James Harrison Wilson
Born: September 2, 1837
Birthplace: Shawneetown, Illinois
Father: Harrison Wilson 1789 – 1852
(Buried: Westwood Cemetery, Shawneetown, Illinois)
Mother: Kathrine Wilson 1803 – 1877
(Buried: Westwood Cemetery, Shawneetown, Illinois)
Wife: Ella Andrew 1846 – 1900
(Buried: Old Swedes Cemetery, Wilmington, Delaware)
Children:
Mary Wilson Thompson 1867 – 1947
(Buried: Lower Brandywine Presbyterian, Owls Nest, Delaware)
Katherine Wilson 1870 – 1918
(Buried: Old Swedes Cemetery, Wilmington, Delaware)
Education:
Attended McKendree College
1860: Graduated from West Point Military Academy - (6th in class)
Occupation before War:
1860 – 1861: Brevet 2nd Lt. In United States Topographical Engineers
1860 – 1861: Assistant Topographical Engineer in Oregon Department
1861: 2nd Lt. In United States Army, Topographical Engineers
Civil War Career:
1861 – 1863: 1st Lt. In United States Army, Topographical Engineers
1861 – 1862: Chief Topographical Engineer, Port Royal Expedition
1862: Chief Topographical Engineer for U.S. Army, Dept. of South
1862: Participated in the Siege of Fort Pulaski, Savannah, Georgia
1862: Aide to Major General George B. McClellan in Maryland
1862 – 1863: Chief Topographical Engineer, Army of the Tennessee
1862 – 1863: Lt. Colonel in United States Army, Volunteers
1863: Assistant Engineer, & Inspector General in Vicksburg, Mississippi
1863 – 1865: Brigadier General of United States Army, Volunteers
1865 – 1866: Major General of United States Army, Volunteers
1865 - In Georgia, cavalrymen under Wilson's command captured Confederate President Jefferson Davis, and Captain Henry Wirz, the commandant of Andersonville
1866: Mustered out of the Volunteer Army on January 8th
Occupation after War:
1866 – 1869: Lt. Colonel of United States Army, 35th Infantry Regiment
1866 – 1870: Superintendent Engineer of Survey of Rock & Illinois River
1870: On Leave of absence from the Army
1870: Resigned from United States Army, December 31st
1870 – 1876: Vice President, St. Louis & Southeastern Railroad Company
1876 – 1878: Receiver & General Manager, St. Louis & Southeastern Railroad Company
1876: Chief Engineer of the Gilbert Elevated Railroad
1878 – 1880: Vice President & General Manager, New York & New England Railroad
1880 – 1883: President of New York & New England Railroad
1870 – 1890: Author and Writer
1898 - Returned to the Army as a Brigadier General, when the U.S. declared war on Spain, commanding a brigade of volunteers in Cuba and Puerto Rico
1901 - Commanded a brigade of volunteers in China during the Boxer Rebellion
1901 - Retired from military life.
1902 - Represented the United States in London for the coronation of Edward VII in President Roosevelt's stead
Died: February 23, 1925
Place of Death: Wilmington, Delaware
Age at time of Death: 87 years old
Cause of Death: Dilatation of the heart
Burial Place: Old Swedes Churchyard Cemetery, Wilmington, Delaware
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