James Charles Wilson

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For other persons named James Wilson, see James Wilson (disambiguation).

James Charles Wilson (24 August 1816–7 February 1861) was an early settler of Texas and later a state legislator.

Wilson was born in Yorkshire, England on August 24, 1816. He emigrated to the Republic of Texas in 1837.

In 1842 he joined Charles K. Reese in the ill-fated Somervell Expedition. Captured while serving with the company, he managed to escape on 30 July 1843.

He lived in Brazoria, Texas where he became district clerk before representing Calhoun, Jackson, Matagorda, and Wharton counties in the House of Representatives of the Third and Fourth Legislatures from 1848 to 1853. In 1856 he became commissioner of the Court of Claims.

In addition to his legal career, Wilson also served as a Methodist minister.

He died in Gonzales on 7 February 1861. Wilson was originally buried in Askey Cemetery near Gonzales but later was moved to the Texas State Cemetery in Austin (http://www.cemetery.state.tx.us/pub/user_form.asp).

Wilson County, Texas is named in his honor.

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Preceded by
Henry Lawrence Kinney		 Texas State Senator
from District 19 (Brazoria)
1851–1853		 Succeeded by
Charles G. Keenan