ALEXANDER WILSON was, according to the 1870 Census, born in Pennsylvania in 1847. By the time of the aforementioned census he was living in Camden's South Ward and working as a hotel waiter. Single at the time of the Census, he was boarding at the home of Eliza Williams.

Camden Fire Department records indicate that Alexander Wilson of 422 Mount Vernon Street was, on April 8, 1877 appointed to the Camden Fire Department as an extra man with the Hook and Ladder Company, replacing John Dugan. He was one of the three black men who were the first of their race to be appointed to the Camden Fire Department, the others being Solomon Clark and Pierce Brown. Alexander Wilson served as an extra man with the Hook and Ladder Company for one year. He was replaced by Barney Harvey in April of 1878. 

Alexander Wilson was still living at 422 Mount Vernon Street into 1878. By the time the 1881-1882 City Directory was being compiled he had move to 423 Mount Vernon Street. He appears in the 1885 City Directory at 745 Sycamore Street. He next appears in Camden City Directories in 1890, living at 760 Chestnut and working as a porter on the West Jersey Railroad. The 1894-1895 City Directory has Alexander Wilson living at 931 Chestnut Street. He was then working as a waiter in Philadelphia. He 1897 he started a catering business.

Still residing at 931 Chestnut Street, Alexander Wilson appears in the 1900 Census with his wife of 10 years, Hattie Wilson. The couple was not blessed with children. Alexander Wilson gave his occupation to the census taker as water, but he was still engaged in the catering business as late as 1906. By that time Alexander Wilson had moved to 1020 South 10th Street, boarding with David and Lottie Taylor. Alexander Wilson's wife died prior to the 1910 Census..

Alexander Wilson does not appear in the 1914 City Directory or the 1920 Census. It is likely that he passed away in the early 1910s.