Philip R. Wilkinson (1971)

WILKINSON, DAVIS, NEWLON, PATTIE, WELLS

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart (email)
Date: 1/17/2006 at 20:47:39

PHILLIP R. WILKINSON
Noted Local Jurist Dies

Winterset Madisonian
April 7, 1971

Judge Phillip R. Wilkinson of Winterset, member of a pioneer family in Madison county, and a distinguished member of the bar in this community for 60 years, died Thursday, April 1 (1971), at Memorial hospital here. He was 92 years of age.

Judge Wilkinson was born in Winterset Sept. 30, 1878, and was a life-long resident of this community. He was a son of Judge A. W. and Helen R. Davis Wilkinson. His family settled in Madison County in 1846, and his father was a distinguished Winterset lawyer and jurist before him.

Judge Wilkinson retired Jan. 1, 1964, after 16 years as judge of the fifth Iowa judicial district, equalling the career of his father, who also had served 16 years on the district court bench.

He attended the University of Iowa, graduated from the Drake university law school, and was admitted to the Iowa bar, in 1902. He started legal practice in Winterset Jan. 1, 1903, in partnership with his father. This partnership continued until his father's death in 1925. From 1928 until 1939 he practiced law with Leo C. Percival. After the latter's death in 1939, he practiced alone until his appointment as district court judge in December, 1947.

Judge Wilkinson retired Jan. l, 1964, after 60 years in the legal profession and 16 years on the district court bench. During those active years he had also served as Winterset city attorney for four years, and as county attorney for six years.

Judge Wilkinson was married July 4, 1906, to Lida Newlon. Her death occurred Nov. 16, 1959.

He was a member of Trinity Episcopal church of Winterset, and had been a member of the Masonic Order since 1902.

Surviving are his daughter, Mrs. J. W. Pattie of Marshalltown; a grandson, James P. Pattie of Burnsville, Minn.; a grandaughter, Mrs. Donald Wells of Liverpool, N.Y.; and two great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Monday from Collins Funeral home, conducted by the Rev. R. James Larsen. Burial was made in the Winterset cemetery.