Stephen William (Will) Wilkins, eldest child of G. W. & Sara Jane Loy Wilkins, was born near Ottumwa, Ia., Aug. 30, 1867. He came with his parents to the old home place northwest of Murray, now owned by Paul Wright, when he was 13 years old.

On Dec. 25, 1901, he married Jessie Maye Wright, born April 13, 1884, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wright who farmed northeast of Thayer. Her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Dye came to Union Co. in 1854 and homesteaded on 4 mile creek.

In 1904, they moved to Red Oak where Mr. Wilkins farmed and for several years worked in the Murphy Calender factory.

In the fall of 1909, they moved to Wendte, South Dakota, where they homesteaded on 160 acres of prairie land. His parents and two brothers, Frank and Milt, still residing in Murray, were already living there. Since the school was being closed because of lack of pupils they then moved (by covered wagon) to Battle Lake, Minnesota, in the spring of

1914. Living here until Oct. 1918, they then moved back to Iowa coming to Murray in the spring of that year. Here they spent the rest of their lives living nearly 40 years in the same house in the northwest part of Murray.

They celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1951, with three generations of their family. Four years later, on Jan. 2, 1956, Mr. Wilkins passed away, with Mrs. Wilkins following 10 years later on June 14, 1966.

Their family; two daughters, Eva Henrich of Thayer and Jessie McCollum of Murray, deceased,

Grandchildren: Forrest Henrich, Bonderant, Iowa; Dwayne Henrich of Thayer, Iowa; Harold Henrich of Afton, Iowa; Nola Niedt of Murray, Iowa; Merle Gookin & Edrie McNeal both of Des Moines, Iowa.

Great grandchildren: Connie & Rickie Henrich; Stephen, Robin, Pamela & Jerry Henrich; Jimmy Henrich; Annita Niedt; Gary Gookin; Greg, Doug, & Kevin McNeal.