Deputy Sheriff of Lancaster County from 1897 to 1900

Son of Robert M. and Sara Elizabeth Williams Wilson.

James S. Wilson, Former House Sergeant At Arms and Prison Superintendent Dies
Lancaster, SC Jan 23 - Col. James S. Wilson, 79 for 25 years sergeant at arms of the SC House of Representatives and former superintendent of the State Penitentiary, died here today.
He served in the House post from 1901 to 1936, during which time he became widely acquainted with most of the state's leading citizens. He served as penitentiary superintendent for two terms under Gov. Olin D. Johnson, from 1836 to 1939 and from 1943 to 1945. During his period there he was instrumental in having a separate woman's prison set up.
He was active in the business life of Lancaster during his later years, being president of the Wilson Gas and Oil Co., and Wilson, Inc.
In civic activities, he was a Mason and helped organize the local body of the Junior Order, United American Mechanics. He was an elder in the Lancaster Presbyterian church.
Col. Wilson was twice married, the firs time to Elizabeth Williams. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in the Governor's Mansion at Columbia on Oct 25, 1943. After her death, he married Mary C. Johnson who survives.
Other survivors include eight children by his first wife, three stepchildren, two sisters and two brothers and a number o grand and great grandchildren.
The funeral will be held at 3 PM Sunday from the Lancaster Presbyterian Church. Three ministers, the Rev. R.H. Showalter, Lancaster, Herbert Wardlaw, Orangeburg, and J.B. Caston, Columbia. Will be in charge. Burial will be in Westside Cemetery.
The Charleston News and Courier - SC - Jan 24, 1953 - Provided by:Catoe4