Claudius Franklin Wilson

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

A prominent member of the legal fraternity of Morris county, New Jersey, C. Franklin WILSON is a partner in the well-known law firm of Vreeland & Wilson, of Morristown. He is the son of Lewis H. and Anna Caroline (SMITH) WILSON, and was born in Pitt county, North Carolina, January 21, 1868, his parents having been natives of the same locality.

Mr. WILSON first went to the schools of the neighborhood of Pitt county, later being sent to the Male Academy of Greenville, North Carolina, and graduating from that institution in June, 1884. His father cherished the old world belief in the necessity of a trade being a component part of the education of every boy and so his son was sent to learn that of the printer. Upon this young Mr. WILSON spent four years and mastered all its details. The value of this as an acquisition was proved in after years. The ambition of the youth was set upon being a lawyer, but after reading law for six months his eyes gave out, and he was obliged to find something that would tax them less. An opportunity opened for him to become the managing editor of a newspaper in Wilson, North Carolina, and in this his knowledge of the printing business was of excellent service. In November, 1892, he came to Morristown, New Jersey, and for four years worked as reporter on the True Democratic Banner, and during that time was the local correspondent for the Sun and the Evening Post, of New York City. He then resumed the study of law, first in the office of Edward A. QUAYLE, and on February 7, 1898, entered the office of Judge John B. VREELAND.

In October, 1898, Mr. Wilson began a two years’ course of work in the New York Law School, and he was admitted to the New Jersey bar as an attorney at the February term, 1900, of the Supreme Court, and as a counsellor at the June term, 1904. Upon his admission to the bar he at once engaged in practice, and April 1, 1903, he became a member of the firm of Vreeland, King, Wilson, & Lindabury, and continued in this connection until April 1, 1912, when the firm was dissolved, and he became a member of the firm of Vreeland & Wilson.

In his political beliefs Mr. WILSON is a Democrat. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Morristown, and he is also the president of its board of trustees. He is also a member of the North Carolina Society of New York City, of the Reform Club of New York City, of Cincinnati Lodge No. 3, F. and A. M., of Morristown; of Madison Lodge No. 27, R. A. M.; of Morristown Lodge, No. 121, K. of P.; of Mohuscowungie Tribe, I. O. R. M., and of Independent Hose Company, No. 1.

Mr. WILSON married, June 9, 1902, Dr. Grace FLANDERS, of Morristown, daughter of A. Hilliard FLANDERS, M. D. They have three children:

Ruth Irene,
Margaret Howe,
Janet Hilliard.

This biography was transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003).