WILSON, William C. (Col - CW)
(Col) WILLIAM C. WILSON
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Friday, 25 September 1891
Note: I've found several of the Civil War soldiers as I am switching over this site to a new program that are not noted with a source - I'm soooo sorry. I'm such a stickler for sources so 95% sure I did not do these but at any rate, the source is not there but the information is good so hopefully you could glean something from this, find the source or something similar and be fine :( SORRY
Col. William C. Wilson, of Lafayette, Indiana, another son, graduated from Wabash College in 1847. He afterwards became a distinguished lawyer and fine advocate, whose reputation extended throughout the state of Indiana. Colonel Wilson was deeply versed in the civil and criminal law. He rarely lost a case, such as his keen perception and acute mind in grasping the material point in a case. Colonel Wilson was not only a fine lawyer, but also a soldier. On April 17, 1861, two days after Lincoln's first call for troops to put down the rebellion, Mr. Wilson hastened to volunteer as a private soldier in the Union army. Afterwards he was mustered into the service as captain of Company D, Tenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. While in Indianapolis he was appointed major of the regiment. The regiment was ordered to West Virginia under General Roscrans. Colonel Wilson participated in the battle of Rich Mountain and was wounded in that engagement. He was mustered out with his regiment in August 1861. In the same month Colonel Wilson recruited the Fortieth Regiment, and in September became its colonel. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland under General Thomas. In 1862 Colonel Wilson resigned on account of ill health, after a career that was very meritorious in every respect. At the time of General Morgan's raid into Indiana, Colonel Wilson raised the One Hundred and Eighth Regiment in a period of twenty-four hours, and became its colonel during the period of its enlistment. It was the desire of the regiment and other troops to capture this bold Southern leader. On May 24, 1864, Colonel Wilson was appointed colonel of the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to the Twenty-third Corps of General Sherman's army in the Atlanta campaign. The regiment afterwards was among a detachment sent back to Nashville in pursuit of General Hood. Colonel Wilson was honorably mustered out of the service at the close of the, receiving a commission from President Lincoln for his honorable, meritorious, and patriotic services rendered in defense of the Union cause. Colonel Wilson died at Lafayette, Indiana, in 1891.
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Saturday, 26 September 1891
Col. W. C. Wilson, whose death occurred at Lafayette yesterday, was almost as well known in this city and county as he was in Tippecanoe. He was born in this city 64 years ago, in a house which stood on the lot now occupied by the residence of Isaac Davis and later lived for years on the corner now owned by Mrs. Dr. Wilhite. So many thousands of acquaintances has he in this community that we reproduce the following sketch of his life and character from the Lafayette Courier and Call:
Col. W. C. Wilson was born in Montgomery County on Nov. 22, 1827, a son of John and Margaret (Cochran) Wilson. His father had located in that county in 1822, and the following year was elected its first clerk, which position he filled continuously for a period of sixteen or seventeen years. He was one of the commissioners appointed by the legislature to locate the county seat of Tippecanoe County and helped lay out the city of Lafayette. W. C. Wilson was reared in Crawfordsville, educated in the private schools, and also attended Wabash College, from which he graduated in 1847. Two years later, having completed the course of law in the Law Department of the Indiana State University, he received the degree of Master of Arts. He was admitted to the bar in 1843, to practice law in the First Circuit of Indiana, and in June of the same year to the Supreme Court, in 1876 he attained the coveted honor of admission to the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States. In 1849 he was appointed prosecuting attorney of Crawfordsville, and in the following year he came to Lafayette, began the practice of law with Maj. Daniel Mace, which partnership existed until the election of the latter to Congress in 1852. Mr. Wilson then practiced alone until 1854, when he formed a partnership with George Garton, which continued until 1859, when he again practiced alone until 1871. He then associated himself with J. H. Adams, with whom he practiced for fifteen years, since which time he has been without a partner.
He was married in 1853 to Sarah F. Bonnell, who lives to mourn the loss of a noble and faithful husband. He volunteered as a private soldier April 17, 1861, and four days later was mustered into service as Captain of Company D, Tenth Indiana Infantry. While at Indianapolis, he was appointed Major of the regiment which served in West Virginia in the Indiana and Ohio brigade, commanded by Gen. Rosencrans, and was wounded in the Battle of Rich Mountain. He was mustered out with his regiment in Aug. 1861. He was then commissioned Colonel of the 40th Indiana Infantry, which he recruited and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, Sixth Division, 14th Corps, under command of Gen. Thomas. Owing to ill health, Col. Wilson resigned his position as Colonel of the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Indiana Infantry, and was assigned to the Twenty-third Corps of Sherman’s Army in the Atlanta campaign, and was among those who were sent back to Nashville in pursuit of Hood. He was mustered out of the service at Indianapolis in September, 1864, when he returned to Lafayette to resume his law practice. His military record consists of a series of honorable promotions and the occupation of various places of honor and responsibility. His valuable service was recognized in his appointment to the office of Assessor of Internal Revenue for the Eighth District of Indiana, in which office he served during the year 1866. He was appointed postmaster of Lafayette and served from 1867-1869, and was also an active and valuable member of the city council for a time. He was selected by the soldiers of Tippecanoe County to command their regiment of the occasion of the soldiers’ reunion at Indianapolis on the 15th of Oct. 1873, and received for them the prize banner awarded upon that occasion by his life long friend, Gov. Morton. He was chosen by the society of the army of the Cumberland to deliver the annual address before that body on the 7th of July, 1876, and at the Grand Opera House in Philadelphia, which was received with high encomiums from the press throughout the country. He was a member of the Loyal Legion, Ohio commandery, and one of the organizers of John A. _ogan Post, No. 3, in this city. He was closely identified with the Republican Party, but did not devote much time at party interests, extensive professional relations requiring his entire attention.
Colonel “Billy” Wilson, as he was generally and familiarly called, was one of the most adroit lawyers and strongest jury lawyers of the bar of the State, and so admitted to be, even after the ravages of catarrh had impaired his oratorical powers. He was fitted by nature to adorn both public and private life, as he did: but also to reap abundantly of political honors. But nature had made him fiery, impetuous, impulsive; and in the first flush of resentment or disappointment, he was prone to utter bitter words, which found no warrant or apology in the abiding sentiments of a really generous and knightly heart; but the words thus hastily spoken could not always be as lightly brushed away, and thus he came often to be misunderstood and was precipitated into strifes which barred the way to that political success for which he was in every other way so highly qualified, and which he so well deserved.
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Friday, 25 September 1891
Lafayette, Sept. 25—Col. Wm C. Wilson died at his home in this city this morning at 10 o’clock after an illness of several months, during which his death has been daily expected. Col. Wilson was one of the best known lawyers in Indiana, having been eminently successful during a long practice at the bar. He was associated with Anderson and Haywood in the prosecution of Pettit, doing much to work up the case. He was born in Crawfordsville and here was raised. He was a brother of the Hon. James Wilson, the great lawyer of Crawfordsville whose son, John L. Wilson, now represents Washington State in Congress. Col. Wilson, besides a brilliant records at the bar, has a war record equally brilliant. He commanded the 40th Indiana regiment during the early part of the war and afterward the 135th regiment. He has hosts of friends in this city who will be pained to learn of his death, which, however, comes to him rather as a relief.
Source: The Weekly Argus News 26 Sept 1891 p 1
Lafayette Courier – Col. WC Wilson, who has been seriously ill for some months at his room at the Lahr House has been lying in the last stages of his prolonged sickness for the last 48 hours and it was thought by the faithful watchers at his bedside that each breath would be the last but with remarkable vitality he continues to breath and as the Courier goes to press is still alive. He has been unconscious for several days and end may come at any time.
Source: The Weekly Argus News 3 Oct 1891 p 6
Since the Pettit trial Col. Billy Wilson, one of the Lafayette attorneys who was engaged in it has been in poor health. As he was a Crawfordsville boy, he was naturally watched with great interest by the people here all of whom, especially those who knew him years ago will be pained to hear of his death which occurred yesterday at his home in the Star City at 10:30 o’clock. Of him biographically the Courier says: Col. WC Wilson was born in Montgomery County Nov 22, 1827 a son of John and Margaret (Cochran) Wilson. His father had located in that county in 1822 and the following year was elected its first clerk which position he filled continuously for a period of 26 or 17 years. He was one of the commissioners appointed by the legislature to locate the county seat of Tippecanoe County and helped lay out the city of Lafayette. WC Wilson was reared in Crawfordsville, educated in the private schools and also attended Wabash College from which he graduated in 1847. Two years later, having completed the course of law in the Law Department of Indiana State University he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws and in 1873 his Alma Mater conferred on him the degree of Master of Arts. He was admitted to the bar in 1849 to practice law in the first circuit of Indiana and in June of the same year to the Supreme Court; in 1876 he attained the coveted honor of admission to the bar of the Supreme court of the US. In 1849 he was appointed prosecuting attorney of Crawfordsville and in the following year he came to Lafayette began the practice of law with Maj. Daniel Mace which partnership existed until the election of the latter to Congress in 1852.” Col. Wilson was a brother of James Wilson, the father of Harry and John Wilson who now reside in Washington, The funeral will occur tomorrow afternoon conducted by Rev. Dr. Kane.
