James C. Willson

James C. Willson
20th Mayor of the City of Flint, Michigan
In office
1879–1880
Preceded by Jerome Eddy
Succeeded by Zacheus Chase[1][2]
Personal details
Born April 28, 1833
Fitzroy, Ontario[3]
Died Flint, Michigan
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Rhoda Macomber Crapo[4]
Relations John R. and Eliza (Riddell) Willson, Parents
Dr. George B. Willson, cousin[5]
Henry H. Crapo, father-in-law[3]
Children George Crapo Willson
Residence Willson Park
Alma mater University of Michigan
Occupation Physician
Profession Medical[3]

James Caldwell Willson was a Michigan politician.[1][2]

Early life

On April 28, 1833, Willson was born in Fitzroy, Ontario. Going to New York, he attended a district school and taught for a year. Moving on to Olean, New York, he was involved in making daguerreotypes. In the fall of 1855, Willson move to Ann Arbor to study at the University of Michigan medical department. In 1857, he started practicing medicine in the office of Dr. R. D. Lamond in Flint. Returning in 1858 to the University, Willson graduated in 1859 with a Doctor of Medicine degree. Back in Flint, he joined his cousin's, Dr. George B. Willson, practice.[5] He serve as a Union Army major in the American Civil War.[3] In 1861, he was a surgeon to the Tenth Michigan Infantry. Willson was transfer to the Eight Michigan Infantry. He was honorable discharged in March 1863 because of ill health. On May 18, 1865, he married Rhoda Crapo, daughter of Governor Henry H. Crapo. That same year, he was sent to Washington, D.C. as the appointed Michigan military agent. Willson joined and was active in two Civil War organizations: the Grand Army of the Republic and the Loyal Legion.[5] On the death of Henry Crapo, the Willson move into the Crapo Mansion in Flint at First and Clifford (now Wallenberg Street) Streets, now known as Willson Park and part of the University of Michigan–Flint Campus.[6]

Political life

He was elected as the twentieth mayor of the City of Flint in 1879 serving a 1-year term.[1][3][5] Additional, from 1881 to 1884, Willson served on the City of Flint School Board. As a trustee for the Michigan School for the Deaf, Willson served a six-year term.[5]

Post-political life

Willson became involved in businesses serving as Flint Gas Company's and Genesee County Savings Bank's president. His wife died on May 8, 1907 and buried in Gleenwood Cemetery.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Chapter XIII: Roster of City Officials". History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries and Institutions. Michigan Historical Commission. 1916. Retrieved 2009-02-06.
  2. 1 2 List of Flint City Mayors. Political Graveyards.com
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Index to Politicians: Willison to Wilsnack -- Willson, James C. Entry. Political Graveyards.com
  4. "HENRY HOWLAND CRAPO FAMILY PAPERS". Genesee Historical Collections Center. University of Michigan-Flint. Retrieved 2009-02-06.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Mayor James C. Willson M.D.". Flint Timeline Project. Flint Public Library. Archived from the original on May 31, 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-06.
  6. Brennan, James. "Henry Howland Crapo/Willson Park". Michigan Historical Markers. James Brennan. Retrieved 2009-02-06.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, January 27, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.