Bluford Wilson

Bluford Wilson (November 30, 1841 – July 15, 1924) was a Union Army officer in the Civil War and a government official who served as Solicitor of the United States Treasury.

Bluford Wilson
Solicitor of the United States Treasury
In office 1874–1876
Preceded by	E. C. Banfield
Succeeded by	George F. Talbot
United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois
In office 1869–1874
Preceded by	John E. Rosette
Succeeded by	John P. Van Dorston
Personal details
Born	November 30, 1841 Shawneetown, Illinois, US
Died	July 15, 1924 (aged 82) Springfield, Illinois, US
Resting place	Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Alice Warren Mather (m. 1865)
Relations	James H. Wilson (Brother)
Children	5 (Including Arthur H. Wilson)
Education	McKendree College University of Michigan Law School
Profession	Attorney
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

Early life

Bluford Wilson was born near Shawneetown, Illinois on November 30, 1841.[1] He studied at McKendree College and the University of Michigan Law School before enlisting for the American Civil War.[2]

Military career

Wilson joined the 120th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He soon received an officer's commission and appointment as regimental adjutant. He later served on several other staffs, including that of the XIII Corps, taking part in numerous battles and campaigns, including Champion Hill, Black River and the Siege of Vicksburg, and the Red River Campaign. He was discharged with the rank of major at the end of the war.[3]

For the rest of his life Wilson was active in the Grand Army of the Republic and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.[4][5]

Legal career

Wilson resumed studying law at the University of Michigan Law School, graduated in 1866, and was admitted to the bar in 1867.[6][7]

A Republican, Wilson was appointed United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois in 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 President Ulysses S. Grant. Bluford Wilson's brother Major General James H. Wilson served 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 the Whiskey 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

After leaving government service Wilson settled in Springfield, Illinois, where he practiced law and became involved in the construction and management of several railroads.[16][17]

During the Spanish–American War Wilson offered his services; the governor authorized him to raise a regiment and he was commissioned a Colonel in the Illinois militia, but the war ended before his regiment could see active service.[18]

Death and burial

Wilson died in Springfield on July 15, 1924.[19] He was buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield.

Family

In 1865 Wilson married Alice Warren Mather of Louisville, 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 at Yale University. Arthur graduated from West Point in 1904, attained the rank of Colonel during a career that spanned the years 1904 to 1942, and received the Medal of Honor during the Philippine Insurrection.[20]

References

1. U.S. Passport Applications, 1795–1925, entry for Bluford Wilson, dated August 27, 1890, accessed December 4, 201
2. The Bench and Bar of Illinois, edited by John McAuley Palmer, Volume 1, 1899, pages 221 to 223
3. American Biography: A New Cyclopedia, published by American Historical Company, Inc., New York City, Volume 25, 1926, pages 43 to 45
4. Register of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, published by the legion, 1906, page 246
5. Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Sangamon County, published by Munsell Publishing Company, Chicago, Volume II, 1912, entry for Bluford Wilson
6. General Register of the University of Michigan, published by the University, 1866, page 47
7. The 1903 Michiganensian, published by the university, 1903, page 423
8. Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States, published by U.S. Government Printing Office, Volume 17, 1901, page 195
9. The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, by Ulysses Simpson Grant, edited by John Y. Simon, Volume 25, 2003, page 365
10. Register of the Department of Justice, published by the department, 1885, page 4
11. The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant: April 1 – July 6, 1863, by Ulysses Simpson Grant, edited by John Y. Simon, 1979, page 543
12. The Pioneer History of Illinois, 1887, page 368
13. The Class of 1861: Custer, Ames, and Their Classmates After West Point, by Ralph Kirshner and George A. Plimpton, 2008, page 134
14. Magazine article, Downfall of the Whiskey Ring, Scribner's magazine, Volume 18, Number 3 (September, 1895), page 274
15. Hamilton Fish: The Inner History of the Grant Administration, by Hamilton Fish, Volume 2, 1957, page 790
16. Newspaper article, "Arrangements for Funeral of Major Bluford Wilson," Freeport Journal-Standard, July 16, 1924
17. Newspaper article, "Is Named Receiver," Edwardsville Intelligencer, July 23, 1924
18. Philo History: Chronicles and Biographies of the Philosophian Literary Society of Mckendree College, edited by Paul and Chester Farthing, 1911, pages 74 to 76
19. Illinois Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916–1947, entry for Bluford Wilson, accessed December 4, 2011
20. Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Sangamon County Archived 2014-12-15 at the Wayback Machine, published by Munsell Publishing Company, Chicago, Volume II, 1912, entry for Bluford Wilson