BIO: George WILSON, Beaver County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Joe Patterson Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver.html http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver/bios/bbios.htm Index for this bio book. _________________________________________________________________ BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Buffalo, N.Y., Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 225-229. _________________________________________________________________ GEORGE WILSON. Conspicuous among the successful attorneys who devote their whole attention to the active practice of their profession, stands George Wilson, the subject of this brief biography. Mr. Wilson attended the Beaver High School, and after completing its course, he began the study of law with his father. After diligently pursuing his studies for some time, he was admitted to the bar, March 4, 1889, soon after the death of his father. He began the practice of his chosen profession by entering into partnership with R. S. Holt, under the firm name of Wilson & Holt, of which he is still a partner. Mr. Wilson's undivided attention is given to his chosen profession, and like his father, he has built up a splendid reputation. Sarah Cummings, an attractive daughter of David and Sarah Cummings, of Freedom, Pa., became the wife of Mr. Wilson. Their home is brightened by the presence of four children namely: Marion, Caroline, Samuel B., and Richard. In his political attachments, Mr. Wilson is a stanch Democrat, and, although he labors zealously for the success of his party, he has never sought office nor cared for political distinction, being very much like his honored father in that respect. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity of Beaver. Our subject is a direct descendant of Samuel Wilson, who was of Scotch origin, and his wife was a descendant of the early Knickerbockers. Early in the eighteenth century, he married Mary Van Wier, who was born in Holland. This worthy couple owned and occupied a farm along Marsh Creek, near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. There he engaged in tilling the soil, and spent a peaceful and happy domestic life, and there they both died, leaving two sons: Samuel, and Marmaduke, who was the great-grandfather of our subject. 226 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Marmaduke Wilson was born upon his father's homestead, and in 1744 was united in marriage with Susan Beatty. The young folks started out in life at the homestead, caring for the old parents very lovingly until the death of the latter. They then removed to Westmoreland county, Pa., and continued to follow agricultural pursuits for many years. The names of their children were: Patrick; Samuel; Rachel (McFarlan); Jane (Dunlap); Susan (Marshall); Easter (Rambo); Martha (Gibson); Sarah (Mitchell); and Elizabeth (Byers). About 1801, Patrick Wilson located in Beaver county, the part now called Lawrence county. There he followed mercantile pursuits, and in 1804 his marriage with Rebecca Morehead, a daughter of William Morehead, occurred. They had the following children: William; Marmaduke; John; Susan (Phillips); Nancy (Chriss); Sarah (Harper); and Samuel. In 1811, Mr. Wilson purchased a farm near New Castle, where he spent many happy years, and finally died in 1866. This farm is still owned by his descendants. Samuel B. Wilson, father of George, was born February 20, 1824, and from early childhood his aspirations were beyond those of his playmates. He was a faithful student in the district schools, from which he entered Jefferson College at Cannonsburg, Pa., graduating therefrom in June, 1848, with about the highest honors of his class. He enjoyed the distinction of being a noted linguist, and his mastery of the English, Latin, and Greek languages was never questioned by either his fellow students, or the professors. Moreover, he not only kept up with his studies when the college course was ended, but greatly increased his knowledge of the ancient classics by daily reading and timely reviews. Soon after leaving college, he was chosen principal of Darlington Academy, a position which he held until the fall of 1849, when he went to Somerset county, and became a law student in the office of the Hon. Jeremiah S. Black, who was then president judge of the Sixteenth Judicial District of Pennsylvania. Mr. Wilson was admitted to the bar, November 12, 1850, and immediately thereafter went to Beaver, where he practiced in the several courts of the county, and in due time acquired a lucrative practice, which occupied his time for more than a quarter of a century. He was engaged in the interests of the most important legal business that has been transacted in Beaver county. His receipts for professional services have perhaps been greater in amount than that of any other resident lawyer who has at any time practiced at the Beaver county bar. Samuel B. Wilson, although an active politician in the interest of the Democratic party, never sought office. The height of his ambition was to become a thorough scholar, and an honest and successful lawyer; he loved justice, law, and peace. In the practice of his profession, he outlived the ambition of display before courts and juries, he learned to bear criticism without irritation, censure without anger, and calumny without retaliation. He BEAVER COUNTY 229 learned how surely all schemes of evil bring disaster to them that support them, and that the granite shaft of a noble reputation can not be destroyed by the poisoned breath of slander. In 1856, he purchased of Judge Agnew, the Susan Cochran estate, one of Beaver's oldest homes, and a substantial building for its day, located on the north side of the Park, on Turnpike alley. Here Samuel Beatty Wilson had his office and reared his family around the old-time fireplace. This handsome old estate is today owned by the subject of this sketch, as his father left it later in life, and purchased a handsome brick residence on the adjoining lot, which was built by Senator Quay. There Mr. Wilson spent the remainder of his days, passing to the life beyond the grave in January, 1889. His widow is still living, and occupies the same home in which he left her. Mr. Wilson was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and passed all the degrees from the F. & A. M., to the Knights Templar. April 11, 1854, he led to the hymeneal altar, Elizabeth Robinson, a daughter of George Robinson, who was then sheriff of Beaver county. As a scholar, a student, and an assistant, Mrs. Wilson had been of great assistance to her husband, besides being a kind and loving mother, who reared a family, and is loved and esteemed by all. Their children were: Sarah, now deceased; Anna, wife of A. R. Whitehill, a professor of physics in the University of West Virginia; Mary, wife of George Davidson; and George, the subject of this sketch. George Wilson is held in high repute in his community, and is a man whom all respect and honor. He has a pleasing address and is liberal in his sentiments. His genial disposition and reputation for honesty have made him a favorite not only with his brother practitioners, but among all classes.