BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.


Page 614.


HARRY G. WILSON, the popular and efficient superintendent of the Bellaire
Water works, and a prominent citizen, was born in 1849 in Belmont county,
Ohio. His parents were John and Sarah (Pryor) Wilson, both of Maryland.
John was the son of William Wilson, who came from England to this country
at a very early date, locating near Baltimore, Md., and afterward coming
to Belmont county, where he was engaged in farming until his death in
1855. John migrated to Ohio with his parents, and after obtaining some
schooling he turned his attention to tilling the soil, and followed this
occupation up to the time of his demise in 1854, meeting his death while
returning home from the mill, by a tree falling upon him. The mother died 
in 1865, had eleven children, nine of them still surviving their parents.
Four of the sons were soldiers in the Union army during the war of the
rebellion, and they brought much credit to the family name, fighting
valiantly and with distinction. Harry Wilson was educated in the Belmont
county schools, and then worked in a photograph gallery for some time.
Having acquired the mysteries of this art he went to Missouri, when but
eighteen years of age, engaging in photography there. Returning to Belmont
county, Mr. Wilson entered the employ of George D. Callan, as a clerk in
his grocery store. He remained in the latter situation for two years, and
he then became a clerk for A. Richardson, and afterward worked for Long
& Swayer as book-keeper. In 1873 he was elected secretary of the city water
works, and still holds that position, also that of superintendent. Mr.
Wilson married Mary J. Coulter, of Belmont county, in 1869. Mr. and Mrs.
Wilson are earnest members of the Presbyterian church. His political faith
is founded upon the principles of the democratic party. Although Superin-
tendent Wilson came to Bellaire a poor, unknown lad, yet, by strict
integrity and faithfulness to whatever has been intrusted to him, he has
risen to be the incumbent of one of the most important and honorable offices
in the gift of the city, and commands the respect and esteem of the
community at large.