Profile Text
Birth Name: Jeremiah Jones Colbath
Date of Birth: February 16, 1812
Place of Birth: Farmington, New Hampshire, U.S.
Date of Death: November 22, 1875
Place of Death: Washington, District of Columbia, U.S.
Ethnicity: English, some Northern Irish
Henry Wilson was an American politician. A Republican, he served as Vice President of the United States , from March 4, 1873 to November 22, 1875, his death. He was elected to the position in 1872 . He was also President of the Massachusetts Senate, from January 2, 1851 to January 6, 1853, a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, from January 31, 1855 to March 3, 1873, and Chair of the Senate Military Affairs Committee, from March 4, 1861 to March 3, 1873. He was a member of the Whig Party until 1848, a member and founder of the Free Soil Party, from 1848 to 1854, a member of the Know Nothing Party, from 1854 to 1855, and a member of the Republican Party subsequently.
Vice President Wilson was born Jeremiah Jones Colbath, the son of Abigail and Winthrop Colbath. When he was twenty one, he changed his name to Henry Wilson. He was married to Harriet Malvina Howe, until her death, with whom he had two children.
Vice President Wilson’s paternal grandfather was Winthrop Colbath (the son of James Colbath and Olive Leighton). Winthrop was born in New Hampshire. James was the son of George Coolbroth and Mary Pitman, who were from Ulster, Ireland. Olive was the daughter of Thomas Leighton and Deborah Bunker.
Vice President Wilson’s paternal grandmother was named Eleanor Walker.
Vice President Wilson’s maternal grandfather was surnamed Witham.
Sources: Genealogy of Henry Wilson – https://www.findagrave.com
Genealogy of Henry Wilson (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com