"Portrait and Biographical Record of Hunterdon and Warren counties, New Jersey"
Chapman Publishing Company, New York and Chicago, 1898
___________________________________________________________________________________
HON. E. MILTON WILSON has been engaged in general merchandising in Blairstown for over twenty-two years and is considered one of the enterprising citizens of this
wide-awake town. He is always ready to give
his earnest support to the organization of new
industries, enterprises, or societies which have
for their objects the upbuilding and elevating of
this community or the public in general.
The birth of Mr. Wilson occurred in Hardwick
Township, Warren County, N. J., September 17,
1854. He is a son of Lemuel F. L. Wilson, who
was born in Hunterdon County, but who passed
the greater portion of his life in this county, a
portion of his attention being claimed by his farm
in Hardwick Township. He devoted much time
to the settling of estates and doing other legal
business for his neighbors. He was quite active
in Democratic party politics, and was known in
all sections of this and neighboring counties.
He served as township committeeman, assessor
and justice of the peace for many years. He was
a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church at
the time of his death, June 1, 1897, prior to
which he had long been a loved member of the
church. His life came to a close when he had
attained more than the allotted age of man, three-score and ten, as he was in his seventy-sixth
year. His father was Walter Wilson, a native of
Hunterdon County, whence he removed to Oxford and then to Blairstown Townships, arriving
here in 1837. He was a very active man, and
possessed a vigorous constitution. He lived to
the ripe age of ninety-two years, and for forty-five
years of that time did not know what it was to
be ill, even to a slight degree. The Wilsons
were very early settlers in Hunterdon County,
and were of English descent.
The mother of Mr. Wilson of this sketch was
Miss Mary A. Titman, she being a daughter of
George and Mary Titman. She is still living
and enjoys fair health for a person of her age, as
she is seventy-four years old. Her home is now
in Blairstown, and with her resides her daughter
Emma. Another daughter, Mary L., widow of F.
M. Smith, also lives in Blairstown. Cassie is the
wife of Alonzo Hill, of Hardwick. The aged
mother of these children is a devout member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The early life of our subject was passed on the
farm. His education was obtained in the district
schools and Blairstown Academy, and when he
was twenty-two years old he entered into partnership with F. M. Smith in a mercantile business
in Blairstown. They continued together for
three years, at the end of which time Mr. Wilson
bought out his partner's interest, since which
time he has conducted the business alone. He
keeps a well-selected stock of goods, varying
in quality and prices to meet the needs of the
people. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic
order, Blairstown Lodge No. 165, F. & A. M.,
and with the Odd Fellows he is a member of
Puritan Lodge of Blairstown, in which he has
passed all the chairs. He is past sachem of
Kittatinny Lodge No. 126, Improved Order of
Red Men of this place, and is connected with
Marksburg Council, Royal Arcanum. From
1892 to 1894 he was a member of the legislature of
New Jersey, having been elected on the Democratic ticket. He made a creditable showing
while representing the people, serving on several
important committees, and all classes were satisfied with him in every respect. During Cleveland's first term, from 1882 to 1886, he held the
postmastership of Blairstown. He has been quite
a leader in his party, as well as in business, fraternal, social and church circles. For over ten
years he has been president of the board of education, and has manifested great interest in the
subject of providing better facilities and advantages for the rising generation in this direction.
In 1879 Mr. Wilson married Celestia Rosenkrans, daughter of Avert Rosenkrans, of Wallpack, N. J. They have three children, Roscoe
M., Alice R. and Edith R. The family attend
the Presbyterian Church, Mrs. Wilson being a
member of the same. They have a pleasant
home and enjoy the friendship of a multitude of
old associates.
(c) 2000-2013 American History and Genealogy Project
|
