John A. Wilson (1837-1896) Papers, 1853-1876

John Allston Wilson, C.E., son of William Hasell and Jane (Miller) Wilson, was born in Phoenixville, Chester County, Pa., April 24, 1837. He attended school in Philadelphia, 1842 to 1849 and private school in Chester County, Pa., 1849-1853. Wilson entered the Institute October, 1853. In April, 1857, he served as topographer on surveys in Central America, for the Honduras Interoceanic Railway. In June, 1858, Wilson was assistant engineer on the Pennsylvania Railroad; in 1860 he was promoted to position of principal assistant engineer in charge of construction, a position he held until 1864. During the same time, he was chief engineer of the Junction and Connecting Railroad Companies. In 1863, Wilson was aid on the staff of Gen. D. N. Couch, commander of Department of the Susquehanna, and had charge of construction of fortifications at Harrisburg and vicinity and rebuilt the Cumberland Valley Railroad. March 1, 1864, he was appointed chief engineer for Pennsylvania Railroad Company. January 1, 1868, Wilson was transferred to main line of Pennsylvania Railroad, as chief engineer of maintenance of way. On April 1, 1874, he resigned this position to accept that of chief engineer of Bennett's Branch Railroad. From April, 1870, to April, 1975, Wilson acted as chief engineer for Pennsylvania Railroad in charge of construction of branch roads, during which time he constructed the Morrison's Cove branches and the extension of the Tyrone & Clearfield railroad, to Curriersville, Pa. During 1875 he was engaged as consulting engineer in construction of centennial buildings in Philadelphia. January 1, 1876, he became a partner in the firm of Wilson Bros. & Co., civil engineers and architects, at Philadelphia. He also held positions of chief engineer of North and West Branch Railroad, of the Staten Island Rapid Transit Railroad, of the Buffalo Run.

(from Nason's Biographical Record, 1887)

The John A. Wilson Papers, 1853-1883, contain student papers, 1853-1856, and professional papers, 1876-1883. The student papers feature a wide selection of lecture notebooks and some exercises from John A. Wilson's years at RPI (1853-1856). Student notebooks are arranged alphabetically by course title and include such topics as natural history, chemistry, physics, mechanics, graphics, geodesy, construction, etc. Also included is a copy of Wilson's RPI thesis.

The small amount of professional material consists of volume 1 of Wilson's notes which he took at the Centennial Exhibition on Philadelphia (1876), and an invitation to the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge (1883). The Centennial Exhibition notes contain descriptions of and comments on the displays of various countries, manufacturers, etc.

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