This collection is focused on the Wilson family of Huntsville, Texas. This biography will focus on members of the family identified in the scrapbook or affiliated with Sam Houston State University.

James Reed Wilson Sr. (1845-1934) was originally from Montgomery, Texas, and moved to Huntsville, Texas, when he was nine years old. J. R. Wilson, Sr. served in the Civil War. He was active in a farm program in Walker County and a member of the Baptist Church.

He was married to Ella Louise (Calhoun) Wilson (1852-1927) and had several children: Samuel Calhoun Wilson (1877-1939), James Reed “Jimmy” Wilson (1879-1948), Jr., Grover Cleveland Wilson (1884-1936), Rosa Etta (Wilson) Grice (1873-1938), and Mary Rebecca (Wilson) Satterwhite (1918-1987). J.R. Wilson Sr. died at age 88 and was buried at Oakwood Cemetery.

J. R. Wilson Sr.’s son James Reed “Jimmy” Wilson Jr., married Nora Blackaller Westmoreland (1887-1965). They had three children together, James Reed Wilson III (1913-2008), Samuel Pascal Wilson Sr. (1917-1950), and Mary Rebecca Wilson (1918-1987). Mary is referred to in the scrapbook as Rebecca Wilson.

J. R. Wilson Sr.’s son, Samuel Calhoun Wilson, graduated from Sam Houston Normal Institute (SHNI) and became a professor in Agricultural education at SHNI (later called Sam Houston State Teachers College, Sam Houston State College, and Sam Houston State University). He was an educator, researcher, author, and the first chair of the agriculture department. He worked as a faculty member from 1909 until his death in 1939. The Wilson Building was named in his honor, and the class of 1941 presented a stained-glass window in Old Main for him. The Wilson-Warner Scholarship, created in 1994, acts as a memorial to him and his son, Logan Wilson, along with fellow faculty member S. R. Warner. Samuel Calhoun Wilson was married to Sammie Logan Wilson (1884-1938). His children include Logan Wilson (1907-1990), Samuel Calhoun Wilson, Jr. (1909-1991), and Mary Elizabeth (Wilson) Lott (1911-1938).

His son, Logan Wilson attended Sam Houston State Teachers College (a later name of SHNI) and graduated in 1926 with a Bachelor of Arts. He was a professor, author, and researcher. He served as President and Chancellor of the University of Texas from 1952-1961 before leaving the position to become President of the American Council on Education in Washington, DC.

S. C. Wilson’s younger son, Samuel Calhoun Wilson, Jr. additionally attended Sam Houston State Teachers College, graduating with a Bachelor of Science. He was fought in the Navy in World War II and retired from military service as a Lt. Commander. He worked in veteran vocational rehabilitation and the fight against polio.

S. C. Wilson’s daughter, Mary Elizabeth (Wilson) Lott married Arthur Lyddleton “Lee” Lott (1908-1972) in 1934. She died in an automobile accident in Grimes County, Texas in 1928 at the age of 26. She was buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Huntsville.

There is a branch part of the Wilson family mentioned in the scrapbook, descending from J.R. Wilson’s brother Samuel H. Wilson (born 1849-death date unknown). Samuel H. Wilson married Edna Cornelia Woodall and had at least three children: Gertrude C. Wilson (1874-1915), Walter Townsend Wilson (1875-1935), and Benjamin Pressley Wilson (1878-1945). The latter’s daughter, Edna Wilson (born 1909-death date unknown), married James Leon Echols (1906-1977) in 1934. The event is featured in the scrapbook.

It should be noted that the Wilson family often passed down family names, some of which in full (first, middle, and last). Please consult dates and other available information to determine which individual is being referenced.