Simon C. Wilson

Simon Cameron Wilson (November 8, 1841 – November 27, 1886) was an American telegraph operator, Union Army infantryman, and politician who served as Mayor of Harrisburg.[1] From his youth, he worked as a telegraph operator for the Northern Central Railway, holding the position of Chief Electrician during the American Civil War for the railroad's telegraph system and eventually earning the rank of superintendent of the Baltimore Line from Harrisburg, until his retirement from the railroad in 1877.[2] During the Civil War, Wilson also held the rank of Corporal with the I Company of the 77th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment.[3]

Simon Cameron Wilson
Mayor of Harrisburg
In office 1883–1886
Preceded by	John C. Herman
Succeeded by	Samuel W. Fleming
Personal details
Born	Simon Cameron Wilson November 8, 1841 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	November 27, 1886 (45 years old)
Resting place	Harrisburg Cemetery
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Augusta M. Kamerer
Children	Edward Wilson

During the Battle of Gettysburg, following the discovered sabotaged Military Telegraph line at Hanover Junction by the Confederate cavalry earlier in the campaign, Wilson reconnected the line at the Junction and, with his own pocket telegraph and fine wire, followed the Northern Central railroad back to Gettysburg, using fence posts as telegraph poles along the route. This allowed General Meade to establish communication to Washington until the conclusion of the battle.[4]

Following his retirement, he entered politics, where he won the Republican nomination for Mayor of Harrisburg over incumbent John C. Herman on February 4, 1883, and then defeated Democratic opponent John H. Gramm in the general election on February 20, 1883.[5][6] Wilson passed away suddenly at 9pm on November 27th, 1886 from heart disease.[7]