J. N. E. Wilson

J. N. E. Wilson, a prominent lawyer of San Francisco, was born in this city, December 4, 1856, the son of Joseph L. and Caroline (Horner) Wilson, natives of Ohio, whose ancestors were all pioneers of that State and Massachusetts.  When the gold discoveries in California were attracting the attention of the whole world, the father determined to come to the Pacific coast, leaving his native State in 1859.  After reaching here he remained a few months, and, believing this to be a goodly land, he returned to his native State for his family.  They came again to this State the following year, 1850, and engaged in contracting and building, in which he was successfully engaged for many years, and was known as one of the most prominent contractors on the coast.

     The subject of this sketch attended school during boyhood, and after graduating at the primary and high school entered the State University and graduated in the class of 1876.  He read law in the office of E. B. Mastick, one of the oldest and most prominent members of the San Francisco bar, and was admitted to practice in the courts in 1878.  He was elected Prosecuting Attorney of the police court in 1881, and held that position three years.  In 1885 he received the nomination and was elected District Attorney, which position he held two years, and in the fall of 1886 received the Republican nomination and was elected to the State Senate, but resigned this position in 1890.  In 1889, during the session of the Senate, he was appointed Insurance Commissioner by Governor Waterman for four years, taking charge of the office in April, 1890.  Mr. Wilson confines himself to a general civil practice, and has won an enviable reputation in the profession.  He is prominently identified with the State National Guards, in which he now holds the position of Judge Advocate on the staff of Commander General Dickinson, and also of the order of Native Sons, being a member of Pacific Parlor.  He is prominent in fraternal societies and organizations, being a member of the Masonic blue lodge, chapter, commandery and shrine, Past Grand Representative of the I. O. O. F. at Baltimore and Boston, and at the last session of the Grand Lodge was elected Grand Master.

 

Transcribed 8-29-2004   Marilyn R. Pankey