Wilson, John Laird, 1832-1896

John Allston Wilson, C.E., son of William Hasell and Jane (Miller) Wilson, was born in Phoenixville, Chester County, Pa., April 24, 1837. He attended school in Philadelphia, 1842 to 1849 and private school in Chester County, Pa., 1849-1853. Wilson entered the Institute October, 1853. In April, 1857, he served as topographer on surveys in Central America, for the Honduras Interoceanic Railway. In June, 1858, Wilson was assistant engineer on the Pennsylvania Railroad; in 1860 he was promoted to position of principal assistant engineer in charge of construction, a position he held until 1864. During the same time, he was chief engineer of the Junction and Connecting Railroad Companies. In 1863, Wilson was aid on the staff of Gen. D.N. Couch, commander of Department of the Susquehanna, and had charge of construction of fortifications at Harrisburg and vicinity and rebuilt the Cumberland Valley Railroad. March 1, 1864, he was appointed chief engineer for Pennsylvania Railroad Company. January 1, 1868, Wilson was transferred to main line of Pennsylvania Railroad, as chief engineer of maintenance of way. On April 1, 1874, he resigned this position to accept that of chief engineer of Bennett's Branch Railroad. From April, 1870, to April, 1975, Wilson acted as chief engineer for Pennsylvania Railroad in charge of construction of branch roads, during which time he constructed the Morrison's Cove branches and the extension of the Tyrone & Clearfield railroad, to Curriersville, Pa. During 1875 he was engaged as consulting engineer in construction of centennial buildings in Philadelphia. January 1, 1876, he became a partner in the firm of Wilson Bros. & Co., civil engineers and architects, at Philadelphia. He also held positions of chief engineer of North and West Branch Railroad, of the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railroad, of the Buffalo Run. [The previous was taken from Nason's Biographical Record, 1887]. Wilson died in Philadelphia, Pa. on January 21, 1896.