Husband Hon. Theophilus Strattan Wilson 1 2 3
Born: 17 Apr 1837 - Strattanville, Clarion Twp, Clarion Co, PA 2
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Died: 6 Jul 1891 - ? Indiana, Indiana Co, PA 2
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Father: Samuel Wilson (1808-1879) 2
Mother: Elizabeth Moran (1816- ) 2
Marriage: 1859 4
• Biographical Sketch: from Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion. (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1898).
To read this brief biographical sketch of his life and career, click here.
Wife Amanda Lowry 4
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Father: William H. Lowry ( - ) 4
Mother: Eliza [Unk] ( - ) 4
Children
1 M Edward M. Wilson 6
AKA: Edwin Wilson 5
Born: - Strattanville, Clarion Twp, Clarion Co, PA
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Died: 22 Sep 1900 - Clarion, Clarion Co, PA 4
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Spouse: Mary Knox (1859- ) 4 5
Marr: 20 May 1879 7
2 F Minnie Wilson 4
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Spouse: Joshua Wilson Greenland ( - ) 8
3 M Judge Harry R. Wilson 3
Born: 3 Sep 1864 - Clarion, Clarion Co, PA 4
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Spouse: Harriet Davie Critchlow ( - ) 4
Marr: 24 Oct 1894 - Elnora, Saratoga Co, NY 1
4 F Elizabeth Wilson 3 9
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Spouse: John Charles Graham (1868-1950) 9 10
Marr: 3 Jul 1913 - Clarion, Clarion Co, PA 3 9
5 M Judge Theophilus Lowry Wilson 4 11
AKA: Judge Theodore Wilson 3
Born: 7 Apr 1875 - Clarion, Clarion Co, PA 4 11
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General Notes: Husband - Hon. Theophilus Strattan Wilson
He was educated in the public schools, under private tutors, at Brookville Academy, and at Allegheny College. In 1854 his father gave his chief clerk leave of absence for one year and appointed Theophilus S. to fill that position. So well did he conduct the affairs of that office that at the end of the year he was placed in charge of the store at Helen Furnace, and later was made manager of the entire plant at that place. In 1860, pig iron manufacturing became unprofitable, and Mr. Wilson Sr. withdrew from that line of business. The young man then decided to have a profession, and chose the law. In 1860 he entered the law office of George W. Lathy as a student, and in September, 1861, was admitted to the Clarion county bar. After practicing a year he was appointed paymaster's clerk under John Keatly, of Strattanville, a special paymaster for the United States volunteer troops. Mr. Keatly and Mr. Wilson, obliged to follow the army, were for a time in Kentucky, then in Washington, D. C., later in Maryland and Virginia, being in the Shenandoah Valley when the Union forces under General Milroy were attacked by the Confederates under General Lee and obliged to fight their way out, suffering severe losses. Though closely pursued, the paymaster and his clerk escaped with $300,000 of money in their possession, which they carried later by special train to Washington. They were assigned to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where they disbursed to the soldiers and contractors $12,000,000 without an error in their accounts.
In 1866 Mr. Wilson returned to Clarion and resumed the practice of law. He practiced law alone very successfully until 1872, when his large practice compelled him to take in others. In the year mentioned he formed a partnership with George A. Jenks, later admitting John W. Reed. The firm of Wilson, Jenks & Reed stood at the head of the bar of western Pennsylvania until it was dissolved by the elevation of Mr. Wilson to the bench. Mr. Wilson had all the traits of character that go to make a great lawyer; his was a judicial mind; he was loyal to his clients, with a private character above reproach. His practice extended over a large area and often carried him into the federal courts of Pittsburgh. At one time he was attorney for seven of the eight banks in Clarion County. He practiced in all courts of the district, was learned in the law, skillful in its application, and uniformly successful in his important cases.
During this period of his career he acquired large business interests, owned 5,000 acres of pine timber land, boats engaged in the transportation of coal to Ohio and Mississippi river points as far south as New Orleans, had oil interests, and employed many men with whom his relations were most friendly. He was broad-minded and very quick to respond to any call of distress. When a neighboring town was nearly destroyed by fire he quickly sent aid in the shape of fifty barrels of flour for those without food. He was a strong Republican and for twenty-five years controlled the state and federal patronage. Being in a Democratic district he could not be elected to office, but usually represented the county in state and national conventions, or sent his friends. He was very popular at the bar and in business life, and when in 1879 the legislature passed an act creating Clarion county a special judicial district, Republican and Democratic members of the bar alike petitioned the Governor to appoint Mr. Wilson, president judge. The bill, however, was vetoed by Mr. Hoyt, and of course no appointment made. The unanimous endorsement of his brethren of the bar was a gracious compliment very grateful to Mr. Wilson and one never forgotten.
In 1881, however, Clarion County reached the required 40,000 inhabitants, and under the constitution of the state could demand being created a separate judicial district. The 18th judicial district was created, composed of Clarion and Jefferson counties, the latter not then having reached the required population. The district was strongly Democratic, and although Mr. Wilson received the Republican nomination for president judge, he later withdrew from the contest and James B. Knox was elected, serving until his death in December, 1884. A Democratic successor was appointed by Governor Pattison, who filled out the term expiring in 1885. Mr. Wilson again received the nomination for president judge from his party, and was pitted against a strong Democratic candidate. The campaign was one of excessive warmth, both parties putting forth every effort and bringing into the field speakers of national importance. In the election Mr. Wilson was elected by 400 majority in a district normally Democratic by 1,800 majority. As a jurist Judge Wilson excelled. His eminent fairness gained him the respect and confidence of the bar, while his judicial decisions, carefully formed, were models of clearness and justice, displaying a profound knowledge of the law. He was rarely reversed, and comparatively few exceptions were taken to his decisions. He added dignity to the court proceedings, and none ever questioned his judicial integrity or honor. He gave to every man his due, and knew neither friend or foe in the discharge of his duty. He died “in the harness,” while holding court for Judge White at Indiana, Pennsylvania (see “Bench and Bar of Pennsylvania”).