John Sydenham Wilson

Dr. John Sydenham Wilson was born in Pennsylvania in 1856, the son of Dr. Nathaniel Chapman Wilson, a physician who moved the family to Texas in 1865. He was educated at Columbus and received his medical training in Kansas City. He practiced only briefly; impaired health led him to leave medicine at the age of 25, and he spent the rest of his working life in the drug business. He was a man of unusual literary attainments, proficient in Latin and Greek, and popular in social circles. In 1881 he married Mary S. Kelly of Karnes County. Of their three children, one survived him: Dr. Roy D. Wilson, who practiced medicine in Houston from 1908.

He received his degrees in Gray Lodge No. 329 in 1889: the Entered Apprentice on April 23, the Fellowcraft on August 28, and the Master Mason degree on November 12. He rose quickly, serving as Junior Deacon in 1890–1891, Senior Deacon in 1891–1892 and Senior Warden in 1892–1893. Illness kept him from being installed with the other officers, and he was installed as Master on August 2, 1893, by Past Master J. R. Cade, assisted by Past Master D. E. Bloxsom. At the same time he presided as High Priest of Washington Chapter No. 2, R. A. M., and he received the Order of High Priesthood on December 6, 1893.

His year in the East fell during the Panic of 1893. The lodge cut expenses, yet still repaired and painted its room, and it received a “Myrtle Gavel” from Chadwick Lodge No. 68 in Coquille, Oregon. A check of a single stated and called meeting in January 1894 found visitors from Florida, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, Oregon, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Maryland and Scotland.

He served the Grand Lodge of Texas as Grand Tiler in 1892–1893 and Senior Grand Steward in 1893–1894, and as District Deputy Grand Master of the 12th Masonic District in 1894–1895 and 1895–1896. He was created a Knight Templar on May 27, 1891, and served as Eminent Commander of Ruthven Commandery No. 2 in 1896.

He was also a leader in the Scottish Rite, serving San Jacinto Lodge of Perfection as Junior Warden in 1894 and as Venerable Master in 1895 and 1896. He became a charter member of Houston Chapter of Rose Croix on August 31, 1896, and was its first Wise Master, serving in 1896 and 1897 and again in 1900. He was the first member of the Houston Scottish Rite Bodies to receive the 33°, and the only one coroneted before 1900.

He died on September 12, 1909. The funeral service of a Knight Kadosh of the Scottish Rite was performed at midnight, and on September 14 Gray Lodge buried him with Masonic honors in Glenwood Cemetery.