Joseph G. Wilson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromOregon'sAt-large district | |
| In office March 4, 1873 – July 2, 1873 | |
| Preceded by | James H. Slater |
| Succeeded by | James W. Nesmith |
| 15th Justice of theOregon Supreme Court | |
| In office 1862–1870 | |
| Appointed by | A. C. Gibbs |
| Preceded by | new position |
| Succeeded by | Benoni Whitten |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Joseph Gardner Wilson December 13, 1826 |
| Died | July 2, 1873(1873-07-02) (aged 46) |
| Resting place | The Dalles, Oregon, at Pioneer Cemetery |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Elizabeth M. Wilson |
Joseph Gardner Wilson (December 13, 1826 – July 2, 1873) was aU.S.Republicanpolitician in the state ofOregon. A native ofNew Hampshire, he served as a state circuit court judge and as a justice of theOregon Supreme Court, and was elected to theUnited States House of Representatives. Wilson died shortly after assuming office in the House.
Joseph Wilson was born inAcworth, New Hampshire on December 13, 1826.[1] His family moved toCincinnati inHamilton County,Ohio in 1828 and then on to a farm nearReading where Joseph attended the local schools.[2] In 1840, he left the public schools and enrolled at Cary's Academy where he studied until 1842.[2] In 1846, he graduated fromMarietta College inMarietta, Ohio.[1] Wilson was then employed as a teacher at Farmer's College in 1849, and then studied law atCincinnati Law School.[1][2] He graduated with his law degree in 1852 and passed thebar.[1]
In 1852, Joseph Wilson traveled theOregon Trail and immigrated to theOregon Territory.[1] After arriving, he was appointed as clerk to theOregon Supreme Court, serving until 1855.[1] Wilson married Elizabeth Millar Wilson in 1854, and they had four children together.[1] Also that year he began working for the Willamette Woolen Company as their first secretary.[2] In 1860, he was selected to be thedistrict attorney for Oregon's third judicial district (Marion County), serving until 1862.[1]
On October 17, 1862, he was appointed by Oregon GovernorA. C. Gibbs to the Oregon Supreme Court to a newly created position when a fifth seat was added to the court.[3][4] At that time the justices also rode circuit as trial judges, with Wilson holding court inThe Dalles.[1] Wilson won election to a full six-year term on the court in 1864, before resigning from the court in May 1870.[4]
He ran for Congress in 1870, but did not win the seat.[2] Wilson was elected as a Republican to theUnited States House of Representatives fromOregon in 1872 and served from March 4, 1873, until his death in Marietta, Ohio, on July 2, 1873, at the age of 46.[2]
He died while moving toWashington, DC, to assume office, just before he was scheduled to give a speech at hisalma mater, Marietta College.[1] Joseph Gardner Wilson was buried inThe Dalles, Oregon, at Pioneer Cemetery.[2] His cousinJames W. Nesmith filled the vacancy in the House.[2]
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| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromOregon's 1st congressional district March 4, 1873–July 2, 1873 | Succeeded by |
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