Wilson, Samuel M.

The Dudley Oil and Gas Company was first incorporated in 1903 with its main headquarters located in Wilmington, Delaware. According to its minutes, the company's purpose was to transact business "...relating to the production and sale of oil land or leases, petroleum oil or gas..." Within Kentucky, Dudley Oil and Gas focused much of its activity in Lee County and established an office in the city of Lexington. Judge Samuel M. Wilson of Lexington served as secretary to the company and collected these materials. The company's existence was brief, with lack of funding the apparent cause of its failure. According to an October 10, 1906 letter from Harry W. David, treasurer of the Delaware Trust Company, to Wilson, "...the Dudley Oil and Gas Company is no longer actively engaged in business..." There is, however, a 1919 prospectus for W.S. Dudley Oil and Gas Company which is included in the papers.

Attorney, historian.

Wilson, a native of Louisville, Ky., studied law at Centre College, Danville, Ky. and in the office of Judge Jere R. Morton and then became a prominent lawyer in Lexington, Ky. He was known for interests in social issues and in history, particularly for his work with the Lexington Public Library and the Kentudky Historical Society. He collected books and manuscripts, and founded the "Cakes and Ale Club", a group of men who shared Wilson's interests in books and book collecting. Wilson bequeathed his large collection of books and manuscripts to the University of Kentucky library.

Lawyer, historian.

Samuel M. Wilson was a Lexington, Kentucky attorney, World War I veteran, writer, church and civic leader, as well as a collector of books and manuscripts. He was the son and grandson of prominent Presbyterian ministers and maintained a life-long membership in Lexington's First Presbyterian Church, serving as ruling elder for many years. One of Wilson's special interests was Kentucky history. After his death in 1946, the majority of his collection went to the University of Kentucky. When Mrs. Wilson died in 1959, the remaining books and manuscripts were added to the library collection.

Attorney, historian.

Wilson, a native of Louisville, Ky., studied law at Centre College and in the office of Judge Jere R. Morton and became a prominent lawyer in Lexington, Ky. He was known for interests in social issues and in history, particularly for his work with the Lexington Public Library and the Kentucky Historical Society. He collected books and manuscripts, and founded the Cakes and Ale Club in Lexington, which consisted of a group of men who shared Wilson's interests in book collecting and the like. Wilson bequeathed his large collection of books and manuscripts to the University of Kentucky library.

Attorney, historian.

Wilson, a native of Louisville, Ky., studied law at Centre College, Danville, Ky. and in the office of Judge Jere R. Morton and then became a prominent lawyer in Lexington, Ky. He was known for interests in social issues and in history, particularly for his work with the Lexington Public Library and the Kentucky Historical Society. He collected books and manuscripts, and founded the "Cakes and Ale Club" in Lexington, which consisted of a group of men who shared Wilson's interests in books and book collecting. Wilson bequeathed his large collection of books and manuscripts to the University of Kentucky library.

Lawyer, historian.

Judge Samuel M. Wilson was a Lexington, Kentucky attorney, World War I veteran, writer, church and civic leader, as well as a collector of books and manuscripts. One of his special interests was Kentucky history. After his death in 1946, the majority of Wilson's collection went to the University of Kentucky. When Mrs. Wilson died in 1959, the remaining books and manuscripts were added to the library colection.

Lawyer, historian.

Samuel M. Wilson was born in Louisville, Ky., a son of Samuel Ramsay Wilson and grandson of Joshua Lacy Wilson, two prominent members of the Presbyterian clergy. Wilson attended Centre College in Danville, Ky. (1888-1891), Williams College in Massachusetts (1892-1893) and the law school at Centre College (1894-1895). After being admitted to the Kentucky bar in 1895, Wilson practiced law in Lexington and taught for a time at Transylvania University. During World War I, Wilson served as an assistant judge advocate and then Division Judge Advocate for the 77th Division, which was stationed in France during most of the war. He was discharged in 1919, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Returning to Lexington after the war, Wilson and Clinton M. Harbison opened a law office under the name Wilson and Harbison.

During these years, Wilson served various Kentucky circuit courts as a special judge and was once appointed a special master by the U.S. Supreme Court. He was also an attorney for several large corporations, including the Louisville and Nashville Railroad and Kentenia Corporation. In addition to his business duties, and various civic and charitable affairs in which he was involved, Wilson wrote extensively on Kentucky history in numerous pamphlets, articles and books including BATTLE OF BLUE LICKS, and HISTORY OF KENTUCKY.

Lawyer, historian.

Judge Samuel M. Wilson was a Lexington, Kentucky attorney, World War I veteran, writer, church and civic leader, as well as a collector of books and manuscripts. One of his special interests was Kentucky History. After his death in 1946, the majority of Wilson's collection went to the University of Kentucky. When Mrs. Wilson died in 1959, the remaining books and manuscripts were added to the library collection.

Attorney, historian.

Wilson, a native of Louisville, Ky., studied law at Centre College, Danville, Ky. and in the office of Judge Jere R. Morton and then became a prominent lawyer in Lexington, Ky. He was known for interests in social issues and in history, particularly for his work with the Lexington Public Library and the Kentucky Historical Society. He collected books and manuscripts, and founded the "Cakes and Ale Club" in Lexington, which consisted of a group of men who shared Wilson's interests in books and book collecting. Wilson bequeathed his large collection of books and manuscripts to the University of Kentucky library.