Milo Willis Wilkinson (1853-1904)

WILKINSON, SQUIRE, STALEY, ANSON, JOHNSON

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 6/11/2023 at 09:28:24

From Ames Intelligencer, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Thursday, October 6th, 1904.

M. W. Wilkinson Passes Away

This community was very much shocked Thursday when the news of the death of Milo Willis Wilkinson reached the city. His wife who has been living in this city had received a card stating that he would be home from Mapleton to attend the harvest home excursion at the college. Wednesday night she received word to come at once but she could not leave till early Thursday morning; he was dead when she arrived. His death was caused by the breaking of a blood vessel on his brain Wednesday afternoon, and he lived but a short time after it occurred. Mrs. Wilkinson returned with the body Thursday night. Mr. Wilkinson is known by almost every person in Ames. Until seven years ago he and his wife lived on a farm near Ames. Since that time he has been working at Mapleton Iowa and his wife has been living in this city. The Masonic order of Ames had charge of the body and a number of that order were present from Nevada and Story City. He had one brother, E. O. Wilkinson, a mail carrier in this city; two sisters, Mrs. Henry Staley, Mrs. Charles Anson and a niece, Mrs. Johnson, all of Jewell Junction, who were present at the funeral. The bereaved ones have the sympathy of the entire community.

Milo Willis, youngest son of John and Ora Wilkinson was born in Rock Run, Illinois, April 1, 1853, and died at Mapleton, Iowa, Wednesday September 28, 1904. He was united in marriage to Miss Olive Squire at Nevada, Iowa, Nov. 27, 1873.He bowed to the obligations of the cross and united with the Methodist Episcopal church during a revival meeting held in Pleasant Grove church, a few years after his marriage. He was initiated into the Masonic order February 28, 1888 and was raised to the sublime degree of a master mason May 31 of the same year. Continuing to the day of his death a brother beloved in Arcadia Lodge No 249. In 1891 he was advanced to Joshua Chapter No. 127. As a man and as a christian gentleman our brother was above reproach. Genial, unobtrusive and real, having a hearty repugnance to shams and vices, he could not with his standard of a good conscience compromise with either.

While Mr. Wilkinson was perhaps not a born leader of armed and drilled troops, helmeted and plumed, with brilliant plans and renowned victories, he nevertheless made good use of his talents among the rand and file. He enlisted from a strong conviction of duty, and was therefore ready for work in the trenches or in the field, accepting his opportunity with a thankful heart, glorying that he was accounted worthy of such honor as his commander transferred to him to an advanced department where he receives distinguished honors and corresponding awards. The funeral services were conducted in the Methodist Episcopal church Sunday afternoon, October 3, by the Rev. Andrew M. Shea, after which the beautiful burial service of the Masonic fraternity was used at the grave. The interment was made in the Ames cemetery.