Wapello County IA Archives Biographies.....Wilkins, Stephen 1836 - 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ia/iafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 July 14, 2013, 10:28 pm

Source: See Below
Author: S. J. Clarke, Publisher

STEPHEN WILKINS.

For many years Stephen Wilkins contributed toward the agricultural development
of Wapello county, where he still lives on the farm of one hundred and sixty
acres in Keokuk township, which he has given to his children and where he is
enjoying a life of ease won by former toil. He was born in Perry county, Ohio,
February 29, 1836, a son of Ezekiel and Rebecca (Owens) Wilkins, both of Scotch
ancestry. The paternal grandfather of our subject served in the Revolutionary
war and his record was emulated by his grandson Stephen, who helped to defend
the Union in the great strife between north and south. The parents came to
Wapello county in 1856, the father settling on a farm to the cultivation of
which he devoted the remainder of his days, both he and his wife dying there.
They were the parents of nine children, of whom four have passed away. The
living ones are: Stephen, of this review; G. W, of Clarke county, Iowa; Sarah
Ann, of Nebraska; Rebecca, who married W. H. Robinson of Wapello county; and
Mrs. Susanna Loy.

Stephen Wilkins was reared and passed his boyhood under the parental roof in
Ohio, attending the schools of his home district. He came with his parents to
this county and remained at home until his marriage in 1857. He turned his
attention to farming, renting for two years, at the end of which time he was
enabled to buy the farm on which he now lives. On February 1, 1862, he enlisted
for service in the Civil war, joining Company D, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, and
remaining with the colors for three years. He participated in the first battle
of Shiloh and also was present at Corinth. He took part in all of the conflicts
and skirmishes in which his regiment was engaged, numbering in all over one
hundred and sixty, always excelling on account of faithfulness to duty and
commendable gallantry. He was three times wounded and still carries a rebel
bullet in his right thigh. He was mustered out at Davenport, returning
subsequently to his wife and family. For many years he continued in the
operation of his farm, which he made one of the most profitable of his
neighborhood. All his fields were brought into high cultivation, and he erected
substantial buildings and installed modern machinery, directing his enterprise
in a judicious manner and receiving a gratifying income therefrom. He now lives
practically retired and has deeded his farm to his children, their possession
beginning upon his death.

On October 1, 1857, Mr. Wilkins married Miss Margaret Buchanan, who was born in
Indiana and is a daughter of Samuel and Sarah J. (Toller) Buchanan, the former
born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Indiana. Of their family <>f six children
two are now living. Mr. Buchanan removed from Indiana to Jasper county,
Illinois, and in 1855 came to Wapello county, where he and his wife both passed
away. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins became the parents of four children: Sarah Jane,
deceased; one who died in infancy; George W., who farms in Keokuk township; and
Minnie, the wife of John F. Watts, an agriculturist of Keokuk township. The
parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and devoted to its work.

Mr. Wilkins is a republican, thoroughly interested in the progress of his
township, in which he has held all of the offices. He also has held a position
on the district school board. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Lodge No. 272, and has filled all the chairs
in the local organization. He also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, by
which means he keeps in contact with the soldier boys in blue who defended the
flag in the greatest of our wars. Mr. Wilkins enjoys in full measure the respect
and esteem of all who know him. He has now passed his seventy-eighth birthday,
yet he is hale and hearty, and greatly enjoys taking his rifle and going
hunting. He is thoroughly conversant with the questions and issues of the day
and takes an interest in all matters that affect his community and county.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY IOWA
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1914



File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ia/wapello/bios/wilkins865gbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/iafiles/

File size: 4.8 Kb