Mary Ann Wilson married Ira W. Padden on 11 May 1851, Talbot District, Norfolk County, Ontario. Mary Ann was born in Canada in April 1834. They resided in Woodhouse County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario, Canada where Ira's occupation was engineer. In January 1853, a daughter, Jessie Ann Padden, was born.

Early in 1856 Ira, his wife, Mary Ann, daughter, Jessie A. Padden, and his sister Mary Ann moved to Mower County, Minnesota and settled on the southeast quarter of section 6 where Ira began to farm. On 10 Nov 1859 he purchased 40 acres in Township 102 N, Range 17 W. Section 6 at the land office at Chatfield, Minnesota, Document number 5263.

Ira W. and his wife Mary Ann had three children: Jessie Ann Padden, born in January 1854 in Ontario, Canada; Francis A. Padden, born about 1856 in Minnesota, and Ira E. Padden, born 7 September 1858 in Windom Township, Mower County, Minnesota.

Ira W. Padden died on 17 September 1865, when he was murdered. Mary Ann Wilson Padden later married D. M. Lester. They had two children: Grace E. Lester born 22 February 1868; died 1 May 1868; and Stephen Harry Lester born August 1869, and died 9 June 1922 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.Mary Ann continued to reside in Austin, Mower County, until she died on 19 March 1905.

By Joyce A. Reilly

 

Webization by Kermit Kittleson, Nov. 7, 2007