Bluford Wilson
Bluford Wilson | |
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Solicitor of the United States Treasury | |
In office 1874–1876 | |
Preceded by | E. C. Banfield |
Succeeded by | George F. Talbot |
United States Attorney for theSouthern District of Illinois | |
In office 1869–1874 | |
Preceded by | John E. Rosette |
Succeeded by | John P. Van Dorston |
Personal details | |
Born | Shawneetown, Illinois,US | November 30, 1841
Died | July 15, 1924 Springfield, Illinois,US | (aged 82)
Resting place | Oak Ridge Cemetery,Springfield, Illinois |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Alice Warren Mather (m. 1865) |
Relations | James H. Wilson(Brother) |
Children | 5 (IncludingArthur H. Wilson) |
Education | McKendree College University of Michigan Law School |
Profession | Attorney |
Signature | ![]() |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States Union |
Branch/service | Union Army Illinois Militia |
Years of service | 1862-1865 (Army) 1898 (Militia) |
Rank | Major(Army) Colonel(Militia) |
Unit | 120th Illinois Volunteer Infantry(Army) |
Commands | Wilson's Provisional Regiment (Militia) |
Battles/wars | American Civil War Spanish–American War |
Bluford Wilson(November 30, 1841 – July 15, 1924) was aUnion Armyofficer in theCivil Warand a government official who served asSolicitor of the United States Treasury.
Early life
[edit]Bluford Wilson was born nearShawneetown, Illinoison November 30, 1841.[1]He studied atMcKendree Collegeand theUniversity of Michigan Law Schoolbefore enlisting for theAmerican Civil War.[2]
Military career
[edit]Wilson joined the120th Illinois Volunteer Infantry.He soon received an officer's commission and appointment as regimentaladjutant.He later served on several other staffs, including that of theXIII Corps,taking part in numerous battles and campaigns, includingChampion Hill,Black Riverand theSiege of Vicksburg,and theRed River Campaign.He was discharged with the rank ofmajorat the end of the war.[3]
For the rest of his life Wilson was active in theGrand Army of the Republicand theMilitary Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.[4][5]
Legal career
[edit]Wilson resumed studying law at the University of Michigan Law School, graduated in 1866, and was admitted to the bar in 1867.[6][7]
ARepublican,Wilson was appointedUnited States Attorneyfor theSouthern District of Illinoisin 1869.[8][9]
In 1874 Wilson received appointment as Solicitor of the Treasury, which he held until 1876.[10]
Wilson's rise through the ranks of federal appointed office were based in part on his family's relationship with PresidentUlysses S. Grant.Bluford Wilson's brotherMajor GeneralJames H. Wilsonserved on Grant's staff and as one of Grant's subordinate commanders during the Civil War.[11][12]
As Solicitor Wilson played a key role in exposing theWhiskey Ring.He conducted an investigation into the frauds, reported his findings to his superiors, and attempted through his brother James to warn President Grant. When Grant moved to protect members of his administration and prevent prosecutions, Wilson resigned.[13][14][15]
Later life
[edit]After leaving government service Wilson settled inSpringfield, Illinois,where he practiced law and became involved in the construction and management of severalrailroads.[16][17]
During theSpanish–American WarWilson offered his services; the governor authorized him to raise a regiment and he was commissioned aColonelin the Illinois militia, but the war ended before his regiment could see active service.[18]
Death and burial
[edit]Wilson died in Springfield on July 15, 1924.[19]He was buried atOak Ridge Cemeteryin Springfield.
Family
[edit]In 1865 Wilson married Alice Warren Mather ofLouisville, Kentucky,and they were the parents of five children. Harry died in infancy. Jessie was the wife of Phillip Barton Warren. Lucy was the wife of Ralph Vance Dickerman. Bluford died during his senior year atYale University.Arthurgraduated fromWest Pointin 1904, attained the rank of Colonel during a career that spanned the years 1904 to 1942, and received theMedal of Honorduring thePhilippine Insurrection.[20]
References
[edit]- ^U.S. Passport Applications, 1795–1925, entry for Bluford Wilson, dated August 27, 1890, accessed December 4, 201
- ^The Bench and Bar of Illinois,edited by John McAuley Palmer, Volume 1, 1899, pages 221 to 223
- ^American Biography: A New Cyclopedia,published by American Historical Company, Inc., New York City, Volume 25, 1926, pages 43 to 45
- ^Register of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States,published by the legion, 1906, page 246
- ^Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Sangamon County,published by Munsell Publishing Company, Chicago, Volume II, 1912, entry for Bluford Wilson
- ^General Register of the University of Michigan,published by the University, 1866, page 47
- ^The 1903 Michiganensian,published by the university, 1903, page 423
- ^Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States,published by U.S. Government Printing Office, Volume 17, 1901, page 195
- ^The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant,by Ulysses Simpson Grant, edited by John Y. Simon, Volume 25, 2003, page 365
- ^Register of the Department of Justice,published by the department, 1885, page 4
- ^The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant:April 1 – July 6, 1863,by Ulysses Simpson Grant, edited by John Y. Simon, 1979, page 543
- ^The Pioneer History of Illinois,1887, page 368
- ^The Class of 1861: Custer, Ames, and Their Classmates After West Point,by Ralph Kirshner and George A. Plimpton, 2008, page 134
- ^Magazine article, Downfall of the Whiskey Ring,Scribner's magazine, Volume 18, Number 3 (September, 1895), page 274
- ^Hamilton Fish: The Inner History of the Grant Administration,by Hamilton Fish, Volume 2, 1957, page 790
- ^Newspaper article, "Arrangements for Funeral of Major Bluford Wilson,"Freeport Journal-Standard,July 16, 1924
- ^Newspaper article, "Is Named Receiver,"Edwardsville Intelligencer,July 23, 1924
- ^Philo History: Chronicles and Biographies of the Philosophian Literary Society of Mckendree College,edited by Paul and Chester Farthing, 1911, pages 74 to 76
- ^Illinois Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916–1947, entry for Bluford Wilson, accessed December 4, 2011
- ^Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Sangamon CountyArchived2014-12-15 at theWayback Machine,published by Munsell Publishing Company, Chicago, Volume II, 1912, entry for Bluford Wilson
- 1841 births
- 1924 deaths
- Lawyers from Springfield, Illinois
- McKendree University alumni
- University of Michigan Law School alumni
- People of Illinois in the American Civil War
- United States Department of the Treasury officials
- Union Army officers
- Burials at Oak Ridge Cemetery
- People from Shawneetown, Illinois
- Illinois Republicans
- Anti-crime activists
- 19th-century American lawyers