WILKIN, John - 1890 Bio (1804-1894)

WILKIN, MOSES, STEVENSON, NICHOLSON

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/4/2007 at 19:38:28

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 548 and 553

John WILKIN, one of the pioneers of Jefferson County, residing on section 28, Buchanan Township, and an enterprising farmer, was born on the banks of the river Thies in Yorkshire, England, on the Duke of Northumberland's estate, May 7, 1804, and his parents were Robert and Ann (MOSES) WILKIN. In early life his father learned the drug business and to operations in that line ever after devoted the greater part of his attention. His grandfather was a servant to the Duke of Northumberland, and when he became too old to work longer was provided with a comfortable home in which he spent his last days. The mother of our subject was a granddaughter of one of the leading merchants of Stockton. His father traveled as collector for a wholesale drug house for some time and after residing in London for many years removed to Glasgow, Scotland.

Our subject was the fourth child in a family of five children, numbering two sons and three daughters. He received a good education and made such rapid advancement that before he was twelve years of age he had studied both Latin and Greek. When a lad of fourteen years he commenced to learn the cabinet maker's trade at which he served until attaining his majority. Having worked for some time in neighboring towns, he then went to Liverpool, where he was employed for three years. He was in that city at the time when the Duke of Northumberland was discharged from the position of Lord Lieutenant of England, and his servants, among whom were an uncle, an aunt and two cousins of our subject, passed through Liverpool to London and Mr. WILKIN rode one of the Duke's horses. In 1835, accompanied by his mother and sister with her husband, Robert STEVENSON, he sailed for the United States, and at length arriving safely on the shores of the New World made his way to Utica, N. Y., where he worked for a short time at his trade but the cold weather came on and hearing such unfavorable reports of the severity of the winters in that region, he determined to go further south and made a location in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he lived some six years. Wishing to marry, but afraid he could not support a wife, he asked his employer how long he could give him work and on receiving the reply that he could have employment as long as he wished it, the question was soon solved and in Cincinnati he led to the marriage altar Miss Beatrice NICHOLSON, who was born in Yorkshire, near Leeds, England. Miss NICHOLSON was a dressmaker in the city of London, and became acquainted with Mr. WILKIN when she was on a visit to friends in Essex. She came to America about a month later than Mr. WILKIN and lived for a time at Waterville, N. Y., but at the time of her marriage was engaged in dressmaking in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her father was a prominent farmer and stock-raiser in the old country where he spent his entire life. His wife however came to America accompanied by two sons and two daughters, but a fifth child continued to reside in the old country.

In the spring of 1839, Mr. WILKIN purchased three horses and accompanied by two brothers-in-law started for Central Illinois, but on arriving at their destination found land so high in that region that they continued their journey westward to Jefferson County, Iowa. Here Mr. WILKIN made a claim in Lockridge Township, and the following year brought his family to the home which he had prepared. He fixed up his cabin and had but just moved into it when his wife was called to her final rest, dying in March, 1841. She left three children, James, who died in early life; Jennie, now at home, and Beatrice who died at the age of forty-two years. The mother was a member of the Episcopalian Church, to which denomination Mr. WILKIN also belonged.

In a financial sense Mr. WILKIN has prospered since his arrival in Jefferson County. The unbroken land he plowed and planted, made improvements and to-day is the owner of a good farm of ninety-two and one-half acres which yields him a golden tribute for the care and cultivation which he bestows upon it. In his political affiliations, he was for some time a Republican but for the past twenty years has supported the Democratic party. He held the office of Township Clerk of Lockridge Township, and is esteemed as an upright and valued citizen and as a worthy progressive farmer who takes a deep interest in the progress of his county and who is always willing to aid in its advancement. More than half a century has passed since he first located a claim. He lived for seven years under the territorial government of Iowa and has made his home in the State during its entire existence as such. When he came, Indian wigwams marked the site of many a white man's home of to-day and the work of civilization seemed scarcely begun, and it is to the pioneers that the greatest credit is due for the wonderful progress which has been made by Iowa and her people.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.