James Wilson

James Wilson was born on February 20, 1787, in Dergalt, County Tyrone, in what was then the Kingdom of Ireland. This region is now part of Northern Ireland. He emigrated to the United States during his youth and settled in Philadelphia. In Philadelphia, Wilson began his career as a printer, working at the office of the Aurora, a newspaper aligned with Jeffersonian principles and edited by William Duane. Wilson advanced within the newspaper's ranks, ultimately serving as foreman, publisher, and editor.

Wilson later moved to Steubenville, Ohio, where he purchased the Western Herald newspaper. He changed the newspaper's name to the Western Herald & Steubenville Gazette. His involvement in journalism extended to founding the Pennsylvania Advocate in 1832, a newspaper based in Pittsburgh. He owned and edited the Pennsylvania Advocate for approximately one year before transferring ownership to his eldest son, William Duane Wilson.

In addition to his journalistic pursuits, James Wilson participated in politics. He served three terms in the Ohio House of Representatives, representing Jefferson County. His terms included the years 1816–1817, 1820–1821, and 1821–1822. Although he was not trained as a lawyer, Wilson served as an associate judge for the Jefferson County common pleas court for several years.

Wilson married Ann Adams in Philadelphia in 1808. Both were of Scotch-Irish descent. They had a total of ten children—seven sons and three daughters. Their youngest son, Joseph Ruggles Wilson, was born in Steubenville in 1822. Joseph Ruggles Wilson later became a preacher and educator, and he was the father of Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States.

James Wilson died in Steubenville on October 17, 1850, from an attack of cholera. His contributions to journalism and politics were recognized posthumously when he was inducted into the Ohio Journalism Hall of Fame in 1933.