Biographical Sketch of John M. Gilkeson, Johnson County, Missouri, Hazel Hill Township. >From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell, Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918. ********************************************************************** John M. Gilkeson, proprietor of "Mount Sinai Stock Farm," is one of the most industrious and progressive farmers and stockmen of Hazel Hill township. He was born in Warrensburg in 1870 at the Gilkeson home on West Gay street, a son of Archibald H. and Mary J. Gilkeson. Archibald H. Gilkeson was born in Virginia in 1830. He was one of the pioneer merchants of Warrensburg, in which city he opened a mercantile estab- lishment in 1859 and for more than forty years was active in the busi- ness affairs of Warrensburg. To Mr. and Mrs. Archibald H. Gilkeson were born five children, all of whom were reared to maturity and are now living: Mrs. W. L. Hedges, Warrensburg, Missouri; Dr. H. P. Gilke- son, Warrensburg, Missouri; Mrs. Cora Menefee, of Oklahoma; John M., the subject of this review; and A. L., who is a leading merchant of Grangeville, Idaho. The father died in 1911 and interment was made in the cemetery at Warrensburg. He was an honest, upright, capable citi- zen, who was well known and respected in Warrensburg. "Mount Sinai Stock Farm" comprises five hundred acres of land, which lie at the heads of Honey and Walnut creeks, and is generally conceded to be one of the very finest farms in the county. This tract of land was entered from the government by Samuel Cornet and from him was transferred to Simpson Brown. The Johnson county Savings Bank obtained the farm from Mr. Brown and the bank sold it to Mr. Gilkeson in 1894. All the splen- did improvements on the place have been placed there by Mr. Gilkeson. He has built three large stock barns, which are well equipped with modern appliances. The residence is an imposing structure of ten rooms constructed with a concrete basement, large porches, and supplied with the latest conveniences. It is modern throughout and well lighted by an acetylene plant. Mr. Gilkeson has tiled all the low land on his farm and has given much time and attention to improving the soil. The place is exceptionally well watered by six excellent springs, which furnish water for every field. All the fields are fenced with "hog- tight" wire fencing and the past season of 1917 Mr. Gilkeson had one hundred twenty-five acres of the farm in wheat, one hundred twenty-five acres of corn, and the balance in pasture land and grass. He employed three assistants and he and his son, Jack E., managed the farm work very successfully. For the last four years, John M. Gilkeson has hand- led Shorthorn cattle, mules and hogs. Recently he disposed of his entire herd of cattle. He has the distinction of having sold the first carload of mules ever shipped from Johnson county, that brought two hundred fifty dollars a head. The mules were purchased by Mr. Gilkeson when they were colts and fed for the market. He has been one of the most widely known and extensive buyers and feeders in this county. He is an earnest advocate of vaccination for hog cholera and he, himself, double treated his first hogs with vaccine and when he buys hogs from different parts of the county, he invariably vaccinates them, making them immune from cholera before shipping. Mr. Gilkeson thinks that the day is not far distant when hog cholera will be unknown, having been eliminated by vaccination. It is his present plant to devote more attention in the future to general farming and he has purchased a trac- tor for ploughing, harrowing and other farm work. He said, "Put me down as a farmer, a producer. That is what I am and what I wish to be." John M. Gilkeson is a true producer, a successful and highly intelligent farmer. He raises stock and feeds them well from the grain and feed which he produces on the farm. October 15, 1895, John M. Gilkeson and Ella Markey, daughter of Amost Markey, of Centerview town- ship, were united in marriage and to this union have been born two children: Helena, who is a student at the Warrensburg State Normal School; and Jack E., who is also a student at the Warrensburg State Normal School. The Gilkeson family are well known and prominent in Johnson county. they have long been enrolled among the best and most respected citizens of this section of the state. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: <> Penny (Eisenbarger) Harrell ====================================================================