James "Jimmie" Langdon A. Wilder was born 8/25/1859 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC to William Henry Wilder (DOB 7/29/1831 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 5/10/1903 in Spartanburg County, SC) and Elizabeth "Lizzie" J. Brice (DOB 8/1/1839 in Spartanburg County, SC ; DOD 8/22/1922 in Spartanburg County, SC).
He married Nancy "Nannie" Floyd on 2/19/1879 in Spartanburg County, SC.
Nancy Floyd was born 5/12/1842 to George Hamilton Floyd (DOB 1/1800 in SC; DOD 5/15/1869 in Spartanburg County, SC) and Jane "Janie" Thomas (DOB Abt. 1805 in SC; DOD ; 11/5/1873 in Spartanburg County, SC). Nancy Floyd was the youngest of 9 children, 5 boys and 4 girls.
James L.A. and Nannie Floyd Wilder had 2 sons:
1) John Langdon Wilder (DOB 1/14 1880 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 12/20/1965 in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, NC) married Lora Massengale (DOB 6/19/1888 in SC; DOD 3/15/1970 in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, SC). They are buried at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Spartanburg, SC. Lora and Ella Massengale were sisters and were the daughters of Thomas S. Massengale and Susan Brown.
2) George William Wilder (DOB 10/3/1884 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 6/3/1934 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC) married Ellen Jane "Ela" Massengale (DOB 12/24/1886 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 9/19/1950 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC). They are buried at New Unity Baptist Church, Woodruff, SC. Lora and Ella Massengale were sisters and were the daughters of Thomas S. Massengale and Susan Brown.
1900 U.S. Census of Woodruff Township, Spartanburg County, SC (ED 112, T623 1542, Pg 6B, Lines 51-54, "Jas L.A. Wilder", Dwelling 76, Family 76
Wilder, James L.A. Head, White, Male, Born August, 1861, 38 years old, Married 21 years, Farmer, Rents his farm, Born in SC, Father born in SC, Mother born in SC, Can read and write and speak English
Wilder, Nannie M., Wife, White, Female, Born May, 1842, 58 years old, Married 21 years, Had 2 children, 2 children still living, Born in SC, Father born in SC, Mother born in SC, Can read and write and speak English
Wilder, John L., Son, White, Male, Born June, 1880, 20 years old, Farm Laborer, Born in SC, Father born in SC, Mother born in SC, Can read and write and speak English
Wilder, Geo. W., son, White, Male, Born October, 1875, 25 years old, Farm Laborer, Born in SC, Father born in SC, Mother born in SC, Can read and write and speak English
1910 U.S. Census of Main Street, Woodruff Township, Spartanburg County, SC (ED 107, T624-1473, Pg 23A, Image 697, Lines 44-45, "James L.A. Wilder", Dwelling 404, Family 416
Wilder, James L.A., Head, Male, White, 50 years old, Married 31 years, Born in SC, Father born in SC, Mother born in SC, speaks English, Weaver at a cotton mill, Can read and write, Rents a home (vs a farm)
Wilder, Nannie, Wife, Female, White, 68 years old, Married 31 years, Had 2 children and 2 children are still living, Born in SC, Father born in SC, Mother born in SC, Speaks English, Can read and write
1920 U.S. Census of Beason Street, Woodruff Township, Spartanburg County, SC (ED 126, Series T625, Roll 1711, Pg 124, "James L.A. Wilder", Lines 27, Dwelling 148, Family 153, enumerated with ? Gowans as a boarder
Wilder, James L.A., Boarder, Male, White, 59 years old, Widowed, Can read and write, Born in SC, Father born in SC, Mother born in SC, Oiler at Cotton Mill
James Langdon A. Wilder died 1/26/1930 in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, SC. Nancy Floyd Wilder died 11/27/1911 in Spartanburg County, SC. They are buried at New Unity Baptist Church, 4240 Walnut Grove Road, Roebuck, SC, 29376, on SC Hwy 50 just 5 miles east of Woodruff near Interstate Highway 26.
The Greenville News, Greenville, SC, 1/27/1930, Pg 9
![]()
![]()
FindAGrave.com
Nannie Floyd Wilder
BIRTH 12 May 1842, South Carolina, USA
DEATH 27 Nov 1911 (aged 69), Spartanburg County, South Carolina, USA
BURIAL Unity Baptist Church Cemetery New, Roebuck, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, USA
MEMORIAL ID 8720228
James Langdon A. “Jimmy” Wilder
BIRTH 25 Aug 1859, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, USA
DEATH 26 Jan 1930 (aged 70), Spartanburg County, South Carolina, USA
BURIAL Unity Baptist Church Cemetery New, Roebuck, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, USA
MEMORIAL ID 8720227
George William Wilder was born 10/3/1884 in Spartanburg County, SC. He married Ellen "Ela" Jane Massengale. Ella Massengale was born 12/24/1886 in Spartanburg County, SC to Thomas Sloan Massengale (DOB 4/25/1861 in SC; DOD 7/19/1942 in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, SC) and Susan Brown (DOB 11/30/1864 in Pickens County, SC; DOD 7/2/1959 in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, SC). Ella Massengale (aka Ela Massengale, aka Ellen Jane Massengale) and Lora Massengale were sisters. Thomas Sloan and Susan Brown Massengale had Oscar William Massengale, Ellen Jane Massengale, John Thomas Massengale, Lora Massengale, Bertie Estelle Massengale, Lizzie Massengale, Ada Viola Massengale, Nellie Irene "Ila" Massengale, Carrie Leona Massengale, and Wade Hampton Massengale.
![]()
George William Wilder and Ela Massengale had 9 children:
1) Nancy Lucille Wilder (DOB 5/13/1903 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 2/28/1967 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC) married Clyde Frank Skinner (DOB 2/5/1899 in SC; DOD 10/8/1979 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC). Clyde married Altonia Mae Beam (1913-2012) after Nancy Lucille Wilder died. They had James Clyde Skinner (DOB 1922 in SC; DOD 2/23/1923 in Cherokee County, SC), Charles F. Skinner, Bobby Ray Skinner (DOB 7/18/1930 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 5/15/1994 in Shelby, Cleveland County, NC).
2) Claude O'Neal Wilder (DOB 7/14/1904 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 11/17/1941 in Spartanburg County, SC) married Brona Jones (DOB 11/4/1911 in SC; DOD 3/1/1993 in SC). They had Hugh O'Neil Wilder (DOB 4/12/1936 in ? ; DOD 8/15/2010 in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, SC).
3) Robert Perry Wilder (DOB 1/6/1906 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 9/23/1994 in Clinton, Laurens County, SC) married Shadie Mae Skinner (DOB 1/17/1908 in SC; DOD 2/12/1989 in Clinton, Laurens County, SC). They had Donny Wilder, Virginia Delle Wilder.
4) Annie Mae Wilder (DOB 9/28/1907 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 8/4/1998 in Dothan, Houston County, AL) married Nelson Smith Gwinn, Sr. (DOB 6/2/1907 in SC; DOD 11/24/1979 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC). They had Nelson Smith Gwinn, Jr. (DOB 3/14/1927 in Pauline, Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 8/31/1994 in Pointe Road, Lake Bowen, Spartanburg County, SC) married Juanita Ellis.
5) Jennie Lee Wilder (DOB 6/23/1909 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 8/16/2005 in Spartanburg County, SC) married 1st Henry Alton Meadows (DOB 4/20/1906 in SC; DOD 11/22/1962 in SC) and they had Billy Alton Meadows (DOB 1/14/1934 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 1/25/2000 in Durham, Durham County, NC; married Norma Celeste Casey) and Emily Elizabeth Meadows who married Joe William Harrison, Sr.Jennie Lee married 2nd John Harry Crocker (DOB 9/20/1909 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 10/1986 in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, SC; previously married to Thelma Ferguson).
6) Lewis Wilburn Wilder (DOB 8/2/1913 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 11/21/1961 in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, NC) married Shirley Livingstone Westmoreland (DOB 2/17/1914 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 1/17/2009 in Gaston County, NC). They had Georgia Mette Wilder (married Malcolm McAbee) and Claude Gerald "Jerry" Wilder (DOB 8/20/1936 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 1/21/2014 in Mecklenburg County, NC).
7) Margaret Viola Wilder (DOB 3/21/1915 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 12/31/1994 in SC) married Edgar Brookins Reynolds, Jr. (aka Edgar Brookens Reynolds, Jr.)(DOB 11/15/1913 in TN; DOD 12/18/1986 in Charleston, Charleston County, SC). They had Edgar Brookins Reynolds, III (married Cynthia Clements Clark), Linda Joyce Reynolds (married Anthony LeRose), Larry Eugene Reynolds, Lora Jane Reynolds (married ? Scott and ? Konarski), Lewis Lang Reynolds (married Joan Erin Newby Shelton).
8) Sara Elizabeth Wilder (DOB 1/23/1919 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 4/2/1982 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC) married Walter Eugene Carter (DOB 7/22/1918 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 2/2/1996 in Lyman, Spartanburg County, SC). They had Eugenia Caroline Carter (DOB 9/20/1943 in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 2/10/2012 in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, SC; married Lewis Edward McDowell) and Ela Jane Carter (married Francis William Johnson).
9) Georgie Caroline Wilder (DOB 7/17/1925 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 5/6/1931 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC of scarlet fever).
1920 U.S. Census of 310 Nesbitt Bridge, Woodruff, Spartanburg, South Carolina; Roll: T625_1711; Page: 17B; Enumeration District: 124, Lines 76-85, "George Wilder"
George Wilder, Head, Rented farm, M(ale), W(hite), 35 yrs old (DOB 1885), Married, Can read and write, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC, Farmer
Eula Wilder (sic, Ella Wilder), Wife, F, W, 37 yrs old (DOB 1883), Married, Can read and write, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Lucile Wilder (sic), Daughter, F, W, 17 yrs old (DOB 1903), Single, Attends school, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Claud Wilder, Son, M, W, 15 yrs old (DOB 1905), Single, Does not attend school, Can read and write, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Robert Wilder, Son, M, W, 14 yrs old (DOB 1906), Attends school, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Annie Wilder, Daughter, F, W, 12 yrs old (DOB 1908, Attends school, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Jennielee Wilder (sic), Daughter, F, W, 10 yrs old (DOB 1910), Attends school, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Wilburn Wilder, Son, M, W, 7 yrs old (DOB 1913), Attends school, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Margret Wilder (sic), Daughter, F, W, 5 yrs old (DOB 1915), Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Sarah Wilder, Daughter, F, W, 1 yr old (DOB 1919), Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
1930 U.S. Census of 8 Griffin Street, Woodruff, Spartanburg, South Carolina; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 0077; FHL microfilm: 2341947, Lines 34-39, "Geo. W. Wilder"
Geo. W. Wilder, Head, Rents home, M(ale), W(hite), 45 yrs old (DOB 1885), Married at age 18 yrs old (DOM 1903), Can read and write, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC, Salesman in oil gas (wholesale)
Ela Wilder, Wife, F, W, 47 yrs old (DOB 1883), Married at age 20 yrs old, Can read and write, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Jennie L. Wilder, Daughter, F, W, 20 yrs old (DOB 1910), Single, Attends school, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Margaret Wilder, Daughter, F, W, 15 yrs old (DOB 1915), Single, Attends school, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Sarah Wilder, Daughter, F, W, 11 yrs old (DOB 1919), Single, Attends school, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Caroline Wilder, Daughter, F, W, 4 yrs 8/12 mos old (DOB 1926), Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
SC Death Certificate #9892, Registration District #40-B, Registered #21, George W. Wilder, DOD 6/2/1934 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC
Male, White, Married to Ela Massengill (sic), DOB 10/3/1884 in SC, 49 yrs, 7 mos, 0 days old
Occupation: City policeman
Father: James Wilder, born in SC
Mother: Nancy Floyd, born in SC
Informant: Robert Wilder, Woodruff, SC
DOD 6/2/1934 at 11:00am
Cause of death: "pistol wound of head, suicide"
Buried: 6/3/1934 in Unity
Undertaker: Lanford-Boyter, Woodruff, SC
The Greenville News, Greenville, SC, 6/3/1934, Pg 2
![]()
Policeman Dies Of Pistol Shot Self Inflicted
George M. Wilder (sic), Night Policeman At Woodruff Succumbs To Wounds
Ill Health Blamed
Woodruff, June 2 - George W. Wilder, 49, night policeman, died at his home at 1:30a.m. today from self-inflicted pistol wounds which he suffered at 8:45 o'clock this morning soon after returning from his night duty.
Despondency over ill health was the cause given by the family for his act. No inquest was deemed necessary. Mr. Wilder returned from his duty on the streets around 2 o'clock and after taking a nap got up and went across the hall to his daughter's room where he fired the shot that ended his life, the bullet going through his temples. Mr. Wilder had been on night duty here for the past two years and was chief of police for one term six years ago. He was formerly connected with the Standard Oil company and foreman of the Bryson's farms. He was a member of the First Baptist church and Bethel Lodge A.F.M. No. 12.
He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Wilder.
Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon from the First Baptist church at 4 o'clock, conducted by the pastor, the Rev. J.H. Simpson, assisted by the Rev. R.W. Carson, the Rev. P.S. McChesney, the Rev. J.G. Huggins, the Rev. W.B. Jenkins and the Rev. H.J. Snyder of Ware Shoals. Interment will be in Unity Baptist church cemetery.
He is survived by his widow, who before marriage was Miss Ela Massingale; three sons, Claude Wilder, of Somerset, Ky.; Robert Wilder, Chattanooga, Tenn, and Wilburn Wilder, Spartanburg; five daughters, Mrs. Nelson Gwinn, Mrs. Alton Meadows and Miss Sara Wilder, of Woodruff; Mrs. Clyde Skinner, Gaffney; Miss Margaret Wilder, Charleston; five grandchildren and one brother, Lang Wilder, Spartanburg.
Active pallbearers will be wardens of the town, R.B. Hunt, G.W. Harmon, W.H. Jones, Charles Green, Joe Pearson and Fred Culbertson.
Honorary pallbearers will be: Mayor S.C. Westmoreland, W.P. Jones, J.B. Drummond, A.S. Lanford, Wade Drummond, M.E. McAbee, Clarence Hill, Russell Montgomery, C.S. Anderson, Andy Cooper, R.L. Bethell, Laurence Bearden, Lewis Barnett, H.W. Burkhead, J.N. Swofford, P.E. Bryson, M.B. Edwards, Dr. B.J. Workman, Dr. H.H. Workman, Dr. A.S. Pearson, Dr. W.A. Woodruff, Dr. D.D. Alexander, Dr. W.B. Toole, Dr. O.H. McCord, Dr. J.N. Stinson, O.T. Newman, C.H. Pearson, Bryon McAbee, M.D. Putnam, S.J. Workman, J.T. Floyd, H.K. Gentry, H.B. Kilgore, Sam Skinner, H.A. Meadows, M.A. Lanford, M.B. Gwinn, Sam Hill, Claude Hill, N.N. Turner, Rufus Pearson, Dorroh Lanford, Willie Skinner, O.O. Rogers, J.R. Owens, W.H. Shanklin, N.P. Gentry, M.E. Gentry, B.B. Fowler, C.P. Workman, Barto Phillips, Paul Phillips, B.K. Arnold, O.L. Leroy, J.A. Skinner, Dr. O.E. Westmoreland, W.A. Patillo, Wister Dean, Jesse Lanford, W.S. Roebuck, George Garrett, B. Garrett, John Garrett, Glenn McIntyre, and Wayne McIntyre.
The Gaffney Ledger, Gaffney, 6/5/1934, Pg 1
![]()
George Wilder Kills Himself At Woodruff
Father of Mrs. Clyde Skinner of Gaffney, Takes Own Life
Woodruff, June 2 - George W. Wilder, age 49, Woodruff policeman died this morning at 11:45 o'clock from self-inflicted gun wounds. No inquest was necessary, it was ruled.
Wilder, former chief of police here and night policeman at the time of his death, had served about five years on the local force. He had been in ill health for several months.
He was a member of the First Baptist church, and the Masonic and Eastern Star fraternal orders.
Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock at
the First Baptist church conducted by the Rev. J.H. Simpson and assisted by the Rev. P.S. McChesney, J.G. Huggins, R.W. Carson, W.B. Jenkins and H.J. Snyder.
He will be buried in the Unity cemetery, five miles from Woodruff.
He is survived by his wife Mrs. Ela Massingale Wilder; three sons, Claude, of Somerset, Ky.; Robert, of Chattanooga, Tenn, and Wilburn, of Spartanburg; five daughters, Mrs. Clyde Skinner of Gaffney, Miss Margaret Wilder of Charleston, Mrs. N.S. Gwinn, Mrs. Alton Meadows and Miss Sarah Wilder of Woodruff; five grandchildren and a brother, Lang Wilder of Spartanburg, also survive.
Active pallbearers will be the councilmen of Woodruff; Joe Pearson, Charlie Green, George Harmon, W.H. Jones, Fred Culbertson and Ralph Hunt.
1940 U.S. Census of 7 Chamblin, Woodruff, Spartanburg, South Carolina; Roll: m-t0627-03840; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 42-89, Lines 37-40, next page Lines 1-2, "Clyde F. Skinner"
Clyde F. Skinner, Head, Rents home for $17, M(ale), W(hite), 40 yrs old (DOB 1900, Married, Attended school thru 7th grade, Born in SC, Lived in Gaffney, Cherokee County, SC in 1935, Salesman grocery wholesale, Income $936
Lucile Skinner, Wife, F, W, 36 yrs old (DOB 1904), Married, Attended school thru high school 2 yrs, Born in SC, Lived in Gaffney, Cherokee County, SC in 1935, clerk for drycleaners
Charles Skinner, Son, M, W, 11 yrs old (DOB 1929), Single, Attends school, Attended school thru 5th grade, Born in SC, Lived in Gaffney, Cherokee County, SC in 1935,
Bobby Skinner, Son, M, W, 10 yrs old (DOB 1930), Single, Attends school, Attended school thru 4th grade, Born in SC, Lived in Gaffney, Cherokee County, SC in 1935,
Ena Wilder (sic, Ela Wilder), Mother-in-law, F, W, 57 yrs old (DOB 1883), Widowed, Attended school thru 3rd grade, Born in SC, Lived in same place in 1935
Sara Wilder, sister-in-law, F, W, 21 yrs old (DOB 1919), Single, Attended school thru high school 2 years, Born in SC, Lived in same place in 1935, Operator for telephone
Ela Jane Massengale Wilder died 9/19/1950 in Chamblin Street, Woodruff, Spartanburg, SC.
SC Death Certificate #50-013773, Registration District #40-B, Registrar's #892, Ela Massengale Wilder, DOD 9/19/1950 in Chamblin Street, Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC
Usual residence: same
Female, White, Widowed, Spouse: George W. Wilder, DOB 12/24/1883 in Pickens County, SC, 67 yrs old
Father: T.S. Massengale, Mother: Susan Brown, Informant: Robert P. Wilder
DOD 9/19/1950
Cause of death: Pulmonary edema due to cardiac failure
Buried: 9/20/1950 in Unity Cemetery, Woodruff, SC
FindAGrave.com
George William Wilder
BIRTH 3 Oct 1884, Woodruff, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, USA
DEATH 2 Jun 1934 (aged 49), Spartanburg County, South Carolina, USA
BURIAL Unity Baptist Church Cemetery New, Roebuck, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, USA
MEMORIAL ID 8720225
Ellen Jane “Ela” Massengale Wilder
BIRTH 24 Dec 1880, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, USA
DEATH 19 Sep 1950 (aged 69), Woodruff, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, USA
BURIAL Unity Baptist Church Cemetery New, Roebuck, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, USA
MEMORIAL ID 54942319
Spartanburg Herald (Spartanburg, SC) Wednesday, September 20, 1950; Mrs. Ela Wilder, Wooduff - Mrs. Ela M. Wilder. 57, wife of the late George W. Wilder, died suddenly at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Nelson Gwinn Sr., on Chamblin Street. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 4 p. m. at the First Baptist Church here. The Revs. C. L. Boyter, W. J. Bradley and Lawrence Pruitt will officiate and burial will be in Unity Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Belton and Edgar Wilder: Douglas and George Massengale, Albert Taylor and James Roddy. Mrs. Wilder is survived by 2 sons: Robert P. of Clinton and Wilburn of Spartanburg: 5 daughters, Mrs. Clyde Skinner, Mrs. Gwinn and Mrs. Alton Meadows of Woodruff, Mrs. Jessie Lee Reynolds of Manila, P. I. and Mrs. Sara Carter of Spartanburg: her mother, Mrs. T. M. Massengale of Greer: 3 brothers, John, Wade and Oscar Massengale of Greer: 5 sisters, Mrs. J. L. Wilder of Spartanburg, Mrs. M. W. Perry and Mrs. F. M. Roddy of Greer, Mrs. DeWitt Turner of Greenwood and Mrs. Clifton Hall of Leesville: and 14 grandchildren. The Lamar - Lanford Funeral Home is in charge of Funeral arrangements.
The Index Journal, Greenwood, SC, 9/21/1950, Pg 10
![]()
If you have any comments, corrections or additional information, please email me at Mom25dogs@gmail.com.
He married Nancy "Nannie" Floyd on 2/19/1879 in Spartanburg County, SC.
Nancy Floyd was born 5/12/1842 to George Hamilton Floyd (DOB 1/1800 in SC; DOD 5/15/1869 in Spartanburg County, SC) and Jane "Janie" Thomas (DOB Abt. 1805 in SC; DOD ; 11/5/1873 in Spartanburg County, SC). Nancy Floyd was the youngest of 9 children, 5 boys and 4 girls.
James L.A. and Nannie Floyd Wilder had 2 sons:
1) John Langdon Wilder (DOB 1/14 1880 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 12/20/1965 in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, NC) married Lora Massengale (DOB 6/19/1888 in SC; DOD 3/15/1970 in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, SC). They are buried at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Spartanburg, SC. Lora and Ella Massengale were sisters and were the daughters of Thomas S. Massengale and Susan Brown.
2) George William Wilder (DOB 10/3/1884 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 6/3/1934 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC) married Ellen Jane "Ela" Massengale (DOB 12/24/1886 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 9/19/1950 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC). They are buried at New Unity Baptist Church, Woodruff, SC. Lora and Ella Massengale were sisters and were the daughters of Thomas S. Massengale and Susan Brown.
1900 U.S. Census of Woodruff Township, Spartanburg County, SC (ED 112, T623 1542, Pg 6B, Lines 51-54, "Jas L.A. Wilder", Dwelling 76, Family 76
Wilder, James L.A. Head, White, Male, Born August, 1861, 38 years old, Married 21 years, Farmer, Rents his farm, Born in SC, Father born in SC, Mother born in SC, Can read and write and speak English
Wilder, Nannie M., Wife, White, Female, Born May, 1842, 58 years old, Married 21 years, Had 2 children, 2 children still living, Born in SC, Father born in SC, Mother born in SC, Can read and write and speak English
Wilder, John L., Son, White, Male, Born June, 1880, 20 years old, Farm Laborer, Born in SC, Father born in SC, Mother born in SC, Can read and write and speak English
Wilder, Geo. W., son, White, Male, Born October, 1875, 25 years old, Farm Laborer, Born in SC, Father born in SC, Mother born in SC, Can read and write and speak English
1910 U.S. Census of Main Street, Woodruff Township, Spartanburg County, SC (ED 107, T624-1473, Pg 23A, Image 697, Lines 44-45, "James L.A. Wilder", Dwelling 404, Family 416
Wilder, James L.A., Head, Male, White, 50 years old, Married 31 years, Born in SC, Father born in SC, Mother born in SC, speaks English, Weaver at a cotton mill, Can read and write, Rents a home (vs a farm)
Wilder, Nannie, Wife, Female, White, 68 years old, Married 31 years, Had 2 children and 2 children are still living, Born in SC, Father born in SC, Mother born in SC, Speaks English, Can read and write
1920 U.S. Census of Beason Street, Woodruff Township, Spartanburg County, SC (ED 126, Series T625, Roll 1711, Pg 124, "James L.A. Wilder", Lines 27, Dwelling 148, Family 153, enumerated with ? Gowans as a boarder
Wilder, James L.A., Boarder, Male, White, 59 years old, Widowed, Can read and write, Born in SC, Father born in SC, Mother born in SC, Oiler at Cotton Mill
James Langdon A. Wilder died 1/26/1930 in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, SC. Nancy Floyd Wilder died 11/27/1911 in Spartanburg County, SC. They are buried at New Unity Baptist Church, 4240 Walnut Grove Road, Roebuck, SC, 29376, on SC Hwy 50 just 5 miles east of Woodruff near Interstate Highway 26.
The Greenville News, Greenville, SC, 1/27/1930, Pg 9
FindAGrave.com
Nannie Floyd Wilder
BIRTH 12 May 1842, South Carolina, USA
DEATH 27 Nov 1911 (aged 69), Spartanburg County, South Carolina, USA
BURIAL Unity Baptist Church Cemetery New, Roebuck, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, USA
MEMORIAL ID 8720228
James Langdon A. “Jimmy” Wilder
BIRTH 25 Aug 1859, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, USA
DEATH 26 Jan 1930 (aged 70), Spartanburg County, South Carolina, USA
BURIAL Unity Baptist Church Cemetery New, Roebuck, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, USA
MEMORIAL ID 8720227
George William Wilder was born 10/3/1884 in Spartanburg County, SC. He married Ellen "Ela" Jane Massengale. Ella Massengale was born 12/24/1886 in Spartanburg County, SC to Thomas Sloan Massengale (DOB 4/25/1861 in SC; DOD 7/19/1942 in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, SC) and Susan Brown (DOB 11/30/1864 in Pickens County, SC; DOD 7/2/1959 in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, SC). Ella Massengale (aka Ela Massengale, aka Ellen Jane Massengale) and Lora Massengale were sisters. Thomas Sloan and Susan Brown Massengale had Oscar William Massengale, Ellen Jane Massengale, John Thomas Massengale, Lora Massengale, Bertie Estelle Massengale, Lizzie Massengale, Ada Viola Massengale, Nellie Irene "Ila" Massengale, Carrie Leona Massengale, and Wade Hampton Massengale.
LewisEJr_McDowell originally shared this on 4/21/2016 on Ancestry.com
George William Wilder and Ela Massengale had 9 children:
1) Nancy Lucille Wilder (DOB 5/13/1903 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 2/28/1967 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC) married Clyde Frank Skinner (DOB 2/5/1899 in SC; DOD 10/8/1979 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC). Clyde married Altonia Mae Beam (1913-2012) after Nancy Lucille Wilder died. They had James Clyde Skinner (DOB 1922 in SC; DOD 2/23/1923 in Cherokee County, SC), Charles F. Skinner, Bobby Ray Skinner (DOB 7/18/1930 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 5/15/1994 in Shelby, Cleveland County, NC).
2) Claude O'Neal Wilder (DOB 7/14/1904 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 11/17/1941 in Spartanburg County, SC) married Brona Jones (DOB 11/4/1911 in SC; DOD 3/1/1993 in SC). They had Hugh O'Neil Wilder (DOB 4/12/1936 in ? ; DOD 8/15/2010 in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, SC).
3) Robert Perry Wilder (DOB 1/6/1906 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 9/23/1994 in Clinton, Laurens County, SC) married Shadie Mae Skinner (DOB 1/17/1908 in SC; DOD 2/12/1989 in Clinton, Laurens County, SC). They had Donny Wilder, Virginia Delle Wilder.
4) Annie Mae Wilder (DOB 9/28/1907 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 8/4/1998 in Dothan, Houston County, AL) married Nelson Smith Gwinn, Sr. (DOB 6/2/1907 in SC; DOD 11/24/1979 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC). They had Nelson Smith Gwinn, Jr. (DOB 3/14/1927 in Pauline, Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 8/31/1994 in Pointe Road, Lake Bowen, Spartanburg County, SC) married Juanita Ellis.
5) Jennie Lee Wilder (DOB 6/23/1909 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 8/16/2005 in Spartanburg County, SC) married 1st Henry Alton Meadows (DOB 4/20/1906 in SC; DOD 11/22/1962 in SC) and they had Billy Alton Meadows (DOB 1/14/1934 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 1/25/2000 in Durham, Durham County, NC; married Norma Celeste Casey) and Emily Elizabeth Meadows who married Joe William Harrison, Sr.Jennie Lee married 2nd John Harry Crocker (DOB 9/20/1909 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 10/1986 in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, SC; previously married to Thelma Ferguson).
6) Lewis Wilburn Wilder (DOB 8/2/1913 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 11/21/1961 in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, NC) married Shirley Livingstone Westmoreland (DOB 2/17/1914 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 1/17/2009 in Gaston County, NC). They had Georgia Mette Wilder (married Malcolm McAbee) and Claude Gerald "Jerry" Wilder (DOB 8/20/1936 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 1/21/2014 in Mecklenburg County, NC).
7) Margaret Viola Wilder (DOB 3/21/1915 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 12/31/1994 in SC) married Edgar Brookins Reynolds, Jr. (aka Edgar Brookens Reynolds, Jr.)(DOB 11/15/1913 in TN; DOD 12/18/1986 in Charleston, Charleston County, SC). They had Edgar Brookins Reynolds, III (married Cynthia Clements Clark), Linda Joyce Reynolds (married Anthony LeRose), Larry Eugene Reynolds, Lora Jane Reynolds (married ? Scott and ? Konarski), Lewis Lang Reynolds (married Joan Erin Newby Shelton).
8) Sara Elizabeth Wilder (DOB 1/23/1919 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 4/2/1982 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC) married Walter Eugene Carter (DOB 7/22/1918 in Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 2/2/1996 in Lyman, Spartanburg County, SC). They had Eugenia Caroline Carter (DOB 9/20/1943 in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 2/10/2012 in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, SC; married Lewis Edward McDowell) and Ela Jane Carter (married Francis William Johnson).
9) Georgie Caroline Wilder (DOB 7/17/1925 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC; DOD 5/6/1931 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC of scarlet fever).
1920 U.S. Census of 310 Nesbitt Bridge, Woodruff, Spartanburg, South Carolina; Roll: T625_1711; Page: 17B; Enumeration District: 124, Lines 76-85, "George Wilder"
George Wilder, Head, Rented farm, M(ale), W(hite), 35 yrs old (DOB 1885), Married, Can read and write, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC, Farmer
Eula Wilder (sic, Ella Wilder), Wife, F, W, 37 yrs old (DOB 1883), Married, Can read and write, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Lucile Wilder (sic), Daughter, F, W, 17 yrs old (DOB 1903), Single, Attends school, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Claud Wilder, Son, M, W, 15 yrs old (DOB 1905), Single, Does not attend school, Can read and write, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Robert Wilder, Son, M, W, 14 yrs old (DOB 1906), Attends school, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Annie Wilder, Daughter, F, W, 12 yrs old (DOB 1908, Attends school, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Jennielee Wilder (sic), Daughter, F, W, 10 yrs old (DOB 1910), Attends school, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Wilburn Wilder, Son, M, W, 7 yrs old (DOB 1913), Attends school, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Margret Wilder (sic), Daughter, F, W, 5 yrs old (DOB 1915), Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Sarah Wilder, Daughter, F, W, 1 yr old (DOB 1919), Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
1930 U.S. Census of 8 Griffin Street, Woodruff, Spartanburg, South Carolina; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 0077; FHL microfilm: 2341947, Lines 34-39, "Geo. W. Wilder"
Geo. W. Wilder, Head, Rents home, M(ale), W(hite), 45 yrs old (DOB 1885), Married at age 18 yrs old (DOM 1903), Can read and write, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC, Salesman in oil gas (wholesale)
Ela Wilder, Wife, F, W, 47 yrs old (DOB 1883), Married at age 20 yrs old, Can read and write, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Jennie L. Wilder, Daughter, F, W, 20 yrs old (DOB 1910), Single, Attends school, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Margaret Wilder, Daughter, F, W, 15 yrs old (DOB 1915), Single, Attends school, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Sarah Wilder, Daughter, F, W, 11 yrs old (DOB 1919), Single, Attends school, Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
Caroline Wilder, Daughter, F, W, 4 yrs 8/12 mos old (DOB 1926), Born in SC, Both parents born in SC
The Gaffney Ledger, Gaffney, SC, 6/25/1927, Pg 2
The Greenville News, Greenville, SC, 7/27/1927, Pg 3
The Greenville News, 10/17/1928, Pg 5
The Greenville News, 11/27/1932, Pg 7
The Greenville News, Greenville, SC, 3/9/1933, Pg 2
The Greenville News, Greenville, SC, 4/13/1934, Pg 11
George William Wilder committed suicide on 6/2/1934 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC.
SC Death Certificate #9892, Registration District #40-B, Registered #21, George W. Wilder, DOD 6/2/1934 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC
Male, White, Married to Ela Massengill (sic), DOB 10/3/1884 in SC, 49 yrs, 7 mos, 0 days old
Occupation: City policeman
Father: James Wilder, born in SC
Mother: Nancy Floyd, born in SC
Informant: Robert Wilder, Woodruff, SC
DOD 6/2/1934 at 11:00am
Cause of death: "pistol wound of head, suicide"
Buried: 6/3/1934 in Unity
Undertaker: Lanford-Boyter, Woodruff, SC
The Greenville News, Greenville, SC, 6/3/1934, Pg 2
George M. Wilder (sic), Night Policeman At Woodruff Succumbs To Wounds
Ill Health Blamed
Woodruff, June 2 - George W. Wilder, 49, night policeman, died at his home at 1:30a.m. today from self-inflicted pistol wounds which he suffered at 8:45 o'clock this morning soon after returning from his night duty.
Despondency over ill health was the cause given by the family for his act. No inquest was deemed necessary. Mr. Wilder returned from his duty on the streets around 2 o'clock and after taking a nap got up and went across the hall to his daughter's room where he fired the shot that ended his life, the bullet going through his temples. Mr. Wilder had been on night duty here for the past two years and was chief of police for one term six years ago. He was formerly connected with the Standard Oil company and foreman of the Bryson's farms. He was a member of the First Baptist church and Bethel Lodge A.F.M. No. 12.
He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Wilder.
Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon from the First Baptist church at 4 o'clock, conducted by the pastor, the Rev. J.H. Simpson, assisted by the Rev. R.W. Carson, the Rev. P.S. McChesney, the Rev. J.G. Huggins, the Rev. W.B. Jenkins and the Rev. H.J. Snyder of Ware Shoals. Interment will be in Unity Baptist church cemetery.
He is survived by his widow, who before marriage was Miss Ela Massingale; three sons, Claude Wilder, of Somerset, Ky.; Robert Wilder, Chattanooga, Tenn, and Wilburn Wilder, Spartanburg; five daughters, Mrs. Nelson Gwinn, Mrs. Alton Meadows and Miss Sara Wilder, of Woodruff; Mrs. Clyde Skinner, Gaffney; Miss Margaret Wilder, Charleston; five grandchildren and one brother, Lang Wilder, Spartanburg.
Active pallbearers will be wardens of the town, R.B. Hunt, G.W. Harmon, W.H. Jones, Charles Green, Joe Pearson and Fred Culbertson.
Honorary pallbearers will be: Mayor S.C. Westmoreland, W.P. Jones, J.B. Drummond, A.S. Lanford, Wade Drummond, M.E. McAbee, Clarence Hill, Russell Montgomery, C.S. Anderson, Andy Cooper, R.L. Bethell, Laurence Bearden, Lewis Barnett, H.W. Burkhead, J.N. Swofford, P.E. Bryson, M.B. Edwards, Dr. B.J. Workman, Dr. H.H. Workman, Dr. A.S. Pearson, Dr. W.A. Woodruff, Dr. D.D. Alexander, Dr. W.B. Toole, Dr. O.H. McCord, Dr. J.N. Stinson, O.T. Newman, C.H. Pearson, Bryon McAbee, M.D. Putnam, S.J. Workman, J.T. Floyd, H.K. Gentry, H.B. Kilgore, Sam Skinner, H.A. Meadows, M.A. Lanford, M.B. Gwinn, Sam Hill, Claude Hill, N.N. Turner, Rufus Pearson, Dorroh Lanford, Willie Skinner, O.O. Rogers, J.R. Owens, W.H. Shanklin, N.P. Gentry, M.E. Gentry, B.B. Fowler, C.P. Workman, Barto Phillips, Paul Phillips, B.K. Arnold, O.L. Leroy, J.A. Skinner, Dr. O.E. Westmoreland, W.A. Patillo, Wister Dean, Jesse Lanford, W.S. Roebuck, George Garrett, B. Garrett, John Garrett, Glenn McIntyre, and Wayne McIntyre.
The Gaffney Ledger, Gaffney, 6/5/1934, Pg 1
Father of Mrs. Clyde Skinner of Gaffney, Takes Own Life
Woodruff, June 2 - George W. Wilder, age 49, Woodruff policeman died this morning at 11:45 o'clock from self-inflicted gun wounds. No inquest was necessary, it was ruled.
Wilder, former chief of police here and night policeman at the time of his death, had served about five years on the local force. He had been in ill health for several months.
He was a member of the First Baptist church, and the Masonic and Eastern Star fraternal orders.
Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock at
the First Baptist church conducted by the Rev. J.H. Simpson and assisted by the Rev. P.S. McChesney, J.G. Huggins, R.W. Carson, W.B. Jenkins and H.J. Snyder.
He will be buried in the Unity cemetery, five miles from Woodruff.
He is survived by his wife Mrs. Ela Massingale Wilder; three sons, Claude, of Somerset, Ky.; Robert, of Chattanooga, Tenn, and Wilburn, of Spartanburg; five daughters, Mrs. Clyde Skinner of Gaffney, Miss Margaret Wilder of Charleston, Mrs. N.S. Gwinn, Mrs. Alton Meadows and Miss Sarah Wilder of Woodruff; five grandchildren and a brother, Lang Wilder of Spartanburg, also survive.
Active pallbearers will be the councilmen of Woodruff; Joe Pearson, Charlie Green, George Harmon, W.H. Jones, Fred Culbertson and Ralph Hunt.
1940 U.S. Census of 7 Chamblin, Woodruff, Spartanburg, South Carolina; Roll: m-t0627-03840; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 42-89, Lines 37-40, next page Lines 1-2, "Clyde F. Skinner"
Clyde F. Skinner, Head, Rents home for $17, M(ale), W(hite), 40 yrs old (DOB 1900, Married, Attended school thru 7th grade, Born in SC, Lived in Gaffney, Cherokee County, SC in 1935, Salesman grocery wholesale, Income $936
Lucile Skinner, Wife, F, W, 36 yrs old (DOB 1904), Married, Attended school thru high school 2 yrs, Born in SC, Lived in Gaffney, Cherokee County, SC in 1935, clerk for drycleaners
Charles Skinner, Son, M, W, 11 yrs old (DOB 1929), Single, Attends school, Attended school thru 5th grade, Born in SC, Lived in Gaffney, Cherokee County, SC in 1935,
Bobby Skinner, Son, M, W, 10 yrs old (DOB 1930), Single, Attends school, Attended school thru 4th grade, Born in SC, Lived in Gaffney, Cherokee County, SC in 1935,
Ena Wilder (sic, Ela Wilder), Mother-in-law, F, W, 57 yrs old (DOB 1883), Widowed, Attended school thru 3rd grade, Born in SC, Lived in same place in 1935
Sara Wilder, sister-in-law, F, W, 21 yrs old (DOB 1919), Single, Attended school thru high school 2 years, Born in SC, Lived in same place in 1935, Operator for telephone
Ela Jane Massengale Wilder died 9/19/1950 in Chamblin Street, Woodruff, Spartanburg, SC.
SC Death Certificate #50-013773, Registration District #40-B, Registrar's #892, Ela Massengale Wilder, DOD 9/19/1950 in Chamblin Street, Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC
Usual residence: same
Female, White, Widowed, Spouse: George W. Wilder, DOB 12/24/1883 in Pickens County, SC, 67 yrs old
Father: T.S. Massengale, Mother: Susan Brown, Informant: Robert P. Wilder
DOD 9/19/1950
Cause of death: Pulmonary edema due to cardiac failure
Buried: 9/20/1950 in Unity Cemetery, Woodruff, SC
FindAGrave.com
George William Wilder
BIRTH 3 Oct 1884, Woodruff, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, USA
DEATH 2 Jun 1934 (aged 49), Spartanburg County, South Carolina, USA
BURIAL Unity Baptist Church Cemetery New, Roebuck, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, USA
MEMORIAL ID 8720225
Ellen Jane “Ela” Massengale Wilder
BIRTH 24 Dec 1880, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, USA
DEATH 19 Sep 1950 (aged 69), Woodruff, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, USA
BURIAL Unity Baptist Church Cemetery New, Roebuck, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, USA
MEMORIAL ID 54942319
Spartanburg Herald (Spartanburg, SC) Wednesday, September 20, 1950; Mrs. Ela Wilder, Wooduff - Mrs. Ela M. Wilder. 57, wife of the late George W. Wilder, died suddenly at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Nelson Gwinn Sr., on Chamblin Street. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 4 p. m. at the First Baptist Church here. The Revs. C. L. Boyter, W. J. Bradley and Lawrence Pruitt will officiate and burial will be in Unity Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Belton and Edgar Wilder: Douglas and George Massengale, Albert Taylor and James Roddy. Mrs. Wilder is survived by 2 sons: Robert P. of Clinton and Wilburn of Spartanburg: 5 daughters, Mrs. Clyde Skinner, Mrs. Gwinn and Mrs. Alton Meadows of Woodruff, Mrs. Jessie Lee Reynolds of Manila, P. I. and Mrs. Sara Carter of Spartanburg: her mother, Mrs. T. M. Massengale of Greer: 3 brothers, John, Wade and Oscar Massengale of Greer: 5 sisters, Mrs. J. L. Wilder of Spartanburg, Mrs. M. W. Perry and Mrs. F. M. Roddy of Greer, Mrs. DeWitt Turner of Greenwood and Mrs. Clifton Hall of Leesville: and 14 grandchildren. The Lamar - Lanford Funeral Home is in charge of Funeral arrangements.
The Index Journal, Greenwood, SC, 9/21/1950, Pg 10
If you have any comments, corrections or additional information, please email me at Mom25dogs@gmail.com.