley Merritt, who first rose to fame as one of the Union's "boy generals" during the American Civil War, and Gen. Wilber E. Wilder, a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient for valor during the Indian Wars. Born in 1871 to prominent Chicago attorney Norman Williams and the former Caroline Caton, she was the eldest of their children who survived to adulthood. In 1898 she became the bride of Gen. Wesley Merritt, a childless widower and long-time friend of her father's. Despite the 35-year difference in their ages, the couple's marriage of a dozen years was a happy one, although no children were born of their union. Widowed at age 39 in 1910, Laura remained active in military social circles, and eventually married again in late middle age, becoming the third wife of retired general and Indian Wars hero Wilber Elliott Wilder. Gen. Wilder's first wife, with whom he had several children, was the former Violet Blair Martin, who predeceased him in 1919. His brief second marriage to the widowed Rose Dimond (nee Phinney) Grosvenor, whom he wed on New Year's Day 1921, ended with her death in 1923. Although Laura was Gen. Wilder's junior by some 14 years, the long-lived cavalryman survived her, and died at the age of 95 the year following her death. In addition to her second husband, Mrs. Wilder's survivors included her brother, Norman Williams, and her step-children from her marriage to Gen. Wilder.
Laura (nee Williams) Merritt Wilder, 80, married two distinguished US soldiers: Gen. Wesley Merritt, who first rose to fame as one of the Union's "boy generals" during the American Civil War, and Gen. Wilber E. Wilder, a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient for valor during the Indian Wars. Born in 1871 to prominent Chicago attorney Norman Williams and the former Caroline Caton, she was the eldest of their children who survived to adulthood. In 1898 she became the bride of Gen. Wesley Merritt, a childless widower and long-time friend of her father's. Despite the 35-year difference in their ages, the couple's marriage of a dozen years was a happy one, although no children were born of their union. Widowed at age 39 in 1910, Laura remained active in military social circles, and eventually married again in late middle age, becoming the third wife of retired general and Indian Wars hero Wilber Elliott Wilder. Gen. Wilder's first wife, with whom he had several children, was the former Violet Blair Martin, who predeceased him in 1919. His brief second marriage to the widowed Rose Dimond (nee Phinney) Grosvenor, whom he wed on New Year's Day 1921, ended with her death in 1923. Although Laura was Gen. Wilder's junior by some 14 years, the long-lived cavalryman survived her, and died at the age of 95 the year following her death. In addition to her second husband, Mrs. Wilder's survivors included her brother, Norman Williams, and her step-children from her marriage to Gen. Wilder.
Laura Williams Merritt Wilder
Laura (nee Williams) Merritt Wilder, 80, married two distinguished US soldiers: Gen. Wesley Merritt, who first rose to fame as one of the Union's "boy generals" during the American Civil War, and Gen. Wilber E. Wilder, a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient for valor during the Indian Wars. Born in 1871 to prominent Chicago attorney Norman Williams and the former Caroline Caton, she was the eldest of their children who survived to adulthood. In 1898 she became the bride of Gen. Wesley Merritt, a childless widower and long-time friend of her father's. Despite the 35-year difference in their ages, the couple's marriage of a dozen years was a happy one, although no children were born of their union. Widowed at age 39 in 1910, Laura remained active in military social circles, and eventually married again in late middle age, becoming the third wife of retired general and Indian Wars hero Wilber Elliott Wilder. Gen. Wilder's first wife, with whom he had several children, was the former Violet Blair Martin, who predeceased him in 1919. His brief second marriage to the widowed Rose Dimond (nee Phinney) Grosvenor, whom he wed on New Year's Day 1921, ended with her death in 1923. Although Laura was Gen. Wilder's junior by some 14 years, the long-lived cavalryman survived her, and died at the age of 95 the year following her death. In addition to her second husband, Mrs. Wilder's survivors included her brother, Norman Williams, and her step-children from her marriage to Gen. Wilder.
Laura (nee Williams) Merritt Wilder, 80, married two distinguished US soldiers: Gen. Wesley Merritt, who first rose to fame as one of the Union's "boy generals" during the American Civil War, and Gen. Wilber E. Wilder, a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient for valor during the Indian Wars. Born in 1871 to prominent Chicago attorney Norman Williams and the former Caroline Caton, she was the eldest of their children who survived to adulthood. In 1898 she became the bride of Gen. Wesley Merritt, a childless widower and long-time friend of her father's. Despite the 35-year difference in their ages, the couple's marriage of a dozen years was a happy one, although no children were born of their union. Widowed at age 39 in 1910, Laura remained active in military social circles, and eventually married again in late middle age, becoming the third wife of retired general and Indian Wars hero Wilber Elliott Wilder. Gen. Wilder's first wife, with whom he had several children, was the former Violet Blair Martin, who predeceased him in 1919. His brief second marriage to the widowed Rose Dimond (nee Phinney) Grosvenor, whom he wed on New Year's Day 1921, ended with her death in 1923. Although Laura was Gen. Wilder's junior by some 14 years, the long-lived cavalryman survived her, and died at the age of 95 the year following her death. In addition to her second husband, Mrs. Wilder's survivors included her brother, Norman Williams, and her step-children from her marriage to Gen. Wilder.
Bio by: Nikita Barlow
Gravesite Details
Source of birth-death dates and places: Findagrave member Ross Adam Wood Sr. (#47496100)
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