Northumberland County PA Archives Biographies.....Wilson, Harry W. 1865 - living in 1899 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com July 3, 2005, 7:09 pm Author: Biographical Publishing Co. HARRY W. WILSON, of the firm of R. F. Wilson & Co., manufacturers of leather fly-nets, of Milton, Pa., is a son of William E. Wilson and a grandson of Robert Wilson, who was the inventor of leather fly-nets for horses. Robert Wilson was born October 16, 1810, at Williamsport, Pa., and early in life he learned the saddler's and harnessmaker's trade, at which he worked in his native town and also in New York State. In 1850 he settled in Milton, Pa., where he worked as a journeyman at his trade, and six years later he devised what has since been known all over the United States as the Wilson Fly Net. In 1856 he commenced on a small scale, employing only three or four men, the manufacture of leather fly-nets and placed them upon the market. Their value was at once recognized and the demand increased in one year from 400 to thousands. Mr. Wilson secured a patent for the nets in 1858, and in 1870 sold 3,000, while in 1879 the sale had increased to 25,000. He began the manufacture of nets in the Goodlander building, and in 1860 he formed a partnership with Mr. Funk, who was with him five years, retiring in 1865. During the Rebellion he felt it his duty to defend his country's honor and volunteered in 1863, serving three months and then returning to his former business of manufacturing fly-nets. After the partnership with Mr. Funk was dissolved, Robert Wilson took his son, William E. Wilson, as a partner; and one year later he sold his interest to his second son, Reuben F., retiring from business. He died in 1870. He was united in marriage to Lucretia Heinen, a daughter of Dr. Henry Heinen; she died in 1853, leaving three sons: William E., our subject's father; Henry H.; and Reuben F., who married Mrs. Rebecca Overpeck in 1860. William E. Wilson, our subject's father, was born in Milton, October 9, 1837. After going through the public schools and Milton Academy he learned the trade of harnessmaking and worked as a journeyman for several years. He then enlisted in the Navy and was acting as master-mate on the Ironsides at the beginning of the Civil War, in which capacity he continued to serve until the close of the war in 1865. He returned to Milton and went into partnership for one year with his father, Robert Wilson, the inventor, in the manufacture of leather horse fly-nets. When his father retired he took his brother, Reuben F., in the business and they continued under the firm name of Reuben F. Wilson & Bro. until 1875, when he retired from the business and died July 2, 1882. From 1875 to 1888 the business was conducted under the firm name of R. F. Wilson. In that year it was changed to R. F. Wilson & Co., which style it retains up to the present year. William E. Wilson firmly supported the Republican party and held many minor township offices. He married Mary H. Foreman and reared a family of twelve children, namely: Arrabella, deceased; Sally, now deceased; Annie Lucretia; Harry W., our subject; Robert G.; Winfield S.; Robert F.; Grace G.; Rebecca; Jacob V., now deceased; Lizzie, now deceased; and Kate. Mrs. Wilson is still living and resides in Milton. Harry W. Wilson, our subject, was born December 17, 1865, in Milton, Pa. He attended the public and high schools of his native town until 1880, when he began work in the fly-net manufactory of his ancestors, and continued there for twelve years, when his faithful services were rewarded by his being made a partner in the concern. The firm is composed of Mrs. R. F. Wilson, Marshal Reid, B. F. Vandegrift, and H. W. Wilson. Mr. Marshal Reid is the general manager, and H. W. Wilson and B. F. Vandegrift have charge of the details of the business. The firm manufactures 40,000 fly-nets annually, for which are used fifty sides of leather per day, making three grades, fine, extra fine, and common, black. The firm has established a fine reputation for first-class work all over the United States and the goods are shipped from Maine to California. Our subject married Lizzie A. Trate, a daughter of John Trate of New Columbus, Pa. Two children have blessed this union: Mary L., and Ruth, who died in infancy. Mr. Wilson is a stanch Republican and although he never aspired to public office, his many friends have persuaded him to accept some political honors. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY (1899) This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/pafiles/ File size: 5.0 Kb