Joseph G. Wilson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Gardner Wilson
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon's At-large district |
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| In office March 4, 1873 – July 2, 1873 |
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| Preceded by | James H. Slater |
| Succeeded by | James W. Nesmith |
| 15th Associate Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court | |
| In office 1862–1870 |
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| Appointed by | A. C. Gibbs |
| Preceded by | new position |
| Succeeded by | Benoni Whitten |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 13, 1826 Acworth, New Hampshire |
| Died | July 2, 1873 (aged 46) Marietta, Ohio |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Elizabeth M. Wilson |
Joseph Gardner Wilson (born December 13, 1826 – died July 2, 1873) was an American politician from the Republican Party. He was born in New Hampshire. Wilson became a judge in Oregon and was even a justice on the state's highest court, the Oregon Supreme Court. He was also chosen to be a member of the United States House of Representatives, but sadly, he passed away before he could start that job.
Joseph Wilson's Early Life
Joseph Wilson was born in Acworth, New Hampshire, on December 13, 1826. When he was two years old, his family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. They later moved to a farm near Reading. Joseph went to local schools there.
In 1840, he started studying at Cary's Academy. He graduated from Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio, in 1846. Later, in 1849, Wilson worked as a teacher. He then studied law at Cincinnati Law School. He earned his law degree in 1852 and became a lawyer.
Life and Work in Oregon
In 1852, Joseph Wilson traveled the Oregon Trail to the Oregon Territory. After arriving, he became a clerk for the Oregon Supreme Court. He held this job until 1855. In 1854, Wilson married Elizabeth Millar Wilson. They had four children together.
In 1860, he became the district attorney for Marion County, Oregon. He served in this role until 1862.
On October 17, 1862, Oregon Governor A. C. Gibbs appointed Wilson to the Oregon Supreme Court. This was a new position, as a fifth judge was added to the court. At that time, these judges also worked as trial judges. Wilson held court in places like The Dalles. He won an election in 1864 to serve a full six-year term on the court. However, he resigned from the court in May 1870.
Elected to Congress and His Death
Joseph Wilson ran for Congress in 1870 but did not win. In 1872, he was elected as a Republican to the United States House of Representatives from Oregon. His term was set to begin on March 4, 1873.
Sadly, Joseph Wilson died on July 2, 1873, at the age of 46. He passed away in Marietta, Ohio, while he was moving to Washington, DC. He was going there to start his new job in Congress. He was also scheduled to give a speech at his old college, Marietta College. Joseph Gardner Wilson was buried in The Dalles, Oregon, at Pioneer Cemetery. His cousin, James W. Nesmith, took his place in the House of Representatives.
