John Wesley Emerson
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John Wesley Emerson aka J. W. Emerson was a Lawyer, Civil War Military Commander, Missouri Circuit Court Judge and the founder and principal investor of the Emerson Electric Company.
| John Wesley Emerson | |
|---|---|
| July 26, 1832 to June 20, 1899 | |
 John Wesley Emerson was a Lawyer, Civil War Major, Company Founder, and Author/ Historian. |
|
| Nickname | J.W. |
| Place of birth | Pepperell, Massachusetts |
| Place of death | Ironton, Missouri |
| Allegiance | Union Army |
| Service/branch | Missouri Volunteer Infantry |
| Years of service | 3 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | 47th Regiment of the Missouri Volunteer Infantry |
| Commands | 47th Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Pilot Knob |
| Awards | Purple Heart (2) |
| Other work | Lawyer, Company Founder, Historian |
Contents |
[edit] Early Life
Emerson was born to William and Rosannah Ellen (Young) Emerson on July 26, 1832 in Pepperell, Massachusetts.
He attended Iron City College, in Pennsylvania, and later graduated from the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, Michegan. He studied law under William M. Moffatt, a Pittsburg, Pennsylvania attorney, and was admitted to the Bar association in Missouri in 1857. He practiced law in Ironton, Missouri for the remainder of his life.
On September 12, 1855, Emerson married Sarah Maria Young, in Oswego, New York. Sarah was descended from the Young and Elsworth families of Revolutionary war fame.
[edit] Military Service
He was a volunteer aide (without rank or commission) on the staff of William "Bull" Nelson at the Battle of Richmond, Ky. in 1862, where he was reportedly wounded.
In 1863, he was commissioned by Missouri Governor Hamilton R. Gamble. He was given the rank of Colonel in the 68th Regiment of the Enrolled Missouri Militia, which was subsequently disbanded.
In 1864, he enlisted in the 47th Regiment of the Missouri Volunteer Infantry. His intial rank was Private. Soon he was commissioned Major of the regiment.
The 47th was involved in the Battle of Pilot Knob in September of 1864. In October, he was tasked by General Rosecrans to reopen the Iron Mountain Railroad from St. Louis, Missouri to Pilot Knob. In this mission he was again wounded in Battle.
in 1865 Emerson's Regiment was ordered to assist General Thomas Welsh, at Nashville, Tennessee. His regiment pursued General Hood as far as Alabama, capturing more than 1000 prisoners. Emerson was in command of the regiment through the end of the war.
[edit] After the war
Emerson resumed his law practice at Ironton, and was appointed to the Judgeship of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court, which he eventually resigned. After leaving the bench, he was appointed by President Grover Cleveland to the United States Marshall for the Eastern District of Missouri. He served in this capacity for four years.
[edit] Emerson Electric Company
In 1890, Emerson met two Scottish orphans, Alexander and Charles Meston, who wanted to manufacture electrical and mechanical devices. He provided $50,000 start-up capital and lent his name to a new corporation creating the “Emerson Electric Manufacturing Company”, and served as the company’s first President from 1890 to 1892.
In 1892, Emerson retired, selling his interest in Emerson Electric to Herbert L. Parker, a former railroad executive.
[edit] Later Life
Emerson became a Civil War Historian. He joined the Missouri Commandery of Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and wrote a history of General Grant's campaign in the Mississippi Valley.
Emerson died on June 20, 1899 in Ironton, Missouri.
[edit] See Also
[edit] References
- Missouri Commandery of the MOLLUS, Circular No. 195, November 4, 1899.
- Encyclopedia of the History of Missouri by Conard Vol.3, c1901, p.377-378.
- Emerson Electric Co., A Century of Manufacturing, 1890-1990, c1990, P.6.
- Membership Records of the Missouri Commandery of the MOLLUS.
- Loyal Legion Vignettes
- Emerson Electric Company Webpage
