148

BIOGRAPHICAL AND PORTRAIT CYCLOPEDIA

deceased of Conemaugh, and John who died at the age of sixteen, death resulting from being kicked by a horse. Mr. Wilson died in Jackson township.     Mr. D. B. Wilson received a common school education. On leaving school he began life on his own account in Jackson township, where, for a number of years, he engaged in the saw-mill business. He then learned the copper's trade, and followed this occupation until 1862, when, in response to President Lincoln's call for troops to defend the Union against dismemberment by secession, he enlisted October 20, 1862, in company G, Eleventh regiment, Pennsylvania cavalry, and served until the close of the war. Among the most important battles and skirmishes in which he participated were the following: On November 23, 1862, Joyner's Ford and Franklin, Virginia; December 1st at Beaver Dam church, where they captured Rocket battery; December 10 1862, near Zuni, Virginia; January 3, 1863, Deserted House, Virginia; March 17, 1863, Franklin, Virginia; April 24, 1863, Clinton Roads, near Suffolk; June 7, 1863, South Ann Bridge, Virginia, and July 28, 1863, Jackson, North Carolina, Ream's Station, Siege of Richmond and was at the surrender at Appomattox. He was mustered out of service August 13, 1865, and for about one year was in the employ of the Cambria Iron company, working at the carpenter's trade. On leaving their employ he removed to Conemaugh township, Somerset county, where he purchased property on which he built a saw-mill. He operated this mill and a portion of the land for six years, and then sold the saw-mill and a part of the land, retaining for himself one hundred and thirty acres. He now purchased a portable steam saw-mill, and for two years operated it in the mountains

of Cambria county. Selling this mill at an advantage to himself, he next engaged in the coal business in Bedford county, which for two years he conducted with profit. As a result of the depression in business which followed the panic of 1873, the gentlemen to whom Mr. Wilson had sold his saw-mill property was unable to pay his indebtedness and Mr. Wilson, in order to recoup himself, was compelled to take back the property. He again operated this mill, manufacturing reels for the Cambria Iron company for about four years. In 1888 he rented his farm and mill, and removed to Mineral Point, this county, where he has since resided. During the first year of his residence in Mineral Point he operated a furniture factory, and continued to make reels for the Cambria Iron company. In connection with this enterprise he was interested in the mercantile business. The memorable flood of 1889 destroyed both branches of his business, and on recovering from the effect of this terrible disaster he devoted his attention to the mercantile business exclusively for about two years, at the end of which time he sold out to his nephew, William Wilson, who still conducts the store.     He is now engaged in mining and shipping fire clay. Ever since his residence in Mineral Point he has been postmaster, and is also freight agent for the Pennsylvania railroad at that place.     Politically he has always been a republican, and in addition to the above office he has served as school director in Taylor township, and was elected justice of the peace in that township, which office he resigned in 1890, after serving one year.     He is a member of the G. A. R., Emory Fisher post, No. 30, and of Camp 60, Union Legion, at Johnstown.

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