CHARLES E. WILSON

CHARLES E. WILSON, attorney and counsellor at law, San Francisco, has re-sided here for many years and as a lawyer has an excellent reputation, ---a fact sufficiently evidenced by the large practice he enjoys. He is a prominent man, indeed, in social and business circles, ---not that he has ever desired this, but it has come naturally, as a result of his professional work. He was born at Bradford, Maine, and comes from an old established American family. The records show that his English ancestor, Roger Wilson, of Nottinghamshire, was a prominent cotton manufacturer. He with others, belonged to the Dissenters, and in consequence, had to flee from the persecution which was then relentless against them (1608). He went to Leyden, Scotland, and afterward returned to England and joined the stock company that fitted out the Mayflower for America. He did not embark with the pilgrims, his interests keeping him in England. His youngest son, Lieutenant John Wilson, came in 1651 to this country, however, and settled at Woburn, Massachusetts. That gentleman had a large family, some eighteen children, being twice married. His grandson Joseph, moved to Thomaston, Maine, in 1794, and in 1806 to the plantation of Blakesburg, now the town of Bradford, Penobscot county, being the second settler there. His son Miles, the father of Charles E., succeeded him. He is still alive and mentally and physically vigorous, at the ripe old age of ninety-one years. Miles Wilson held active place in the State. Never a politician, his opinions nevertheless carried weight. For a number of years he was an officer in the State militia, having been commissioned in 1828 Lieutenant by Governor Enoch Lincoln. He also served in the Legislature of his native home. In 1850 he came to California, mined in Calavaras county, and in about two years returned home.

Mr. Charles E. Wilson, our subject, was brought up to farm work, thus learning such habits of industry as well fitted him for the duties of life, and at the same time he received a good academic education. He also engaged in teaching, with the intention of attending college, but the civil war broke out, and he joined the Second Maine Cavalry, in 1862, and served until he was mustered out in December, 1865. Enlisting as a private, he was promoted through several positions to that of First Lieutenant. His regiment took part in the Red River expedition, and was present at the capture of Mobile. It was incorporated in the Department of the Gulf, and although not present at any of the great battles, it certainly experienced all the toil and peril of war, for it was in innumerable smaller actions and skirmishes with the enemy.

Following the war he began the study of law in the offices of Peters & Wilson, at Bangor, and two years and a half afterward he was admitted to practice by the Supreme Court of Maine. He then came to this State. Then, in July, 1868, he came to California, since which time he has been constantly engaged in his chosen profession, building up and maintaining an excellent practice. He has had many important cases, in real estate, lumber interests, etc., his practice being civil. He is counsel for such wealthy corporations as the Fort Bragg Lumber Company, the Cotton-Eva Lumber Company, the Noyo Lumber Company, the Usal Redwood Lumber Company, a Grand Rapids Michigan, company, operating on this coast, etc. If he has any specialty, it is of the above character, judging from the importance of the cases he has handled in this connection. He has, however, an extensive general civil practice. He is one of the best informed men in the city on almost every topic. Although genial and affable in manner, he belongs to but few clubs. Of course he is a member of the Bar Association. He has always taken an active part in the G. A. R. and is now Past Commander of George H. Thomas Post. He attended the encampments at Portland, Maine, in 1885, at Milwaukee in 1887, and at Boston in 1889. He is also a member of the A. O. U. W., and K. of H. He[sic] has never taken an active part in politics.

Transcribed by Walt Howe.

Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 2, pages 36-37, Lewis Publishing Co., 1892.

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