The WILKERSON Family

WILKERSON, FAIRES, CONNER, GRAHAM, HEAD, SWINK, WYSONG, AUSTIN, ROUTH, WRIGHT, SAVILLE OR SEVILLE, SHAW, HOWLAND, BOURMAN, ROBISON, SWINDELL, CLARK, CHANDLER, PETREE, SWARTZ, HARDING, REECE, DYCKE, TORRANCE, DOUGHTERTY

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 7/25/2009 at 06:33:18

Western Star
Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio
November 4, 1948

THE WILKERSON FAMILY

The WILKERSON family held a sesquicentennial celebration at Spring Hill, in Warren County [Ohio] when they dedicated a marker commemorating the settling of the area by forebears in 1798.

Land, 2000 acres of it, was acquired by James WILKERSON, Sr., first of the family to move to pioneer Ohio, for services performed under Gen. George WASHINGTON in the Revolutionary War. He was the founder of the settlement of Spring Hill.

Since then many generations have descended from the family which came to the virgin Northwest Territory 150 years ago. Among them was his son, James, Jr., who named the Christy steamboat and compiled a fortune in St. Louis. Another son, William, was a soldier in the French and Indian War.

Later, George WILKERSON was a captain in the Union army in the Civil War. John WILKERSON, as the West opened, discovered and named the Wilkerson Pass in the Continental Divide near Colorado Springs, on Highway 24.

A John WILKERSON was born in Boone's Fort, Kentucky, during Indian raids. He married Elizabeth "Libby" FAIRES, a native of Virginia and they had a son, John, Jr. [born November 1818/20, Warren Co. Ohio], who married [1840] Ann CONNER, a native of Delaware, in 1840. They resided in Warren and Clinton Counties, Ohio, near Spring Hill. There to John, Jr. and Ann (CONNER) WILKERSON [born in Delaware in 1820, the daughter of J. CONNER], twelve children were born, eight sons and four daughters. The oldest child, Frank, was born February 10, 1842, and the youngest, Thomas, July 25, 1865.

When the second son, John W., was mustered out at the close of the GRANT and SHERMAN campaigns of the Civil War in 1865, he returned to his father's home in Ohio, after three years of very intensive service for the Union. The family then decided to move to Missouri, where two CONNER uncles had settled before the war. The four oldest sons, Frank, John W., David F., and James H. rode horseback from Ohio into Missouri, bringing eight horses to begin farming. [Horses at the close of the Civil War were scarce.] The parents and eight younger children came by train arriving in the early fall of 1865, and settled south and west of Savannah in an area then known as Hackberry Ridge [Rochester Township of Andrew Country, Missouri]. About 1875, the parents and several of the younger members moved to the Rochester-Helena area where they married and established homes.

Three of the sons became long-time school teachers: John W. at Savannah, James H. at Fillmore and Rosendale and as county commissioner for two terms. Sanford taught for 20 years in Andrew and around Savannah. John W. went from Savannah to the Grant City [Missouri] school and then to Mount Ayr, Iowa, giving 44 years to Education. The oldest son, Frank, returned to Ohio in 1867, married there, and the family was not reunited until 1908, when a reunion was held at the fair grounds in Union Star, where six of the first family then resided.

All of the first generation are now deceased at an average of 79 years but have left many descendants residing in Andrew and DeKalb Counties. Living now in Polk Township are Bruce WILKERSON, Alberta (WILKERSON) GRAHAM, Marion WILKERSON, Dennis WILKERSON and his two children, Jerry and Anita, Burnice HEAD, Verna (SWINK) WILKERSON, widow of Lloyd WILKERSON who passed away in 1963.

John WILKERSON died at his home in Rochester Township, Andrew County, Missouri, at the age of 69 years in 1888 and was interred in the Savannah Cemetery near Connor's site, Savannah, Andrew County, Missouri.

THE TWELVE CHILDREN OF THE WILKERSON FAMILY
1. Francis "Frank" Marion WILKERSON, farmer

born 10 Feb 1842, Warren or Clinton Co. OH; died 21 Mar 1920, Warren Co. OH

Private with Company F, 14th Kentucky Cavalry, 12 Aug 1862 - 14 Feb 1863)

Frank and Eliza interred I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Clarksville, Union Co. OH

married 31 Dec 1866 Eliza C. WYSONG of Clarksville (1845-1920); 3 children:

1. Rose WILKERSON

born 1867; died 1939, Clinton Co. OH, interment I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Clarksville OH

2. Seren WILKERSON

born 1872; died 1948, Clinton Co. OH, interment I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Clarksville OH

3. Agatha WILKERSON

2. John W. WILKERSON

born 19 Jul 1843, Warren or Clinton Co. OH; died 14 Jan 1932, Mount Ayr IA

interment Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa

Private in Company G, 79th Ohio Infantry from 06 Aug 1862 to 15 Jun 1865

NOTE: Pvt. WILKERSON's first call to military duty was across the Ohio River in the driving of BRAGG's Army out of Kentucky. He did guard duty at Nashville and then went to Chattanooga. From there on the 5th day of May, 1864, he entered on the Atlanta Campaign and took part in SHERMAN's March to the Sea, one of the most wonderful feats of the War. He had part in liberating many of those confined in the notorious prisons at Andersonville and in the successful capture of Savannah, Georgia. From there he came back with the Army to Richmond where he shared in the successful conclusion of the War. Marching on to Washington, he was in SHERMAN's and GRANT's Revue, which took place on May 24 and 25, 1865. Returning to Camp Dennison he was mustered out about the 15th of June, 1865, and returned home after a varied and hard experience during his three years of service. He often referred to the experiences and was most loyal and enthusiastic in his support of the Government. In 1909, due to failing health, he gave up his educational work and spent winters in the South. John received a license of Local Minister, and he frequently preached in the protestant churches of Mt. Ayr.

educator in Savannah MO, Grant City MO; Principal of Mt. Ayr IA schools

Protestant minister of Mt. Ayr IA

married Lydia M. AUSTIN, born 09 Sep 1837, Harrodsburg OH; died 21 Sep 1883, Savannah MO

John W. and Lydia were the parents of 3 children:

1. Federal Judge James Herbert Wilkerson of Chicago

born 1870 MO; died 30 Sep 1948, Glencoe, Cook Co. IL

assessed Standard Oil Case of 1907 and sentenced Al CAPONE

married Mary ROUTH; 4 sons

2. Kate (WILKERSON) WRIGHT, husband was a Presbyterian minister

3. Ernest WILKERSON, born 1875 MO; married Libbie M. SAVILLE or SEVILLE

NOTE: There is an Edmond WILKERSON, born 1863; died 01 May 1916, interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Iowa, in a lot next to John W. WILKERSON's lot.

3. David Farris WILKERSON

born 20 Feb 1845, Warren or Clinton Co. OH; died 14 Oct 1921, Andrew Co. MO; farmer

married 1869 Adelia SHAW (1850-1926); 7 children:

1. Rupert Garland WILKERSON, born 03 Feb 1871, Savannah MO;died Sep 1935, Savannah MO

married 11 Nov 1900 Ada Viola HOWLAND (1900-1965)

Rupert and Ada interred Savannah Cemetery, Savannah MO

Rupert and Ada were the parents of 5 children:

1. Raymond Edmond WILKERSON of Atchison KS

2. Elizabeth Adelia WILKERSON of Fremont NE

3. Virgil Harrison WILKERSON of Chillicothe MO

4. Neva Corrine WILKERSON

5. Garland H. WILKERSON, died 1914

2. Ruby E. (WILKERSON) BOURMAN, born 11 May 1877, Andrew Co. MO

3. Robert WILKERSON, born Jan 1879 MO; died Nov 1905, Andrew Co. MO

from skating injury when 12-years-old; interment Savannah Cemetery

4. Lavesta R. "Vesta" (WILKERSON) FAIRES, born Nov 1880 MO

5. Sanford WILKERSON, born 1881 MO

6. LeRoy D. "Roy" WILKERSON, born Mar 1886 MO

7. Clarence E. WILKERSON, born Jun 1894 MO; died 1969

married Bessie Violet ROBISON (1895-1977)

Clarence and Bessie interred Savannah Cemetery, Savannah MO

Clarence and Bessie WILKERSON were the parents of 6 children:

1. Frances (WILKERSON) SWINDELL of Kansas City MO

2. Myrna (WILKERSON) CLARK of Helena MO

3. Marion WILKERSON of Union Star MO

4. Carolyn (WILKERSON) CHANDLER of St. Joseph MO

5. Rex WILKERSON, died before 1969

6. Richard WILKERSON, K.I.A. in France, WWII

4. James Henry WILKERSON

born 24 Jan 1847, Clinton Co. OH; died 06 Jan 1923, Miami FL

Private with Company G. 1st OH Heavy Artillery Reg., enlisted 21 Apr 1863

transferred to Regiment RC 15 Jun 1864; mustered out 10 Jan 1866

farmer & educator, Andrew Co. MO Commissioner; superintendent Rosendale MO Schools

justice of the peace

interment Savannah Cemetery, Savannah, Andrew Co. MO

married 1st 08 Mar 1874, Andrew Co. MO Lettie J. PETREE (1853-1916), interment Savannah Cem.

James and Lettie were the parents of 5 children:

1. Hallie WILKERSON, born Nov 1873; married W. S. SWARTZ; residence: Savannah MO

2. Clyde O. WILKERSON, born Jul 1876 MO; died 1958; of Rosendale MO

3. Edna WILKERSON, born 15 Nov 1883; married Leo HARDING; residence: Miami FL

4. Lula B. WILKERSON, born circa 1884 MO; married C. Arthur FAIRES; residence: Rosendale MO

5. Irene WILKERSON, born 15 May 1896 MO; married S. L. REECE; residence: Savannah MO

James married 2nd 1918, Andrew Co. MO Sarah Lucinda (DYCKE) REECE (1858-1936)

James and Sarah did not have children. Sarah interred Lower Neely Cemetery.

5. Vincent C. WILKERSON

born 20 Feb 1849, Warren Co. OH; died 28 Nov 1935, Union Star, DeKalb Co. MO; farmer

married 22 Feb 1877 Mary Atha TORRANCE of Springfield IL (?-1926)

Vincent and Mary interred Union Star Cemetery, DeKalb Co. MO

No children but reared foster son James H. DOUGHERTY

6. Sanford WILKERSON

born 30 Dec 1850, Warren or Clinton Co. OH; died 27 Jun 1930

farmer and educator; 1907 became Union Star MO hardware merchant

married 1890 Cora WILLOUGHBY (1871-?); 2 children:

1. Alberta (WILKERSON) GRAHAM

born 1895 MO, 35 years teaching school; principal of school 1927-1957

2. Bruce WILKERSON

born 1897 MO; assumed WILKERSON Hardware Store 1924-1966

Veteran of Workd War I

married 1925 Cleta TROTTER (1901-?)

7. Elizabeth WILKERSON

born 26 Apr 1853, Warren or Clinton Co. OH; died 13 Jan 1932

married 1880 James L. BELLIS, farmer; 5 children:

1. Harry BELLIS, born Apr 1883 MO

2. Anna Elizabeth BELLIS, born 1884 MO

3. Roy BELLIS, twin, born May 1885 MO

4. Ray BELLIS, twin, born May 1885 MO

5. John BELLIS, born Jul 1890 MO

8. Albert L. WILKERSON, teacher, farmer, hardware merchant

born 08 May 1855, Warren Co. OH; died 30 Sep 1932

married 1882 Elizabeth SLADE (1856-?), teacher; 1 child:

1. Pearl WILKERSON, born Oct 1882; a teacher many years, Union Star MO

9. Laura Ella WILKERSON

born 22 Mar 1859, Warren Co. OH; died 04 Mar 1933, Avenue City MO

interment Savannah Cemetery, Andrew Co. MO

married 30 Mar 1880 John Wesley OSBORN (1856-1939); farmer and teacher; 2 children:

1. Sanford Earl OSBORN

2. John Orville OSBORN

10. Mary Margaret WILKERSON

born 22 Jul 1861, Warren or Clinton Co. OH; died 04 Nov 1939

married John Quince WELLS, farmer; 5 children:

1. Mamie WELLS

2. Edwin WELLS

3. Grover WELLS

4. Nellie WELLS

5. Ollie (WELLS) WELLS

11. Anna Rosetta WILKERSON

born 18 Aug 1863, Warren or Clinton Co. OH; died 11 Jul 1929

married John FARRELL, farmer and hardware merchant; No children

12. Thomas Lloyd WILKERSON, farmer and merchant

born 25 Jul 1865, Clarksville, Warren Co. OH; died 04 Jan 1933, Union Star MO

married 20 Dec 1886 Andrew Co. MO Caroline KELLY (1867-1953); 7 children:

Thomas and Caroline interred Savannah Cemetery, Andrew Co. MO

1. Katherine Olive "Kate" WILKERSON, born 26 Sep 1887, DeKalb Co. MO; died 26 May 1890

married 23 Aug 1908 MO Charles Franklin PEMBERTON (1883-1957)

Kate and Charles interred Acadia Park Cemetery, Seattle WA

Kate and Charles were the parents of 4 daughters:

1. Frances (PEMBERTON) DeYOUNG

2. Yvetta (PEMBERTON) HOYER

3. Dorothy (PEMBERTON) DeYOUNG, twin

4. Donna (PEMBERTON) DeYOUNG, twin

2. Anna Mae WILKERSON, born Jul 1889; died 1920; did not marry

interment Savannah Cemetery, Savannah, Andrew Co. MO

3. Mary "Atha" WILKERSON, born 19 Jun 1892; died 05 May 1983

interment Memorial Park Cemetery, St. Joseph MO

married Thomas SMOOT

4. Lena Leota WILKERSON, born Oct 1893, Union Star MO; died 1977

interment Memorial Park Cemetery, St. Joseph MO

married Clarence SMOOT (?-1972)

5. James "Alva" WILKERSON, born Nov 1895; died 1901

interment Savannah Cemetery, Andrew Co. MO

6. Mildred WILKERSON, born Apr 1898; died after 1977

married Marvin GIBBONS; residence Semonole FL, 1977

7. Thomas "Lloyd" WILKERSON, born 31 Oct 1902; died 08 Nov 1963, Union Star MO

married Verna SWINK

There were 40 descendants of the first Missouri family. Presently (1975) nine are living, namely: Mrs. Luis FARRIS, Savannah; Mrs. Irene BAKER, Kansas City; Alberta GRAHAM and Bruce WILKERSON of Union Star; Mrs. Kate PEMBERTON, Seattle, Wash.; Mrs. Lena SMOOT & Mrs. Ollie WELLS of St. Joseph; Mrs. Mildred GIBBONS, Florida; Mrs. Atha SMOOT, Savannah.

OTHER SOURCES:
American Civil War Soldiers Database, ancestry.com

WPA Graves Survey

Transcriptions by Sharon R. Becker, July of 2009