Evening star., 1909-06-28
DEATH OF WILLIAM J. WILSON
REGARDED AS AUTHORITY ON
LOCAL HISTORICAL FACTS.
Fund of Accurate knowledge of
Land Titles Was of Great Value
to Business Men.

In the death of William James Wilson
at his home. 2OO4 G street northwest, at
$50 O'Clock yesterday afternoon, Wash
ington lost one of its oldest and most val
ued citizens. Born in the District nearly
seventy-six years ago, Mr.. Wilson was
closely identified with Washington affairs
from early manhood. He spent his whole
life in the first ward" three generations
of his family being born there. and for
many years had been an authority on
matters relating to the West End.
The father OF William James Wilson
was William Wilson, who was born in
Washington more than century ago. All
his children and all the children of Will
liam James Wilson were born on Goth
street within the limits of three blocks.
The different homes of the family have
always been located in the vicinity Of
Goth and G streets.
Years ago Mr. Wilson was a clerk IN
the office of the paymaster general of the
army. Gen. Brice being at that time pay
master general. Later he left the gov
ernment service and became identified
with traction interests. For fourteen
years he was treasurer of the Metropoli-
tan Street Railway Company, and was
engaged in that capacity when the Wash
ington Railway and Electric Company
bought out the Metropolitan. For forty
Firemen's Insurance Company of Wash
ington, and was vice president OF the
company at the time of his death.
Until few years ago Mr.. Wilson was
a remarkable vigorous and healthy man.
but an attack of ptomaine poisoning which
he suffered about three years ago, i'm
paired his health. For several months
he had been failing, but showed great
improvement ten days ago, when he was
able to leave the house and take drive.
He suffered relapse, however, and his
end was expected at any time.
Authority on Historical Facts.
So frequent were the calls upon Mr..
Wilson during recent years for informa-
ton relative to historical facts concerning
Washington that he used to refer to him
self. humorously, as one whose only use
fulness was his ability to clear up real
estate titles concerning which there was
doubt. That this was Mr.. Wilson's only
value was not true, but 1t is nevertheless
edge of titles In the District was Of great
value to the business men Of the city and
others interested in property questions
In 1863 Mr.. Wilson married Miss Maria
L. Hanna of indianapolis She died about
ten years ago. Surviving him are
brother, Gen. c. I. Wilson, U. s. A., re
tired. who recently sailed for Europe. and
seven sons and daughters. His sons are
Charles Frederick Wilson, an attorney,
who is at present employed in a conflden-
tial capacity by the Secretary of State.
and Claiborne A. Wilson. His daughters
are Mrs. James NJ. Durant of Chevy
Chase, Miss Julia Wilson, Miss Sadie VIII
son, Mrs. Charles I. Martin of Parkers-
burg, w. va, and Miss Helen Wilson.
Funeral Services.
Funeral services will be held at the
home, 2O04 G street northwest, at
O. clock Tuesday afternoon. Rev. Free
land Peter, assistant rector of the Church
of the Epiphany, will ofhciate. The burial
will be in Oak Hill cemetery. The pail
bearers will be Mr.. Wilson's sons, Charles,
Frederick and Claiborne Wilson; his sons
in-law, James NJ. Durant and Charles l.
Martin; his grandson, Valentine Wilson;
his nephews, Charles H. Wilson of New
York and w. w. Breneman, and William
Maurice Hoffman, secretary of the Fire
mems Insurance Company.