Santa
Clara County
Biographies
WILLIAM
WILSON
WILLIAM WILSON. In the serene and happy old age of William
Wilson is found a lesson in moderation, optimism, and intelligent living. Probably no other settler in Santa Clara county, counting so many mileposts of life, looks forward so
confidently to still further enjoyment, comfort, and peace. This traveler on a long journey, scanning the
horizon with clear eyes and undimmed brain, enjoys the inestimable boon of
being a joy to those around him, and of being unafflicted
with the drawbacks often associated with the approach of later life. He is a pioneer of California, having come
here in 1868, but during his thirty-six years on the coast has lived in
retirement, for he had already rounded out a business career, and was entitled
to the rest of hand and eye and brain vouchsafed the fortunate ones permitted
to bask without labor under the clear skies of California. He was fifty-eight years old when he came to
Gilroy to make his future home with his son-in-law, having been born in
Marlboro, Middlesex county, Mass., October 13,
1810. His infant steps were guided by a
New England mother who reared five sons and six daughters, of whom he was the
sixth, and his education was such as came the way of the farmer lad upon whom rested a heavy share of the home work. His father, William, was born in Cambridge,
Mass., and his mother, Elizabeth (Rand) Wilson, was born in New Hampshire. William Wilson owned and operated a small
farm near Marlboro, achieving fair success, but never stepping out of the
narrow groove in which circumstances had placed him in his youth.
When eighteen years old William Wilson,
Jr., tiring of farm work, and longing for quicker returns for his labor,
apprenticed to a wheelwright and carriage maker, thereafter following his trade
in Marlboro, one of the old manufacturing towns of Massachusetts. He had a predilection for public affairs in
the early days, and as a Free Soiler and Whig took an
active part in politics, filling, among other offices, that of township assessor
for seven years, and was chairman of the board of selectmen of Marlboro. As relief from continuous application of his
trade he became agent for a large estate in Marlboro, managing the same for a
number of years. In Marlboro he
established a home of his own, marrying Martha, daughter of
S. R. Phelps, a native of Marlboro, and one of its most successful
carriage manufacturers. It was while
serving his apprenticeship under Mr. Phelps that Mr. Wilson met his
future wife, who in all ways realized his expectations of noble and sympathetic
womanhood, and bravely shouldered whatever of responsibility came her way, both
in the east and west. Mrs. Wilson
died in Gilroy November 18, 1893, having reared a family of five children. Of these, Charles Freeman lives in Gilroy;
Sarah is the wife of Winslow M. Warren, of Marlboro, Mass.; Emily Susan
lives at home; Lavinia Adams is the wife of Marshall E. Hunter, of New
York City; and Winslow is deceased.
Mr. Wilson has a pleasant home at 238 Fifth street,
Gilroy. For many years he was a member
of the Congregational Church, toward the support of which he has contributed
generously. The Whig, Free Soil and
Republican parties have claimed his allegiance, and at all
times his preference has been given after a thorough understanding of
the political situation, and sympathy with the broad and tolerant principles of
good government and humanity. He is a
kindly, genial man, a stanch[sic] believer in the
underlying good of humanity, and the sincerity and loyalty of his friends and
associates.
Transcribed by Donna Toole.
ญญญญSource: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 853-854. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
ฉ 2015 Donna Toole.