I had left the Wilson/Enke family behind in the dust when deciding to learn about Mother's family. All I really had was the wonderful Wilson-Enke Descendents, written by Bonnie Cavenee Runge, in 1977. Wilson is a very common name and I didn't know anyone belonging to the Wilson branches other than the Carrington connection.
Several happenings and passionate people have given me a real interest in learning about this family. I met the determined BonnieRunge this summer in Wessington. She became a marvelous host on Memorial Day along with her daughter, Verna Yarnell. Verna said that the entire Wilson book was done with a typewriter and took a long, long time. I also met many Wilson family members in the Rapid City area, including Nina Cavenee Moller and Norma SkaVang.
At about the same time, Jack Stevens began writing. I'm not sure if he has any Wilson/Enke blood in him, or if he is just a saint, willing to help floundering searchers. Through him I "met" Gloria Van Sickle, whose roots reach John Fletcher Wilson, the brother of my 2nd great grandfather, William White Wilson. The story of Mary (Maude) Wilson is a tragic one that I will relate in a later blog.
DeAnne Rowan, whose family has intersected ours for several times, supplied me with many newsclippings relating to the Wilson family.
I had also heard from several Enke family members, the latest being Gail Bernkopf from Los Angeles, Erich Enke, and Connie McDonald.
I have learned a lot about the history of the Joseph Wilson and Annie White and have some directions to delve farther. In one source William White Wilson (married to Lydia Enke) was said to have a Scotch-Irish ancestry. Another avenue to explore.
The lesson: With the help of generous historians and family genealogists and with patience, it's amazing what can be learned about a family. Sometimes "facts" don't always correlate, but the story of South Dakota Homesteaders can be learned. I need to put all of this in perspective before highlighting specific individuals of the Wilson/Enke family.
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