Stationer, printer, E&L publisher and shipping line agent, 48 High Street
Walter (‘Wattie’) Wilson was born in Liverpool but by the time he was eight his parents had moved back to his mother’s home town of Langholm.
On 3rd June 1868, at age 25, he opened a book and stationery shop at 24 High Street in the former premises of John Gray, shoemaker. Twelve years later, he moved to 48 High Street, renting a shop, printing office and upstairs apartment which had previously belonged to the trustees of Mrs Nicolas Rome nee Anderson (1819-1865), widow of Thomas Rome (1821-1859) who founded the E&L Advertiser in 1848. The Romes died very young: Thomas at age 38 and Nicolas at age 46.
In 1915, Walter Wilson’s landlord at 48 High Street was provost Thomas Easton, meaning that Walter may not have had full editorial freedom to comment on civic affairs. Thomas Easton seems to have been a forceful figure, refusing to retract accusations of vote-rigging based on hearsay against fellow-councillor Alex Montgomery despite Montgomery’s strenuous denials and resignation.
Walter Wilson’s overlapping interests provided considerable efficiencies. He could print his own stationery and place as many adverts as he wished for his stationery and printing businesses in his own E&L Advertiser.
He could also freely promote his role as as an agent for passages around the world on various shipping lines:
| Born | Liverpool, 1843 |
| Parents | John Wilson, joiner from Canonbie (1813-1871), Janet Grieve from Langholm (1810-1905) |
| Siblings | Eldest of 3 siblings |
| Marriage | Mary Byers (1837-1924), mason’s daughter, 1876, Langholm |
| Children | – |
| Died | 15 Buccleuch Square, Langholm, 1918, aged 75 |