The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-06-29
U
COLONEL SAMUEL c. WILSON.


Yesterday but a short time after the body OF
Hon. Henry S. Lane was laid away in its final
resting place at Charlottesville, his old friend
and former law partner, Colonel Samuel c. Will
son, breathed his last. He was but a few months
older than Mr., Lane, having been born Septem-
Der, 1910, and Mr.. Lane in the following Feb
ruary. In 1887 these two distinguished gentlemen
entered into a law partnership, which continued
for sixteen years. Mr.. Wilson was born in
Cherry Valley. Otsego County, New York, Sep
TENDER Il, 1Sl0-the family being from Scotch
ancestry on the paternal and English on the ma
ternal side. Colonel Wilson's grandfather,
James Wilson, came 70 America in 1879, and was
actively engaged in the Revolutionary
War, and afterward held various
positions of honor and trust in
the Federal service. His paternal ancestors fed
from Scotland in the time of William and Mary,
owing to religious persecution, and settled in
County Antrim, Ireland. His grandfather mar
ried twice. His first wife was a sister of Judge
Wells, who was mastered by the Tories and In
dians at the sacking and burning Of Cherry Val
ley, N. y, in 177S. The only cone of the
family that escaped was John Wells. at
one time one of the most distinguished
lawyers of the Philadelphia Bar. Mr..
Wilson's second wife was one OF the Campbells of
Az NACDAaNC RNONNh NAtA VI AlCOullum MOTE.
Colonel wilson's maternal grandfather was
named Spencer, and came to this country with
Ann Lee, the founder of the Society of Shakers.
of whom he was a devout follower. In
1754 Mr.. Wilson's paternal grandfather
was High Sheriff of Albany County,
New York, and among his prisoners was
Mr.. Spencer, incareerated because of his Shaker
religious views. Here an Acquaintance was
formed, which led TO a double marriage between
Colonel Wilson's father, his fathers brother,
and two of the Shakers daughters. Colonel Will
sons maternal grandfather was nearly related to
Major General Nathaniel Greene, the fighting
Quaker General of the Revolution. His paternal
grandfather, before mentioned. settled in 1879 in
Cherry Valley. and the original homestead is still
in the possession of the family, having descended
from father to son, and never having been trans
ferred by deed since the period mentioned.
Colonel Wilson's early education was at the Cher
ry Vale Academy. At the age Of nineteen be
entered the law office OF Judge Levi
Beardsley, Of Cherry Valley. At the age
of twenty-three he was admitted to
the Bar of the Supreme Court. and was made
solicitor in Chancery by Chancellor Walworth.
In June 1884 he came 10 Indiana and settled in
Charleston, CLARK County. remaining there for
two years when he removed to Charlottesville,
where he has remained an honest, honored, up
right citizen. In 1887 he and Hon. Henry S.
Lane formed a law partnership which continued
until Mr.. Lane retired from practice in 1851.
L 1888 MI. Wilson was elected by the Legisla-
ture on joint ballot Prosecuting Attorney of his
Judicial District, comprising nine Counties, and
was twice reelected. In 1883 he formed a part
pership with ex-senator Joseph Z. Mcdonald,
which continued for six years, and was then only
- l. - tha rouoor.l -
Mr.. Mcdonald to indianapolis. A subsequent
partnership with General Lew Wallace was
interrupted by the breaking out of the late War
with the South. Since then Colonel Wilson con-
tinued the practice of his profession in connec-
ton with other duties, and of late years has had
associated with him the second son, Levi b. Will
son. For several years past he was actively in
terested in railroad enterprises, and was for
three years President of the Indianapolis.
Charlottesville aud Danville ~(llinois) Rail-
road, which was constructed under his admins
t~ration. and now forming the Eastern Division
of the indianapolis, Bloomington and Western.
For all the expenditure of time and money in
this important work he never received any
pecuniary compensation. He was DESTROYS to see
a through route on the line of travel, and in 1872
he had the satisfaction of taking a train at Craw-
louisville and landing at San Francisco without
changing cars.
In 1881. ~forty-one years previously he had ridden
from Albany to Schenectady behind the Johnny
Bull. the first locomotive in use in America
Colonel Wilson was for four years President Of
the Board of Trustees of the State Uni
versity at Bloomington. He used TO al
lude humorously to his title OF Colonel
and his war record, his Commission as Colonel
of the bloody Fiity-eighth Indiana militii
having been signed by Governor David Wallace
father of General Lew Wallace. Colonel Wilson
took quite an interest in agricultural matters
having been connected with the County and STATE
| Boards of Agriculture in various capacities. III
introduced the first thing used in this State an
q lived to see 1t become an important article Q
manufacture. His family were for many year
connected with the Methodist Episcopal .Churcf
u bnt Of late years have worshiped wit
e the Protestant Episcopal denomination. II
t wife was Miss Laura Maddox, of ChsrlestoNyn, Ind
/ where he married October 20, 1885, Her iath'