My Genealogy Hound

John P. Wilson, M. D., a retired physician and surgeon of Pontiac, Michigan, was during his active career one of the most prominent and successful practitioners of his profession in Oakland County.

Dr. Wilson was born in Scotland and received his early educational training there. He was 16 years of age when he accompanied his parents to this country, locating in Oakland County, Michigan, in 1844. He read medicine under the direction of his father, Dr. William Wilson, a graduate of Glasgow University, and then attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons at New York City, graduating in 1851. He then practiced in association with his father at Pine Lake, Oakland County, until 1856, in which year he removed to Pontiac, where he has since made his home. He has always resided at No. 174 Orchard Lake avenue since making his home in Pontiac, a period of 47 years. He was a practitioner of the regular school and commanded an extensive general practice. In the Civil War he served as 1st surgeon of the 5th Reg., Michigan Vol. Cav., and later was brigade surgeon in Custer’s famous regiment. He was taken down with fever shortly after the engagement at Gettysburg, and was off duty for several weeks. He was discharged from Annapolis Hospital in the fall of 1863 and returned home, and for five years thereafter he was disabled. He again took up the practice of his profession and continued until 1880, when he retired from activity because of his inability to hear well. He is a Republican in politics, and frequently was called upon to fill important public offices. He organized the first Board of Health at Pontiac and for a period of 15 years was health officer. He was a member of the Board of Education for 16 years, and trustee of the Eastern Michigan Asylum. For the past 18 years he has been secretary of the Cemetery Board. He is unswerving in his support of the Republican party and has been since its organization. His first vote was cast for John P. Hale, and his second presidential vote for John C. Fremont.

Dr. Wilson was united in marriage with a daughter of Gen. Joseph T. Copeland, she being a native of Maine. They are parents of one son and two daughters, namely: Fred L., who was educated to be a pharmacist, but is now conducting a store in California; Mary H., who lives at home with our subject and wife; and Effie, who married Elder E. Sphink and lives in Chicago. Religiously, the family are Episcopalians, and the Doctor has served as vestryman for a period of nearly 20 years. He was formerly a member of the Oakland County Medical Society, and is now a member of Dick Richardson Post, G. A. R. He is a man representative of the highest type of citizenship, and has many friends throughout Oakland County.