The morning call., 1892-06-05

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Samuel NJ Wilson.
the end. From the first they recognized
that his life was ebbng away and that all
their skill could not pr0lOng it. They there
fore directed their efforts TO making him as
comfortable as possible in his last moments.
During the night he complained of pain
in the chest and he experienced great
trouble in breathing His stomach would
not retain food and his pulse was very
weak. Stimulants were administered, but
did not bring about the desired reaction.
and shortly after O'clock he passed quietly
away, having been conscious to the last.
Death was caused by the formation OF clot
in the heart
A recent biogrlpher has, not inappro-
priately perhaps, likened Samuel Mount
ford Wilson as a leader Of the bar, to john
Stuart Mill as a leader of English thought
ana has applied 70 both Max Muller's
Characterization of the latter as one who
''by the elevation Of his character and the
calm cOmpesure of his mind deserved the
often misplaced title of serene highneSs.'
Certain it is that Samuel MOuntt0rd VIII
son was one of the leading lawyers OF
America When be placed his name on the
San Francisco Great Register In June, 1866,
he gave his age as AZ years He was born
in SteubenFiile, O., in 1924 When but
Grove Academy few years, but never re-
ceiYed a college diploma, being compelled
to maintain himself from the time his
physical strength made ii possible. He
read law. after leaving school, in the office
of General Samuel StOkely, a member OF
Congress from Ohio, and pursued the study
of Latin and other branches at the same
time. lie was admitted to the bar IN
Steubenyiie and practiced there for some
time In 1915 Colonel j. 7. HOge, who had
10 T1.nau FsNErf ~3l
him TO come there and offered him part
nership in the business. Mr.. Wilson ac-
cepted.
Before he had pTacticed in Galena very
long be WAS appointed District Attorney OF
the county, and during his service IN that
capacity he did the only criminal law bust
ness that he ever attended to in his life.
This branch Of the profession was always
distastefGl to him.
While at Galena Mr. Wilson first met tie
lady who afterward became his wife. She
was Missouri lady, the daughter of John
Scott. delegate to Congress from Missouri
Territory and the first representative of that
State in Congress az er Ks admission.
The law firm of Hoge u Wilson continued
at Galena until 1855, when together the
partners closed out their business and came
TO San Francisco, where the partnership
was continued. with offices IN MOntgOa erg
block, till 1864, when it was dissolved by
mutual consent
Upon the separation of Messrs. Hoge and
Wilson the latter formed partnership with
his brother David 5. Wilson, which con-
tinued about q year and a half, when the
brother removed to Iowa, where he was
afterward elected Circuit Judge. In 1866
A. Z. Crittenden Joined Mr.. Wilson, and the
firm of Wilson & CTittenden continued till
the latter's death in 1870. For the next four
years Mr.. Wilson had no partner. but re-
tanned Judge w. ". Cope TO assist him.
T., Mr
second son, Russell j. Wilson, became asso i
aied in business, and the firm Of Wilson &
Wilson has since continued without change,
other than tie admission OF another son,
N. ). Wilson.
IL is said that s. N. Wilson enjoyed
larger income from his regular ltw practice
than any other lawyer in California. He
was attorney for a score of millionares, for
many of the most prosperous mining cor
D0rations, for the Safe Deposit Company,
Wells, Fargo q Co.. the Bank of California
and for the Central Pacific Railroad Com
pany.
Some lawyers disputed whether Mr.. Will
sou was better before the jury or the court.
The truth is he had but few equals in either
capacity. lie was a methodical, patient,
tireless worker and investigator. He pos
sessed pre-eminently what is known as
legal mind. He was lawyer clear through.
He loved legal science and made IL his
constant study lie had rare genius for
work. and without seeming 10 hurry or fret
could accomplish in one day what most good
lawyers would want three days for.
He possessed reflective cast Of mind, q
fine judgement and vast fund of common
sense, from which he drew in his practice
largely. Success was his destiny.
IN delivery he was qCiet and deliberate.
and his speeches were never ornamented
with useless phTaseOlogy lie was simple
at least for a laHyer-diTect and plain in his
a "
atfectation, yet possessed a more magiste-
rial air than any other lawyer on the coast.
Both in and out of court he was recog-
nized az a thoughtful counselor and we'll
bred gentleman, and the high esteem in
which he was held by the profession was
due not more 10 his legal ability than TO the
uniform gentility which ever marked his
treatment of his brethren.
Though he had several times been men,
Der of local conventions, 1t could scarcely be
said that Mr.. Wilson was active in politics.
Once Governor Haight rendered him a seat
on the Supreme bench, and urged upon him
its acceptance, but he declined the honor.
With bis old partner, Colonel HOge, he was
member Of the body OF fifteen freehollerS of
San Francisco who prepared the defeated
charter Of 1879. He Was, too, member of the
State constitutional convention of 1873. OF
this body Colonel Hoge was president and
Mr. Wilson chairman of the judiciary COM
mittee. lie refused to sign the new cOnsti-
tuition.
A few Of the very notable cases tried by
Mr. Wilson are the mortgage-tax cases,
the Beale-street cases, the New City Hall
case, that of Sill VS.. Reese, the Black will
contest. the American Sugar Refinery case.
that Of Cunningham VS.. Ashley ct al, and
the Broderick will case.
In his practice the deceased accumulated
large fortune, estimated In the millions.
He leaves n widow and four sons TO mourn
his loss. Two of the sons, Mourtford and
John Scott wilson, are at present IN this
city; Russell j. Wilson is on his way here
from New York. and DIR. Frank Wilson is
travelling In Egypt for the benefit OF his
health
No arrangements have yet been made for
the funeral, which will most likely be de-
layed until the arrival of Russell j. Wilson
from the East
g.. 60, -