Charles was an orphan who was raised by neighbors on a farm. As a young man, he enlisted in the army and fought in the Mexican War. After reaching the rank of colonel, he left the military and became a successful businessman in New York, specializing in transportation. In 1849 he landed in San Francisco and soon owned a steam schooner, carrying passengers and freight up the Sacramento River to the Sierra foothills and gold mines. He also expanded his business interests to include a profitable plank toll road and a toll bridge in San Francisco. In the early 1850s, he wed Sarah Jane Rood, a wealthy woman in her own right. Highly successful in all his business ventures, Col. Wilson dreamed of bringing the first railroad to California. It was called the Sacramento Valley Railroad, and Col. Wilson was its president. Several factors led to the failure of this grand venture, although Col. Wilson can be credited for having brought out to California the famous civil engineer, Theodore Judah. The Placer County town of Lincoln is named for Charles Lincoln Wilson as he originally bought the land from Judah, surveyed it, and sold lots.
Col. Wilson died at 77 years of age and was survived by three sons and two daughters who then inherited valuable estates in Butte and Placer counties. Their names are Charles Jr., Mary Jane, Bessie (Elizabeth), Lloyd, and Archibald. The oldest two are from his first marriage to Sarah who died suddenly on December 13, 1870, at their residence in Chico. The younger three children are from a second marriage to Louisa Duff. She died May 6, 1887 in Oakland, California. [contributed by Bill G.]
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Col. Wilson died at 77 years of age and was survived by three sons and two daughters who then inherited valuable estates in Butte and Placer counties. Their names are Charles Jr., Mary Jane, Bessie (Elizabeth), Lloyd, and Archibald. The oldest two are from his first marriage to Sarah who died suddenly on December 13, 1870, at their residence in Chico. The younger three children are from a second marriage to Louisa Duff. She died May 6, 1887 in Oakland, California. [contributed by Bill G.]
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Charles was an orphan who was raised by neighbors on a farm. As a young man, he enlisted in the army and fought in the Mexican War. After reaching the rank of colonel, he left the military and became a successful businessman in New York, specializing in transportation. In 1849 he landed in San Francisco and soon owned a steam schooner, carrying passengers and freight up the Sacramento River to the Sierra foothills and gold mines. He also expanded his business interests to include a profitable plank toll road and a toll bridge in San Francisco. In the early 1850s, he wed Sarah Jane Rood, a wealthy woman in her own right. Highly successful in all his business ventures, Col. Wilson dreamed of bringing the first railroad to California. It was called the Sacramento Valley Railroad, and Col. Wilson was its president. Several factors led to the failure of this grand venture, although Col. Wilson can be credited for having brought out to California the famous civil engineer, Theodore Judah. The Placer County town of Lincoln is named for Charles Lincoln Wilson as he originally bought the land from Judah, surveyed it, and sold lots.
Col. Wilson died at 77 years of age and was survived by three sons and two daughters who then inherited valuable estates in Butte and Placer counties. Their names are Charles Jr., Mary Jane, Bessie (Elizabeth), Lloyd, and Archibald. The oldest two are from his first marriage to Sarah who died suddenly on December 13, 1870, at their residence in Chico. The younger three children are from a second marriage to Louisa Duff. She died May 6, 1887 in Oakland, California. [contributed by Bill G.]
.
Col. Wilson died at 77 years of age and was survived by three sons and two daughters who then inherited valuable estates in Butte and Placer counties. Their names are Charles Jr., Mary Jane, Bessie (Elizabeth), Lloyd, and Archibald. The oldest two are from his first marriage to Sarah who died suddenly on December 13, 1870, at their residence in Chico. The younger three children are from a second marriage to Louisa Duff. She died May 6, 1887 in Oakland, California. [contributed by Bill G.]
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