People: Norton L.Wilson, MD

Dr. Norton L. Wilson was one of the physicians who played a key role in the early growth of the Elizabeth General Hospital and Dispensary. After the passing of Dr. James S. Green, the guiding force on the medical side, physicians like Dr. Wilson, founder Dr. Alonzo Pettit, Dr. Charles H. Schlichter, Dr. Milton A. Shangle and Dr. Green's son Dr. James S. Green, Jr., provided the medical leadership needed to take Elizabeth General into the 20th Century as one of the leading hospitals in the state and in the region.

(From "History of Union County")
Norton L. Wilson, MD is a leading representative of the medical profession of Union county, New Jersey, and is a widely-known medical man. The family is one that on the paternal side is of English origin. On the maternal side, Woodward was the family name, and the Doctor is connected with those celebrated physicians, Drs. Woodward and Pepper, of Philadelphia. Dr. Wilson was born in 1861, in the city of Elizabeth, and was educated in that noted school taught for many years by Dr. Pingry, at Elizabeth.

He was prepared for Princeton College, but owing to business reverses in his family was compelled to relinquish his classical studies and to engage for several years in mercantile business. Subsequently he became a medical student with Dr. Mack, at Elizabeth, and was graduated in 1884 from the Bellevue Medical College, in New York city. For a year he was in practice at Roselle and then opened an office at Elizabeth. He has been very active in all matters pertaining to medical advancement.

He is vice-president of the Clinical Society, is vice-president and ex-president of the County Medical Society and belongs to the Academy of Medicine, of New York city, as well as the New Jersey State Medical Society. He served as house physician and surgeon at the Elizabeth General Hospital; he was one of the staff of the Eye and Ear Infirmary, of the city of Newark, and has done a great deal of work in this particular field,—in fact he devotes nearly all his time to the diseases of the eye, ear and throat. He also does special work in this line as a member of the staff of the Elizabeth General Hospital, and was also connected with the staff of the Alexian Brothers' Hospital. He is a member of the board of health of the city of Elizabeth, and at one time was city physician. He is a trustee of the Elizabeth Public Library and is a member of the Elizabeth Athletic Club. He is married, has two children, and belongs to the Westminster Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Knights of Pythias. Dr. Wilson has rapidly risen in his profession, and is recognized as an authority in his special line of work, and also as a very able general practitioner.

This information was last reviewed or updated on November 26, 2025. Adjustments may be made to this page as new information is added, making this a continual work in progress