Individual Details
John Russell WILSON M.D.
(7 SEP 1822 - 15 MAR 1873)
Events
| Birth | 7 SEP 1822 | Washington, Washington Co., PA | |||
| Marriage | 7 AUG 1849 | Claysville, Washington Co., PA - Charlotte Catherine WALKER |  | ||
| Death | 15 MAR 1873 | Washington, Washington Co., PA |  | |
Families
| Spouse | Charlotte Catherine WALKER (1827 - ) |
| Child | Mary Margaret WILSON (1850 - 1921) |
| Child | Thomas D. Mutter "Moot" WILSON (1852 - 1927) |
| Child | Etta/Ella Walker WILSON (1854 - 1929) |
| Child | John Russell WILSON (1856 - 1905) |
| Child | Darlie/Darley A. L. WILSON (1859 - 1885) |
| Child | Catherine Charlotta "Bird" WILSON (1863 - 1940) |
| Child | Fannie Brownson WILSON (1865 - 1951) |
| Child | Harriet Benford WILSON (1867 - 1933) |
| Child | Edgar Wood WILSON (1869 - 1885) |
| Father | John WILSON ( - ) |
| Mother | Mary ORR ( - ) |
| Sibling | James Orr WILSON (1813 - ) |
Notes
Death
Notes for JOHN RUSSELL WILSON:
Taken from his obituary;
John Russell WILSON, M.D., of Washington, Pennsylvania, departed this life at his family residence, on Saturday morning, March 15th, 1873, in the fifty-first year of his age. He was born in Washington, September 7th,1822. His parents, John and Mary WILSON, spent most of their married life in the same community, and died, the latter in 1849 and the former in 1852, leaving behind them the precious treasure of "a good name," in the absence of this world's wealth. In the person of the subject of this notice, the last child of these godly parents has followed them to the grave.
Dr. WILSON was graduated in Washington College as a member of the class of 1842. He afterwards entered upon a course of study preparatory to the practice of medicine under the instruction of Dr. J. P. Lane. After spending one winter at Philadelphia, in attendance upon the lectures of Jefferson Medical College, he practiced several years in connection with his preceptor that he might secure the means of completing his studies and establishing himself in business. He was united in marriage with
Miss Charlotte C. WALKER of Claysville, Pa., on August 7th, 1849. Then returning to Philadelphia he passed through his second course of lectures and received the degree of M.D. in the spring of 1850.
The wish of his aged father, together with the urgency of many admiring friends who promised him their patronage and assured him of success, led him to forego his purpose of settling in the west, and to open an office in his native town. The wisdom of this course has been more than vindicated by the result. A fair practice opened to him at once, which continued to increase during his whole career of twenty-three years as a practitioner. By common consent, alike of the community and his professional brethren, he rose to the front rank of physicians in this entire region. His own practice was always up to the full measure of his strength, and often beyond it. He was also very largely called in consultation with other physicians, to visit their patients in difficult cases. And, now that he has been called away, there is general and deep lamentation over the loss which the whole community has sustained in his removal.
Dr. WILSON possessed the best qualities of a physician in a very high degree. He had a vigorous mind and keen analytical power. Having carefully laid the groundwork of his profession as a student, he kept up the habit of reading to the last, supplying himself with the latest and best medical publications. He entered upon his cases with ardor, and made any peculiarities in them the subjects of especial investigation. He was particularly careful and accurate in diagnosis, as well as clear in stating his conclusions, and fearless in carrying them out. At the same time few excelled him in proper sympathy and tenderness in the chamber of sickness. It is not strange, therefore, that the families of his practice regarded him with peculiar confidence and attachment, and now regard their own loss in his death as almost irreparable. Many and anxious were the inquiries on all hands concerning his condition during the weary weeks of his sickness; and fervent, also, were the prayers for his recovery, as well as for his spiritual welfare, from many secret and family altars. His brother physicians were assiduous in their attentions at his bedside, and when his eyes were closed, they bore him with affectionate regard to his burial. He was an active and leading member of the Washington County Medical Society.
In all the relations of a citizen, the deceased commanded respect. He was upright, kind and generous. He was an ardent friend of education, earnestly discharging his duty as a school director, at the call of the people, and ready with his purse and influence to advance the interests of the college, his beloved Alma Mater. Public improvements, also, calculated to benefit the community, were sure of his co-operation. Any approved call of benevolence touched his heart and called forth his cheerful liberality. The church at home and the cause of missions shared his generous support. The worthy poor, also, were wont to bless him for unrequited service, and often for the very supplies of their need.
Dr. WILSON, though dedicated in infancy as a child of the covenant, was not by his own act a professor of religion. His neglect of duty arose neither from skeptical doubts, nor from a want of respect for sacred things, or for those who consistently practised them. During his sickness, and, it is believed, for some time before, his mind was turned to the subject of salvation. His regrets for past remissness, his longings for a conscious interest in Christ, and his earnest prayers for divine mercy, joined with the hope that he had found the pence of the cross, were uttered with frequency and earnestness. He hailed with delight both religious conversation and prayer in his chamber, and would often call for singing of sweet gospel hymns, such as "Loving Kindness", "Rock of Ages", "Jesus, Lover of my Soul", and etc., which had been impressed upon his memory from childhood. While his breath was passing away he repeated the Lord's Prayer. His last word was, "Jesus". With united hearts we carried him upon the arms of our faith and laid him down at the Saviour's feet, confident of his almighty love amidst the very tokens of human weakness.
Death has in the instance fallen upon a large and dependent family. A bereaved wife and nine fatherless children look in sadness upon the vacant place of a fond husband and indulgent parent. They will cherish his memory with pride, now that they may look upon his face no more. The uncommonly large procession of neighbors and friends who followed his body to its resting place, and the unwonted expressions of feeling written upon their countenances, were the best earthly tribute to his memory, and pledge of sympathy with his stricken family. But better than all besides, are the compassion of a Father in heaven, and the love of "a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother."
Endnotes
1. Jane Bozarth, Email
2. Jane Bozarth, Email