Joseph Willard Wilson
South Jersey: A History 1624–1924
Joseph Willard Wilson, practicing lawyer, whose business address is located at No. 45 North Third Street, Camden, and who is very active in business and financial circles there, was born at No. 217 Arch Street, Camden, (in same block where he now has his office), on September 11, 1888. His parents were Joseph and Martha E. (Knox) Wilson, who are still living in Camden. His father was born in Marlton, and went to school there. When a young man he was employed in the building of the railroad to Mount Holley. Afterward he went to Camden and was janitor and sexton in various schools and churches. His grandfather, who came from Scotland, made the trip from the East to Chicago by covered wagon and afterwards returned to Marlton, New Jersey, where he engaged in farming. He was one hundred years of age when he died.
Joseph Willard Wilson attended the public schools of Camden, and after a year of high school was able to pass a teacher’s examination which gave him a high school diploma. He began the study of law with Judge Joline on July 17, 1905. Then he was with Dean S. Renwick for one year, C. Edgar Shreve for one year, Howard Cooper for two years, and Joseph Beck Tyler for two years. He was admitted to the bar in 1910 when twenty-one years of age. He started in practice for himself on September 4, 1911.
Mr. Wilson proved himself to the people of Camden not only as a good lawyer, but also a man of constructive ideas and a good business man. He took especial interest in building and loan schemes and assisted in organizing and incorporating the following companies, in all of which he is solicitor and director: The Rosedale Building and Loan Association, Fairview Building and Loan Association, and Arch, Victoria and Roydon associations. He also assisted in the organization of the East End Trust Company, of Camden.
During the World War, Mr. Wilson was a member of the legal advisory board to Draft Board No. 4, East Camden District. Mr. Wilson also performed good service as a salesman for Liberty Bonds and in Victory Loan drives. He belongs to the American, State and County Bar associations; the East End Republican Club; the Eastern Square Club, of East Camden; Camden Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Patriotic Order Sons of America, Washington Camp No. 25; the Improved Order of Red Men, Black Hawk Tribe, No. 15; Foresters of America, Court Pride of Stockton, No. 15; Cross and Crown Castle, No. 25, Knights of the Golden Eagle; and is an associate member of the Camden Real Estate Board. In the Grace Presbyterian Church, of which he is a member, Mr. Wilson was Sunday School superintendent for two years and trustee for a number of years.
Mr. Wilson was married, in Wilmington, Delaware, on September 4, 1911, to Frances Jameson, born in Camden, and daughter of George W. and Anna Gertrude (Goebel) Jameson. The Wilsons have three children: 1. Gertrude, born May 30, 1913. 2. George J., born June 17, 1918. 3. Joseph W., Jr., born December 12, 1921.