hegnauer.family
hegnauer.family
H0096 The study's number for this person. Cite it and it will always lead here, whatever the spelling.
· A life in the study

Ruth Elizabeth Wilson

Born at Noel in 1915 and died in 2000.

born 7 Apr 1915 at Noel, McDonald died 20 Nov 2000

Also written Ruth E. Willson, Ruth Elizabeth Willson, Ruth Wilson Martin, Ruth E. Martin

Noel and Bernice

Ruth Elizabeth Wilson was born on 7 April 1915 at Noel, in McDonald County, Missouri, the sixth child of James Israel Wilson and Lucy M. Harris; her Social Security record names both her parents.1 Within two years the family had moved a few miles west into Delaware County, Oklahoma, and in January 1920 "Ruth E.", four, was one of nine children on the family's farm in the Bernice precinct.2

Grays Harbor

In the 1920s the family moved to Grays Harbor, on the coast of Washington. In April 1930 Ruth, fourteen, was living with her parents in a rented house at Junction, in Grays Harbor County, with her brothers Floyd, Odis, Woodrow and Roy and her little sister Millie.3

On 26 June 1934, at Montesano, the county seat, Ruth, nineteen, married Courtland Walter Bunker, a man of twenty-two from Montana. On the certificate she was Ruth E. Wilson of Aberdeen, doing house work, and her parents were entered, with their initials muddled, as "James A. Wilson" and "Lucy A. Harris", both born in Arkansas.4 Five years later, on 29 August 1939, "Ruth Bunker" and her brother Tulla were the witnesses at the Aberdeen wedding of her brother Odis.5 The marriage to Courtland did not last. By May 1942 she was Ruth Wilson Martin, the name under which Social Security then recorded her, and she kept the name Martin for the rest of her life.1 Her second husband's given name has not yet been found.

“, both born in Arkansas.4 Five years later, on 29 August 1939,”

Westport

When her brother Woodrow died in 1966, she was Mrs. Ruth Martin, of Westport, the fishing and resort town at the mouth of Grays Harbor.6 Ruth E. Martin died on 20 November 2000, at the age of eighty-five.1 The family tree places her death at Aberdeen.

What we know

Proven

  • Birth at Noel, 1915
  • Marriage to Courtland Walter Bunker at Montesano, 1934
  • Marriage to Martin (her second husband), Aug 1939 and May 1942
  • Death, 2000
  • 4 homes, from the census and other records

What's still open

  • Marriage to Courtland Walter Bunker. 10109) was read on the image on 27 Sep 2026: the bride's column gives Ruth E.
  • Marriage to Martin. Not found. The Washington State Digital Archives' marriage indexes for Grays Harbor and Pacific counties, 1934–1942, are the first place to look; her husband's given name would come from them.
  • Sources. Her census facts come from the index entries attached to her in the Ancestry tree; the 1920 image was read in the survey of her brother Woodrow's records, and the 1930 image has not been viewed.

Sources

Source 1

1 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1915

Source 2

2 1920 U.S. Federal Census, Township 5

Source 3

3 1930 U.S. Federal Census, Junction

Source 4

4 Washington, U.S., Marriage Records, 1912

Source 5

5 Grays Harbor County, Washington, 1939

Source 6

6 The News Tribune, 1966

Life in time

7 Apr 1915

Birth , Noel, McDonald, Missouri, United States

proven Sources 1, 2, 3

How we know

  1. 1915 Birth 7 Apr 1915 · Noel, McDonald · proven

    Her Social Security record, which names her parents as James I Wilson and Lucy M Harris, gives 7 Apr 1915 at Noel, McDonald County, Missouri. Her ages in 1920 (4) and 1930 (14) fit, and the 1920 census gives Missouri. The family was farming near Noel from 1903 until about 1915, when it moved to Delaware County, Oklahoma. No birth record exists; Missouri's birth registration of 1915 has not been searched.

    Sources 1, 2, 3

  2. 1920 Residence Delaware County, Oklahoma · proven

    Township 5 (Bernice precinct), E.D. 22, sheet 10A; a farm family, enumerated 29–30 Jan 1920. Daughter "Ruth E.", 4, born Missouri, in the household of James I. and Lucy M. Willson, with eight brothers and sisters.

    Her parents and brothers and sisters identify her. The 1920 image was read in the survey of her brother Woodrow's records.

    Source 2

  3. 1930 Residence Grays Harbor County, Washington · proven

    "Junction" (E.D. 45), sheet 2A, dwelling 31, family 34. Daughter "Ruth E.", 14, single, in the household of her parents, James I. and Lucy M. Wilson, with Floyd, Odis, Woodrow, Millie and Roy.

    Her parents and five brothers and sisters of the 1920 household identify her. Index entry attached to her in the family tree; image not re-read.

    Source 3

  4. 1934 Residence 26 Jun 1934 · Aberdeen, Grays Harbor · proven

    Her residence, Aberdeen, and her occupation, house work, on her marriage certificate.

    The bride's column of her 1934 marriage certificate, read on the image.

    Source 4

  5. 1934 Marriage, with Courtland Walter Bunker 26 Jun 1934 · Montesano, Grays Harbor · proven

    Grays Harbor County certificate of marriage, licence no. 10109. She was Ruth E. Wilson of Aberdeen, 19, single, first marriage, born Missouri; he was 22, born Montana. She was still Ruth Bunker in Aug 1939; the marriage had ended by May 1942, when she was Ruth Wilson Martin; how it ended is not known.

    The typed certificate (licence no. 10109), read on the image on 27 Sep 2026, gives Ruth E. Wilson of Aberdeen, 19, born Missouri, daughter of "James A." [I.] Wilson and "Lucy A." [M.] Harris, both born in Arkansas; her age (born April 1915), her Missouri birth, her parents' surnames and birthplaces identify her. Ancestry's index, attached to both in the family tree, gives the same date and place. She signed as a witness, "Ruth Bunker", at her brother Odis's wedding in August 1939.

    Sources 1, 4, 5

  6. 1939 Marriage, with Martin (her second husband) between Aug 1939 and May 1942 · proven

    Known from her name, Ruth Wilson Martin, in her Social Security record from May 1942; she was still Ruth Bunker in August 1939. His given name and the date and place of the marriage have not been found. She was still Mrs. Ruth Martin in 1966 and Ruth E. Martin at her death.

    She signed as "Ruth Bunker", a witness at her brother Odis's wedding, on 29 Aug 1939. Her Social Security record, which names her parents, lists her as Ruth Wilson Martin from May 1942 and Ruth E Martin in 2000; her brother Woodrow's obituary (1966) names her as his sister Mrs. Ruth Martin.

    Sources 1, 5, 6

  7. 1966 Residence Nov 1966 · Westport, Grays Harbor · proven

    "Mrs. Ruth Martin, of Westport", a surviving sister, in her brother Woodrow's obituary.

    The obituary of her brother Woodrow, which names his surviving sisters and their towns.

    Source 6

  8. 2000 Death 20 Nov 2000 · proven

    As Ruth E. Martin, aged 85. The record gives no place; the family tree gives Aberdeen, Grays Harbor County, without a citation.

    The Social Security claims index gives her death on 20 Nov 2000, with her birth date and her parents' names. No death certificate, obituary or grave has been found yet, so the place is left open.

    Source 1

  • proven

Hover or drag along the line, or select a point and use the arrow keys.

Places in this life

6 places, in order
1 2 3 4 5 6
  1. 1 Noel, McDonald County Birth 7 Apr 1915
  2. 2 Delaware County, Oklahoma Residence 1920
  3. 3 Grays Harbor County, Washington Residence 1930
  4. 4 Aberdeen, Grays Harbor County Residence 26 Jun 1934
  5. 5 Montesano, Grays Harbor County Marriage 26 Jun 1934
  6. 6 Westport, Grays Harbor County Residence Nov 1966

Hollow markers are placed approximately, at the town, county or region.

Family

Father James Israel Wilson 1882–1941 Mother Lucy M. Harris 1883–1940
This page Ruth Elizabeth Wilson 1915–2000
Husband · m. 26 Jun 1934 Courtland Walter Bunker b. c. 1911
Pan, zoom and follow the family through the whole study.
Family tree Open this person's page

Loading the tree…

Records

Search the archive →
Deaths and burials 1 record · 1966
The evidence 8 facts with their grades, 6 sources, and the research notes

Facts

Fact Date Place Grade Sources
Birth 7 Apr 1915 Noel, McDonald, Missouri, United States proven 1 , 2 , 3
Residence 1920 Delaware County, Oklahoma, United States proven 2
Residence 1930 Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States proven 3
Residence 26 Jun 1934 Aberdeen, Grays Harbor, Washington, United States proven 4
Marriage with Courtland Walter Bunker 26 Jun 1934 Montesano, Grays Harbor, Washington, United States proven 1 , 4 , 5
Marriage with Martin (her second husband) between Aug 1939 and May 1942 proven 1 , 5 , 6
Residence Nov 1966 Westport, Grays Harbor, Washington, United States proven 6
Death 20 Nov 2000 proven 1

Research notes

  • Identity: The records are linked as one woman as follows. (1) "Ruth E.", 4, in 1920 and 14 in 1930, is a daughter of James I. and Lucy M. Wilson (Willson).2, 3 (2) Ruth E. Wilson of Aberdeen, 19, born in Missouri, who married Courtland W. Bunker in 1934, was the daughter of a Wilson and a Harris, both born in Arkansas (certificate read on the image).4 (3) Her Social Security record gives Ruth Wilson Martin, later Ruth E Martin, born 7 Apr 1915 at Noel, daughter of James I Wilson and Lucy M Harris.1 (4) In 1966 Mrs. Ruth Martin of Westport is a sister of Woodrow E. Wilson.6
  • Name: The 1920 census spells the surname Willson, and the family tree uses Willson for her; her father is Wilson in every other record, and she was Ruth Wilson Martin in 1942.2, 1 She signed as "Ruth Bunker" as a witness at her brother Odis's wedding in 1939.5
  • Marriage to Courtland Walter Bunker: The typed certificate (licence no. 10109) was read on the image on 27 Sep 2026: the bride's column gives Ruth E. Wilson of Aberdeen, 19, single, first marriage, born Missouri, house work, and her parents as "James A. Wilson" and "Lucy A. Harris", both born in Arkansas. The middle initials are wrong (her parents were James I. and Lucy M.), an error of the informant or the typist; the surnames, birthplaces and her age fit.4 She was still "Ruth Bunker" in Aug 1939.5 How the marriage ended (divorce, or his death, which the family tree places in 1969) has not been found; it had ended by May 1942.1
  • Marriage to Martin: Not found. The Washington State Digital Archives' marriage indexes for Grays Harbor and Pacific counties, 1934–1942, are the first place to look; her husband's given name would come from them. The family tree does not have him.
  • Death: 20 Nov 2000, from the Social Security claims index; no place is given there.1 The family tree's Aberdeen has no citation. The Washington death index for 2000 and Find a Grave are the next places to look.
  • Sources: Her census facts come from the index entries attached to her in the Ancestry tree; the 1920 image was read in the survey of her brother Woodrow's records, and the 1930 image has not been viewed. The Social Security claims index and the 1934 marriage index were seen as index entries only. No WikiTree profile for her was found by the duplicate check of 26 Sep 2026.

Working notes

  • AKA Willson
  • Still Ruth Bunker on 29 Aug 1939 (witness at Odis's wedding); Martin marriage between Aug 1939 and May 1942

Sources

  1. 1

    "U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936–2007," database, Ancestry.com, Ruth Wilson Martin [later Ruth E. Martin], born 7 April 1915, Noel, McDonald, Missouri; died 20 November 2000; father James I Wilson; mother Lucy M Harris.

    Ancestry

  2. 2

    1920 U.S. Federal Census, Township 5 (Bernice precinct), Delaware County, Oklahoma, E.D. 22, sheet 10A, lines 17–27, enumerated 29–30 January 1920, "Elza W Willson" (son, 2, born Missouri) in the household of James I. Willson (head, 37, born Arkansas; farm), with Lucy M. (wife, 35, born Missouri) and their children Cyril (15), Tulla D. (13), Hellen A. (12), Floyd P. (10), Odis A. (6), Ruth E. (4), Jewel L. (3), Elza W. (2) and Millie M. (under one year), all born Missouri; NARA T625, roll 1458; image 4385099_00298; database with images, Ancestry.com.

    Ancestry

  3. 3

    1930 U.S. Federal Census, Junction, Grays Harbor County, Washington, E.D. 45, sheet 2A, dwelling 31, family 34, "Elzie W Wilson" (son, 13, born Oklahoma, attending school) in the household of James I. Wilson (head, 48), with Lucy M. (wife, 45) and their children Floyd P. (19), Odis A. (16), Ruth E. (14), Elzie W. (13), Millie M. (10) and Roy K. (9); FHL microfilm 2342222; database with images, Ancestry.com (index read).

    Ancestry

  4. 4

    "Washington, U.S., Marriage Records, 1854–2013," database with images, Ancestry.com, Grays Harbor County certificate of marriage, licence no. 10109, Courtland W. Bunker, 22, born about 1912, Montana (parents Duncan E. and Mina A. Bunker), and Ruth E. Wilson, married 26 June 1934, Montesano; the bride's column (typed; image read 27 September 2026): RUTH E. WILSON, residence Aberdeen, Wn., 19, white, single, first marriage, born Missouri, occupation house work; name of father "James A." [I.] Wilson, born Arkansas; maiden name of mother "Lucy A." [M.] Harris, born Arkansas (the groom's line record 5200724, the bride's line record 905200724, as Ruth Elizabeth Willson; her father's line 1355200724 and mother's line 1505200724); citing the Washington State Archives.

    Ancestry

  5. 5

    Grays Harbor County, Washington, Certificate of Marriage no. 13140, O. A. [Odis A.] Wilson and Genevieve Watson, married 29 August 1939, Aberdeen, by Rev. F. E. Christer [?], Pastor, Church of God; witnesses Tulla D. Wilson and Ruth Bunker; "Grays Harbor County Auditor, Marriage Records," image, Washington State Archives, Digital Archives, document swgrhmc13140 (digitalarchives.wa.gov/Record/View/988DA99C69ED7C6B129DACE4820DDC33), read 27 September 2026.

  6. 6

    "Man Found Dead In His Auto," The News Tribune (Tacoma, Washington), 4 November 1966, p. 40 (C-14): Woodrow E. Wilson, 49, of Puyallup, who came to the area from Aberdeen in September, was found dead Thursday afternoon [3 November]; born in Oklahoma, he came to the Northwest as a boy; millworker for the Weyerhaeuser Company's White River mill at Enumclaw; Army veteran of World War II; survived by his wife, two sons and five daughters [names withheld: living], three sisters, Mrs. Clarence Fulbright and Mrs. Joe Pearson, both of Aberdeen, and Mrs. Ruth Martin, of Westport, a brother, Otis, of Aberdeen, and six grandchildren; services to be announced by the Powers Wrigley Clements Funeral Home, Puyallup; image, Newspapers.com (newspapers.com/image/734891548).