residing in a cottage home on
Hamilton Avenue, is the owner of a fine orchard of ten acres, which was improved
from a stubble-field. She purchased the property in the spring of 1880, the
frame of her residence being erected and inclosed at the time of the purchase.
The orchard, which is in fine condition, furnishes a large variety of fruit, of
which French prunes form the largest part.
Mrs. Wilson dates
her birth in Maryland, 1837. She is the daughter of John and Louisa (Ash)
Kinkead. Her father traced his descent back to the coming of the founder of the
family in America from the Old World about 1670. Her mother was a descendant
from an old Quaker family which originally came from Germany. Mrs. Wilson’s
adopted home was Pennsylvania. July 28, 1858, she married Alexander Wilson, who
was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, June 16, 1821, and was of one of the
long-established and prominent families of Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish
extraction, and of the Scotch Covenanter’s faith. He was educated for the legal
profession, and in December, 1858, was appointed United States Attorney for the
Territory of Utah by President James Buchanan. During the troubles of 1860 in
Utah, Mr. Wilson resigned his office and returned to Philadelphia, where he
resumed his practice and was admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the
United States. For many years he had been Law Reporter for the Public Ledger,
and had also been editor of the Commercial List. For some months he was
the principal editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
He raised four
companies for service in the War of the Rebellion, and declining a high command
he entered the service of Lieutenant in 118th Pennsylvania
Volunteers. He was engaged in several actions, and in the Battle of
Fredericksburg, his bravery was most conspicuous. His health failing, he was
compelled to resign, but during Lee’s invasion of his native State, he entered
the field hurriedly, as Captain of a company in the “Merchant’s Regiment,” which
was raised in Philadelphia to meet the emergency. His active, useful career was
cut short by his death, which occurred September 26, 1864, while he was in the
very prime of life. After the loss of her husband, Mrs. Wilson made
Philadelphia her home, until 1869, when, on account of failing health, she came
to California. Although she visited and resided in different parts of the State,
she did not regain her health until she came to Santa Clara Valley. She is now
strong and robust, and naturally is very enthusiastic in praise of this glorious
climate and its bountiful soil.
Pen Pictures From The Garden of the World or
Santa Clara County, California,
Illustrated. - Edited by H.S. Foote.-
Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1888. p. 423 Transcribed by Kathy Sedler