Los Angeles County, CA, Biographies

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ROSWELL H. WILSON, 
 
the proprietor of the well-known pioneer nursery, of the Duarte, was the pioneer 
of the nursery industry in his section. He commenced the business upon his 
father's place in 1876, and in 1879 established a nursery, on his own account, 
on the San Gabriel avenue, between Buena Vista and Mountain View avenues. That 
tract of
land was ten acres in extent, and in addition to his nursery business, he fully 
improved it by planting the choicest variety of citrus and deciduous fruits. He 
sold that place in 1886, and purchased his present residence, consisting of 
thirteen acres of land on the corner of San Gabriel and Buena Vista avenues. 
Taking this land in its comparatively wild state, he is, by his intelligent care 
and industrious labor, combined with a thorough practical knowledge of his 
business, building up one of the leading nurseries of the county. With the 
exception of a family orchard, his whole tract will be devoted to nursery 
purposes. His greatest attention at this writing (1889) is being devoted to 
producing a large and choice variety of deciduous fruits, such as his years of 
experience have shown him are the best adapted to his section and the San 
Gabriel Valley. Ornamental trees and floral productions also receive his 
attention, and in the near future his stock in that line cannot be exceeded by 
any in his section. He is a stockholder in the Duarte Ditch Company, and his 
irrigation system is one of the most perfect to be found in the district. He is 
also a mechanic of no mean order, and his noticeably neat and attractive cottage 
residence is the result of his own skill and labor. Mr. Wilson was born in 
Chatham, New Jersey, in 1857. He is the son of Joseph Wilson, a native of 
England, who, early in life, emigrated to the United States and located in New 
Jersey, following the occupation of a carpenter and joiner. He there married 
Miss Elizabeth Sayre, a native of that State. Mr. Wilson was reared in his 
native place until twelve years of age. His parents then moved to Newark, where 
they resided until 1874. In that year they came to Los Angeles County, and, 
after spending a year in Los Angeles, came to the Duarte and purchased thirty 
acres of land on San Gabriel avenue. Previous to this date the subject of this 
sketch had spent the most of his time in school. He was always a lover of 
horticultural pursuits, and upon his father's occupying this tract of land, be 
entered heartily into the profession of his choice; and through study and 
research became one of the successful horticulturists of the Duarte district. He 
is a respected citizen and a strong supporter of such enterprises as will 
advance the welfare of the community in which he resides. A supporter of schools 
and churches, he has for years been a consistent member of the Congregational 
Church. In political matters he is a Republican, and is also a strong supporter 
of the Prohibition movement. In 1882 Mr. Wilson married Miss Alice Philbrook, a 
native of Illinois. She died in 1884. In 1887 he was united in marriage with 
Miss Florence Campbell, the daughter of Galen and Roxanna (Dunshee) Campbell. 
Mrs. Wilson was born in Illinois. Her father was a native of Vermont, and her 
mother, of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have one child, Alice. Mr. Wilson's 
parents are now residing at their home just west of his place. With them are 
residing his brother, Leonard W., and his sister, Gertrude, now Mrs. Parker. His 
brother, J. Chester Wilson, is a resident of Ventura County, this State; and his 
sister, Nellie E., now Mrs. Frank Ellis, is living at San Pedro.
 
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California �  Chicago, The Lewis 
Publishing Company, 1889   Page 660
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler