Samuel Wilkeson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Samuel Wilkeson
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| 5th Mayor of Buffalo, New York | |
| In office 1836–1837 |
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| Preceded by | Hiram Pratt |
| Succeeded by | Josiah Trowbridge |
| Member of the New York State Senate for the Eighth District | |
| In office January 1, 1825 – December 31, 1828 |
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| Preceded by | David Eason |
| Succeeded by | Moses Hayden |
| Member of the New York State Assembly for the Erie County | |
| In office January 1, 1824 – December 31, 1824 |
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| Preceded by | Ebenezer F. Norton |
| Succeeded by | Calvin Fillmore |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 1, 1781 Carlisle, Pennsylvania |
| Died | July 7, 1848 (aged 67) near Tellico Plains, Tennessee |
| Political party | People's Party, Clintonian |
| Spouses | Jane Oram Sarah St. John Mary Peters |
| Relations | Frank Wilkeson (grandson) |
| Children | 6 |
| Signature |  |
Samuel Wilkeson (born June 1, 1781 – died July 7, 1848) was an important person in early Buffalo, New York. He was a merchant, a politician, and even a judge. He also served as the mayor of Buffalo, New York.
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Samuel Wilkeson's Early Life
Samuel Wilkeson was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, on June 1, 1781. His parents, John and Mary Wilkeson, were farmers who had moved from Ireland.
After his father passed away around 1802, Samuel moved to Mahoning County, Ohio. There, he built a farm and the very first grist mill in that area. A grist mill is a place where grain is ground into flour.
Samuel Wilkeson's Career and Achievements
During the War of 1812, Samuel Wilkeson was asked to help the U.S. Army. He built a fleet of ships in Buffalo. He then moved his family to Buffalo and opened a general store.
In 1815, he became the village's first Justice of the Peace. This meant he helped keep order and settle small disputes. Later, he was chosen as a village trustee, helping to manage the town.
Building Buffalo's Harbor
Samuel Wilkeson was a key member of the Buffalo Harbor Company. This group worked to bring the end of the Erie Canal to Buffalo. The Erie Canal was a very important waterway that connected the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.
In the early 1820s, he led a big project to improve Buffalo's harbor. He made it deep enough and safe enough for large boats. This was very important for Buffalo to become a major trading city because of the canal.
He also became the First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in February 1821, serving until 1824. He also went into business with Ebenezer Johnson, who later became Buffalo's first mayor. They worked together in shipping and real estate. Samuel Wilkeson even owned the land where the Buffalo City Hall stands today! He also built the first steam boiler in Buffalo and ran factories in different parts of the city.
Samuel Wilkeson's Public Service
In 1823, Samuel Wilkeson was elected to the New York State Assembly. This is a part of the state government that makes laws. He served for one year, from 1824 to 1825.
In 1824, he was elected to the New York State Senate. He served until 1829, representing many counties in western New York.
In 1836, he was elected to be the mayor of Buffalo. During his time as mayor, he focused on making sure laws were followed. He also led the city during a difficult time when the whole country was facing a financial depression.
After his term as mayor, in 1838, he became an agent for the American Colonization Society. This group worked to help African-Americans move to Liberia in Africa.
Samuel Wilkeson's Family Life
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Around 1802, Samuel Wilkeson married Jane Oram. Her father had fought in the American Revolutionary War. Samuel and Jane later moved to Buffalo. Samuel built the Wilkeson Mansion in 1824. It was across from the home of his good friend, President Millard Fillmore.
Jane was the mother of all six of his children:
- Elizabeth Wilkeson, who married a doctor named Henry A. Stagg.
- John Wilkeson (1806–1894), who became a U.S. Consul in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
- Eli Reed Wilkeson (1809–1849), who was interested in the volunteer fire department.
- William Wilkeson (1811–1882), who ran an iron foundry in Buffalo.
- Louise Wilkeson (1811–1860), who married Mortimer Johnson. Their daughter, Flora Johnson, married the artist William Holbrook Beard.
- Samuel Wilkeson Jr. (1817–1889), who married Catherine Henry Cady. Her sister was Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a famous leader for women's rights.
After Jane passed away, Samuel married Sarah St. John of Buffalo. Later, after Sarah's death, he married Mary Peters from New Haven, Connecticut. Mary was a well-known educator for girls.
Samuel Wilkeson passed away on July 7, 1848. He was on his way to visit his daughter in Tellico Plains, Tennessee. His body was brought back to Buffalo and buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery. His old home was torn down in 1915. The Buffalo City Hall was later built on that same spot in 1932.
Samuel Wilkeson's Grandchildren
Samuel Wilkeson's son, Samuel Wilkeson Jr., was a newspaper editor. He worked for the New York Tribune and was a war reporter during the American Civil War. He later helped start the city of Tacoma, Washington.
It's interesting to note that all eight of Samuel Wilkeson's grandsons fought for the Union Army during the Civil War.
