James L. Craig Wilson

b. 30 October 1890, d. 17 August 1953

James L Craig Wilson, 1890-
  • James L. Craig Wilson was born on 30 October 1890 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York.
  • His name was recorded as James Laurie C. Wilson on his World War I draft registration card.
  • He was known as Craig.
  • James L. Wilson and Adnia A. Fisher appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, at 184 Garner Avenue. Other members of the household included James L. Craig Wilson, Roy Peter Wilson and Nelson Fisher.
  • James L. Wilson and Adnia A. Fisher appeared in the New York state census of 1 June 1905 in Buffalo, New York, at 184 Garner Avenue. Other members of the household included James L. Craig Wilson, Roy Peter Wilson and Agnes V. Wilson.
  • James L. Wilson and Adnia A. Fisher appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, at 408 Hoyt Street. Other members of the household included James L. Craig Wilson.
  • About 1911, likely in honor of the new fourth generation, a Wilson family photo was taken of Adnia, son Roy, James, Roy's wife Winifred, James' mother Margaret Simpson Wilson holding great granddaughter Hazel, and James' son Craig kneeling beside her.
  • He married Ella M. Gifford, daughter of (?) Gifford and Tabitha (?), circa 1912.
  • James L. Craig Wilson registered for the draft on 5 June 1917 while married and living at 284 Grant Street in Buffalo, and employed as a plumbing and heating contractor at 282 Grant Street.
  • James L. Craig Wilson and Ella M. Gifford appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, at 59 Admiral Road.
  • He was a hardware and plumbing merchant, according to the 1920 census.
  • The following appeared on 8 November 1924 in The Buffalo Morning Express: [Died] Suddenly, in Buffalo, on Nov. 7, 1924, James L. Wilson, beloved husband of Adnia A. (nee Fisher), father of Roy P. and J. L. Craig Wilson, son of the late Peter and Margaret Wilson, brother of Thomas and Robert Wilson, Mrs. J. H. Brauer and Mrs. A. Nichols. Funeral from the family home, 282 Grant street, on Monday afternoon, Nov. 10, at 2:30 o’clock and Bethlehem Presbyterian church at 3 o’clock. Friends invited to attend. Interment at Forest Lawn. Deceased was a charter member of Crescent lodge No. 551, I.O.O.F. Mount Clement lodge No. 364, Knights of Pythias.
  • James L. Craig Wilson and Ella M. Gifford appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, at 129 Meadow.
  • He was president of a plumbing supply company, according to the 1930 census.
  • The following appeared on 16 December 1930 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: Buffalo, Dec 16 (AP)--Because a dial telephone requires to hands for correct manipulation, a burglar escaped from the home of J. L. Craig Wilson here last night.
         Mr. Wilson said he found the burglar ransacking a dressing table in a bedroom, when he returned home last night. Thrusting a pair of scissors in his coat pocket to simulate a pistol, Mr. Wilson "covered" the intruder and backed him downstairs to the telephone.
         The burglar granced at Mr. Wilson's coat pocket and submitted meekly. Then Mr. Wilson took his hand out of his pocket to twist the dial on the telephone while he held the receiver with the other hand. The burglar took a chance, ran out a rear door, vaulted a porch railing and disappeared. Police who arrived in answer to Mr. Wilson's telephone call could find no trace of the intruder.
  • James L. Craig Wilson and Ella M. Gifford appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1940 in Buffalo, New York.
  • The following appeared on 13 December 1947 in the Buffalo Courier-Express: [Died] Roy P. Wilson, of 150 Stratford Rd., Buffalo, N. Y., December 11, 1947, husband of Winifred Pittman Wilson; father of Mrs. Frank Doyle, Donald K. Wilson and Mrs. Edward Rung; son of Adnia and the late James L. Wilson; brother of Craig Wilson. Funeral from Link-Fox Company Mortuary, 355 Grant St., Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Friends invited.
  • James L. Craig Wilson died on 17 August 1953 at age 62 in Wanakah, Erie County, New York, at West Lane Drive at his residence.
  • Ella M. Gifford became a widow at his death.
  • He was interred at Prospect Lawn Cemetery, Hamburg, Erie County, New York.
  • The following appeared on 20 August 1953 in The Hamburg Sun: Funeral services will be held this afternoon for J. L. Craig Wilson who died at his home in West Lane Drive, Wanakah, on Monday. Mr. Wilson was a plumbing and heating contractor in Buffalo for many years and had lived in Wanakah for eleven years.
         He leaves surviving his wife, Mrs. Ella Gifford Wilson, and his mother, Mrs. James L. Wilson. He was the brother of the late Roy P. Wilson. Mr. Wilson was a member of the Mercy Club.
         Interment will be in Prospect Lawn Cemetery with the Rev. P. W. Meisenheimer officiating.
  • The following appeared in Municipality of Buffalo, New York: A History, 1720-1923:
         James L. Wilson, in association with his brother, established in 1889 a plumbing business at No. 445 Massachusetts avenue, Buffalo, and for five years conducted a prosperous business under the firm name of Wilson Brothers. In 1893 the brother withdrew and the business was continued by James L. Wilson as the Wilson Plumbing Company, he continuing until 1890, [sic] when he admitted his elder son, Roy P. Wilson, as a partner. From 1900 until 1917 the business was operated as a partnership, then in 1917 it was incorporated as James L. Wilson & Sons, Inc., with James L. Wilson, president; Roy P. Wilson, treasurer; and J. L. Craig Wilson, secretary. The business of the company is hardware and plumbing, their hardware store at No. 1505-07-09 Hertel avenue, their plumbing establishment at No. 282 Grant street. The company employ in both establishments about sixty hands and occupy about 20,000 square feet of floor space. The president of the company and his sons are natives of this city, and business is one of importance.
         James L. Wilson is a son of Peter and Margaret (Simpson) Wilson, his parents both born in Glasgow, [sic] Scotland, but later becoming residents of Buffalo, New York. He was born in Buffalo, New York, June 7, 1863, and there educated in the public schools. His father was proprietor of a dairy in Buffalo and his first business association was with him. In 1889 the present business was established, and he continues its head as president.
         Mr. Wilson is a member of Crescent Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Knights of Pythias, and the Presbyterian church.
         James L. Wilson married, October 9, 1882, Edna [sic] A. Fisher of Olean, New York, and they are the parents of two children: Roy P., of further mention; and J. L. Craig, of further mention.
         Roy P. Wilson was born in Olean, New York, December 31, [sic] 1885, and was educated in the public schools, finishing in Lafayette High School. He began business life with his father, and became treasurer of James L. Wilson & Sons, Inc., upon the incorporation of the company in 1917. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias; a director of the Penn Yo Plumbing Supply company; and is a member of the Bethlehem Presbyterian Church. Roy P. Wilson married, January 27, 1909, Winifred Pittman, of Buffalo, and they are the parents of three children: Hazel A., born April 22, 1911; Donald K., born April 7, 1913; and Evelyn M., born July 21, 1917.
         J. L. Craig Wilson was born October 31, 1891, in Buffalo, New York. He became associated with his father in business, and is secretary of James L. Wilson & Sons, Inc. He married Ella E. [sic] Gifford in 1917.
  • Research Note: While some relatively recent family records indicate that James Lyle was the name of both father and son, the name is James Laurie C. Wilson appears on the World War I draft registration of young James "Craig" Wilson. This is further supported by the middle name as it appears on the death certificate of his father's first cousin James L. Simpson: "Laurel" or "Laurie." It is worthy of note that there is a Lyall connection with the Wilson family in later years, which may have contributed to the comfusion.
  • Last Edited: 28 Aug 2015

Family: Ella M. Gifford b. November 1893