Wilson, Henry. An American senator. Born in Farmington, NH, in 1812, of poor parents. Received scanty education, and was taught the trade of shoemaker. Elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives by the Whig Party in 1840, he there became a prominent anti-slavery advocate, and largely contributed to the formation of the Free-Soil Party in 1848. In 1855 he succeeded Edward Everett as United States senator, and became one of the leaders of the Republican Party. In 1872 he was nominated by the Republican Convention, a candidate for the vice-presidency of the United States, and was elected. Died 1875.

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