Gaston, Joseph. "Portland, Oregon Its History and Builders." Vol. 3. Chicago and Portland, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911. p. 16. ROBERT BRUCE WILSON M. D. Robert Bruce Wilson, eminent physician and surgeon, honored pioneer, educator and prominent factor in Portland's early development, was a native of Portsmouth, Virginia, born June 12, 1828. His early education was gained in the schools of his native city. He studied medicine at the University of Virginia and after graduation supplemented his college course by service in the hospitals of Philadelphia. In 1849 he was attracted to California by the gold excitement of that year. Settling in San Francisco, he engaged in practice for about six months, when he accepted the position of ship surgeon on the steamer, Gold Hunter, plying between San Francisco and the Columbia river. In December, 1850, he came to Portland and being impressed with its future possibilities, decided to locate here permanently. From the date of his arrival, Dr. Wilson labored most industriously in his profession, built up a large practice in Portland and gained as well an enviable reputation throughout the state and the northwest. He was the first physician of distinguished ability and education to settle in and grow up with the city. Personally he was a fine type of the cultured southern gentleman. He was for many years looked upon as the dean of the medical fraternity and was a potent factor in the social and civic life of early Portland. His activities covered a period of thirty seven consecutive years with the exception of three years, which he spent in an extended tour of travel and research in Great Britain and Europe. Dr. Wilson married in 1854, Miss Caroline E. Couch, the eldest daughter of Captain John H. Couch, and they became the parents of seven children, three sons and four daughters: Dr. Holt C. and Dr. George F., prominent Portland physicians, Mary Carrie, wife of Walter J. Burns; Virginia; Clementine; Maria Louise; and Robert Bruce. Dr. Wilson died August 5, 1887. His was the satisfaction of having lived to see Portland grow from the struggling frontier village as he found it to a prosperous and beautiful modern city and to feel a just pride in having contributed in no small degree to its transformation. The loss of few of the city's pioneers has been more acutely felt or more sincerely regretted. This same biography also appears in the book: "Portland The Rose City, Pictorial and Biographical" S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.; Various compilers; 1911 Vol. 1, p 443 ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2013 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.