Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1916-06-30
KNOWN
AS EDUCATOR
Held Many High Positions Before
Becoming Head of Prince
ton University.
HIS POLITICAL LIFE SHORT
Was Elected Governor OF New Jer-
sey In 1910 and President Of the
United States in 1et2-Of
ccotch-Irish Descent and
Born Ia Virginia.


ccotch.Irish Descent and
Born h Virginia.
DR.. Woodrow Wilson was born at
Staunton, Va. on December IS, 1856.
He is the son of DR.. Joseph r. Wilson,
a Presbyterian minister, and the grand
son of Judge James Wilson, an Irish
man Of Scotch descent, who migrated
from County Down to Philadelphia in
1907. James Wilson prospered and be-
came manager Of the Aurora, a lend
ing Democratic Journal, Philadelphia
then being the national capital.
About two years after Woodrow VIII
sons birth his father accepted n call
to the passionate Of the Presbyterian
church of Augusta. Gu. This was at
that time one Of the most influential
congregations In the South, and the
elder Wilson remained as its pastor
throughout the Civil war. He was rec
| ognized as one of the leading divlnes
of the South.
Woodrow was only five years old
when the wal broke out, and as Au-
guSta was not the scene of any actual
conflict, the boy knew little about what
was going on. He was also shielded
from the stormy passions and violent
prejudices Of the war, and grew up
into manhood unwarped by sectional
hate.
1t was at Steubenville, Ohio, that
Joseph Ruggles Wilson. the father Of
Woodrow Wilson, was born on Febru-
airy 2S, 1922. He was the scholar Of
James Wilson'S family. Jefferson col
lege graduated him as valedictorian In
1914, after which he taught school and
prepared for the Presbyterian minis
try at the Western Theological semi
nary and Princeton seminary. In lS49
Joseph r. Wilson married Janet Wood,
row, daughter Of DR.. Thomas Wood
row, a famous Presbyterian minister
of the day, who was a descendant from
ancient English stock. The Rev. Mr.
Wilson became the father Of two
daughters before he was called rs pas
tor to Staunton, Va, where a thirt
child, n son. was born, and christenet
Thomas Woodrow.
The early years Of the president
life were spent In the interesting
though inconspicuous pursuit # knowl
edge. He specialized In the law, II
American history, and In politica
economy. With this foundation laid
he burst upon the political world II
1910 when he was elected governor o
New Jersey on the Democratic ticket
In the second year of his governor
ed under the management of william
F. McCOmbs, one Of his former stu
dents at Princeton. During the pre-
convention months no less than half
dozen other entrants for presidential
hOnors made their appearance.
At the subsequent Democratic M
llOllul convention ~ bulIllhOiVi Jun
2S-July ., Mr.. Wilson bent out all en-
tries with a vote that Increased n
each roll call till his victory was re
corded on the forty-sixth ballot. 1
the election that followed he was n
easy victor over the Taft and ROost
welt tickets, though his entire popula
vote did not reach that accorded WI
liam Jennings Bryan In 1908.
OF Scotch-lrlsh Descent.
President Wilson Is the son Of j
seph II. and Jessie Woodrow Wilson
J disciples Of the Scotch Presbyteria
J faith. He was born In the manse Of
small church In Stanton, Va, wher
} his father was curate.
From Virginia the Wilson's moved
Georgia, when Woodrow was abo,
|. two years old. There the presideT
spent his early boyhood "tn the hea.
Of the most terrible tempest that eve
swept over the Countrywide Civ
, war.
, From Georgia the family moved
, South Carolina. In the Old Palmett
! State the future president budded In
youth and began TO think upon u c
reer. lie first attended Davidson &C
n lege, where he put in n year Of hal
n study.
After this one year at college, Woo
n row remained at home during the ne
twelve months, transferring to Il
younger brothers n part Of the lear
q ing he had brought with him from d
: wilson.
This brings his biography up to 4
. year 1874 momentous year (
\ Woodrow Wilson and for Princet'
university. 1t was the year he G
10 tered Princeton.
70 He had not been at Princeton To-
10 before he found out just what he wal
- ed to do. And that thing was to