What does Gen. George S. Patton, Jr. have to do with Savannah Cemetery?
Well, another military man, Wiley R. Wilson, a veteran of the War of 1812 and buried in Savannah Memorial Park, was the great uncle of this famous general.
Wiley’s brother, Benjamin Davis Wilson, was a very prominent person in Southern California; serving as Mayor of Los Angeles, a Los Angeles County Supervisor and California State Senator. Benjamin Davis Wilson had a daughter, Ruth, by his second marriage and this daughter would marry George S. Patton, Sr. together they had a son George S. Patton, Jr. and as they say the rest is history.
Benjamin Davis Wilson is also the namesake for Southern California’s Mt. Wilson, which on a clear day can be seen from Savannah Cemetery. Benjamin Davis Wilson is buried in nearby San Gabriel Cemetery.
Wiley R. Wilson is one of two veterans from the War of 1812 buried in the Savannah Memorial Park.
