In 1889, Samuel B. Wilson died and his own fine monument, also topped with a full figure, is likewise visible from this point. While not as imposing as that of Lewis Taylor, it is a splendid in memorial to a well-known Beaver Resident. Mr. Wilson's monument bears these words: "One of the Founders and First President of Phi Gamma Delta." He was one of the 8 students at Jefferson College (now Washington and Jefferson), from which he graduated in 1848, who founded this national Greek letter fraternity. We understand that Mr. Wilson's fine monument was provided by the fraternity, which also provided the same monument for each of the other seven founders.
Wilson was born on a farm near New Castle, Pa. in 1824, the son of Patrick and Rebecca Morehead Wilson. "Sam B." as he was called by his associates, graduated from Jefferson College in June 1848, standing among the first in his class. Shortly after graduation, he was chosen principal of Darlington Academy, which position he held until the fall of 1849, when he went to Somerset, Pa. to study law in the office of Jeremiah S. Black, President Judge of the 16th Judicial District of Pa. He was admittted to the Bar in November 1850 and immediately thereafter came to Beaver, where he was admitted to practice in the local courts. He soon acquired a lucrative practice. The 1888 History of Beaver County contains his biography, undoubtedly written by Sam B. himself, which states that his earnings for professional services had perhaps been greater in amount than those of any other resident lawyer who had at any time practiced in the Beaver Bar ... quite an accomplishment!
We will be discussing many lawyers today who were included because of their political, military or business accomplishments.. But "Sam B." is honored solely because of his commanding position as a prominent County-seat lawyer, which he held with increasing power until his death in 1889. He never engaged in politics, his only goal being to become a thorough scholar and an honest and successful lawyer. His record in that regard speaks for itself. A contemporary said of Samuel B. Wilson: "His learning is sufficient to enable him to realize the comparative littleness of all human achievements. He has outlived the ambition of display before courts and juries. He loves justice, law and peace." What more could we ask of a Beaver lawyer?