The record-union., 1892-06-06
SAMUEL NJ. WILSON.
Death of One of tho Most Prominent
Lawyers of the state.

Death of One of tho Most Prominent
Lawyers of the state.
SAN FRANCISCO, June 5.-Samuel NJ.
Wilson, one of the foremost lawyers of
the State, died at his home on Pine street
yesterday morning shortly after 3 o clock.
Although Mr.. Wilson had been ailing
for some months, his death was sur
prise to his family and friends, tor he re-
manned in his Office busily engaged until
4 O'Clock Friday afternoon
On Friday Mr.. Wilson saw quite Il
number OF clients at his Office, and it was
not until late III the afternoon that he lett
to go to his home. He seemed pale and
exhausted, and his condition excited the
attention OF his clerks. They, however,
on account OF his not having been in
robust health, did not think anything Of
1t, and supposed that he was merely
weared from the labors Of the day
He walked only short distance. how
ever, when he became too weak to pro-
ceed further, and went into a store on
Montgomery street to rest. But after q
lew moments it was found that his
strength had not returned, and carriage
was summoned to carry him to his home.
Arrived there he became unconscious
and renamed so for some moments
Physicians were summoned, but they
saw that the only thing they could do
was TO make the last hours Of the dyinv
man pass as easily as possible, and 10
that end they applied themselves
Dr. ROSenStirn states that the Immediate
cause OF death was blood clot that formed
in the heart and passed into one Of the
lungs. Notwithstanding that he had been
alllng for some time he refused to take
rest, as he had been ordered to do bv his
physicians. But his medical advisers
even did not suspect that there was any
trouble with his heart.
The deceased came of an old
family of Quaker origin. He was born in
1923 at SteuDenville, o., and received his
education in an academy of that town.
He studied law under General Samuel
Stokely, Congressman, under whom
the late Judge Hoge also obtained his
legal knowledge.
After practlc1ng in his native place for
while ne went to Galena, H.. and be-
came associated with Colonel Hoge. In
1888 both partners came to San Francisco,
and at once built up an extensive and Iu-
cratlYe practice. Five years before lie
had married the daughter of John Scott,
Congressman from Missouri.
In 1864 the firm WAS dissolved and Mr.
Wilson formed copartnership with his
brother, David S. Wilson, who, however.
soon returned to the East. In 1866 he
associated himself with A. Z. Crittendeu.
and the firm of Wilson & Crittenden
lasted until the Junior member was shot
by Laura ID. Fair III 1870. In 1874 his son
Russell j. Wilson was admitted to part
nership with his father, and ever since
the firm has been Wilson d Wilson.
Mr.. Wilson was not active in politics.
but had several times been member Of
local conventions. Governor Haight
once rendered him seat OH the Supreme
Bench, and wrote him letter. earnestly
pressing him TO don the ermine, but he
declined. With his old partner, Colonel
! Hoge, he was members OF the body of
Fifteen Freeholders of San Francisco,
who prepared the defeated charter OF
1879, and also of the State Constitutional
Convention Of 1873. Of the latter body
Colonel Hoge was President and Mr.
Wilson was Chairman of the judiciary
Committee. He refused to sign the new
Constitution.
He rarely addressed the people Among
the few occasions when he has done so
may be mentioned his Fourth of July
Grafton at Sacramento in 1860 and his
address at the laying of the cornerstone
of the State Capitol. The production out
side Of his profession which was the best
was his eulogy upon Samuel j. Tilden
before the State Democratic Club at San
Francisco shortly after that statesman's
death in 1886.
The news of the death of Mr.. Wilson
was heard with expressions OF sincere
regret by all citizens who had known
him during his long and distinguished
career in this city. Not alone from mem
bers Of his own profession came such ex-
pressions of regard and regret, but from
merchants, from railway men, brokers
and others, whose business ut some time
had brought them in contact with tho
deceased.