Benton Co., AR - Biographies - James M. Wilks

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History of Benton County BENTON COUNTY.

James M. Wilks is a native of the "Hoosier" State, born in 1835, and is
a son of John and Elizabeth (Fields) Wilks. The father was born in
Tennessee, and came to Indiana in the very early settlement of the
State, and settled down to farming, but, thinking he could better his
fortunes, he moved to Illinois in 1865, and in 1868 concluded to try
Illinois. In 1872, however, he moved back to Illinois, and there died
in 1878, leaving seven children: Henry, Jasper N., Andrew S., Edward,
Francis M., Margaret and James M. The latter was educated in Illinois,
and remained with his father until he attained man's estate. Owing to
ill health he returned to Missouri in 1882, and followed the occupation
of farming for two years, when he engaged in general merchandising, but
met with reverses by fire in 1886, being burned out, and again returned
to farming. A year later he again opened a general mercantile
establishment, and is still engaged in that line of business. His stock
is valued at $1,000, and he has a fair and increasing trade. In 1856
his marriage with Miss Mary A. Poe, of Iowa, was celebrated, and their
union resulted in the birth of three children: John A., who is in
partnership with his father; Francis M. and Frances Elizabeth. Mr.
Wilks and family are among the esteemed citizens of the county, and are
worshipers in the Christian Church.