He was born in 1826 (15; 6 (38 in 1861), 7 (38 in 1861)). He was born in Blair County, Pennsylvania (6, 7).
When he enlisted, he was a survey[or] (6, 7).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 8 inches tall, and had a florid complexion, hazel eyes, and brown hair (6, 7).
He was mustered into service in the 62nd Pennsylvania Infantry on 9 August 1861 (1). He served in company M (1).
He reenlisted in the 62nd Pennsylvania Infantry as a veteran volunteer on 13 February 1864 (1, 6, 7). He was enlisted for three years, at Licken Run, Virginia, by Lieutenant Adams (6, 7). He was mustered in by Captain Gentry (6, 7). He served in company M (15).
He was acting orderly sergeant of company M, at least during May and June of 1864 (2).
He returned from the division Hospital on 15 July 1864 (6).
He was transferred from company L of the 62nd Pennsylvania to the 91st Pennsylvania Infantry on 20 July 1864 (1, 13 [M]). On 21 July 1864, he, and the other members of companies L and M of the 62nd Pennsylvania, were assigned to company G (3). On 22 July 1864, they were transferred to company K, following brigade orders to assign them to the smallest company (4, 5). He was then present, as a second sergeant (4). He was a sergeant, in company K of the 91st (1, 15, 16). On 25 July 1864, he wrote a statement about Peter Abbott (2).
He was a sergeant in the 91st Pennsylvania (5).
On 13 September 1864, he was reported sick in the Point Lookout Hospital (9).
On 25 October 1864, he was reported absent sick (10).
In June 1865, he was on duty as Orderly Sergeant at Division Headquarters (14).
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company (1). He was a sergeant, in company K (16).
He died on 22 February 1873 (13, 15). He was buried in Logan Valley Cemetery, Bellwood, Blair County, Pennsylvania (15).
On 28 November 1879, his widow, M C Wilson, applied successfully for a pension (11, 13).
In 1890, his widow, Christiana Wilson, was living on Maple Avenue, in Allegheny, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania (12).
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster)
2 letter, Lentz, 26 July 1864
3 special order 65, HQ 91st PA, 21 July 1864 (Matthew C Wilson)
4 special order 66, HQ 91st PA, 22 July 1864 (Matthew C Wilson)
5 company K, second list of non-commissioned officers (Matthew C Wilson)
6 company K, third descriptive roll (Mathew C Wilson)
7 company K, fourth descriptive roll (Matthew C Wilson)
8 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 15 Sep 11864 (Sergt Wilson)
9 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 13 September 1864 (Sergt Wilson)
10 consolidated morning report, 25 October 1864 (Sergt Wilson)
11 pension index, by name (Matthew C Wilson)
12 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, Allegheny, 2nd district, 12th ward, supervisor's district 9, enumeration district 229, page 3 (Christiana Wilson)
13 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company K (Matthew C Wilson)
14 monthly return, company K, June 1865 (MC Wilson)
15 Page 277. Floyd G Hoenstine. Military services and genealogical records of soldiers of Blair County, Pennsylvania. Harrisburg, PA: Telegraph Press, 1940. (Matthew C Wilson)
16 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (Matthew C Wilson)