Oren Elbridge Wilson

Oren Elbridge Wilson (October 10, 1844 – March 2, 1917) was an American businessman and politician from Albany, New York. A Republican, he served in local offices in Albany before becoming mayor.

A native of Boston, Wilson was raised and educated in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and attended Clinton Liberal Institute in the village of Clinton, New York. He attended Columbia Law School, but left before graduating to become an accountant with a New York City dry goods company. When the company relocated to Albany, Wilson settled there, and he rose to become the company's manager.

Wilson was active in local politics as a Republican, and served in offices including member of the school board and school board chairman. He was also a civic activist, including service as a manager and trustee of the Albany YMCA. In 1894, he was the successful Republican candidate for mayor and he served from May 1894 to December 1895.

After leaving office, Wilson pursued a career as manager of the Fidelity and Casualty Company of Chicago. He died at the Manhattan home of his daughter on March 2, 1917. Wilson was interred at Albany Rural Cemetery.

Early life Oren E. Wilson was born in Boston, Massachusetts on October 10, 1844, the son of Thomas Wilson, a building contractor, and Louisa (Manson) Wilson. He was raised in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where he attended the local schools.

Career After leaving law school, Wilson joined the New York City dry goods firm of Whitney & Myers as the confidential secretary of senior partner William M. Whitney. He was also a civic activist, and was both manager and a trustee of the Albany-area YMCA. He served from May 1894 to December 1895, and his administration was notable for improvements to the city's water filtration plant and pumping system, as well as an expansion of the city's paid fire department.

Wilson maintained his involvement in politics after leaving office. In 1896, he supported William McKinley for president and was a member of New York's McKinley League.

Later life After serving as mayor, Wilson's business ventures included becoming an original incorporator of the company formed to bring electric lighting to Yonkers, New York. In 1911, he moved to Chicago, where he worked for several years as manager of the Fidelity and Casualty Company. His funeral took place in Manhattan, and he was buried at Albany Rural Cemetery.

Family In 1867, Wilson married Martha Emma Brooks, with whom he had four children, one of whom lived to adulthood.

John Boyd Thacher (Democrat), 11,104 William J. Walker (Republican), 6,767 Oren Elbridge Wilson (Fusion), 3,253