Untitled Surnames: Brenan, Yates, Altizer, Roe, Slack, Landshutz, Rawson, Simpson, Jackson, Kopp, Whittaker, Harker, Thomas, Reige, Robinson, Kay

From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin, publ. 1901 - page 106-107

DAVID WILKINSON. The real wealth of a community is not in its banks and business blocks, but in the integrity and worth of its people, for the influence of a good life goes farther than a bag of dollars in forming the future status of manner and morality. When our subject, David WILKINSON, was born away across the water, in England, Feb. 6, 1832, no one would have predicted of the little Lancashire lad the successful and honorable life that has been his, fertile in good deeds, and an example to the young of the reward awaiting him who lives justly and industriously, temperately and honestly.

The parents of our subject were John and Ann (BRENAN) WILKINSON, both born in England, the former Jan. 28, 1803, the latter in 1805. John WILKINSON was the son of David and Ellen (YATES) WILKINSON, who were born in 1765, and married in 1795; both died in England. The father of our subject, John WILKINSON (2), was married in England Feb. 7, 1830. He was the manager of some zinc works in Wales for some time before coming to America, and also filled the position of bookkeeper for the Liverpool Ship Building Co. In March, 1844, he left his native country for the United States, taking passage on a sailing-vessel, and after a long and tedious voyage the welcome port of New Orleans was reached. Following the Mississippi until he came to Galena, Ill., he settled at Scales Mound, in Jo Daviess county, but in the fall of that year he moved to Big Patch, Wis., where they lived during the remainder of their lives, his death occurring Nov. 15, 1879, and his wife's July 14, 1866. Both John WILKINSON and his wife were valued and consistent members of the Primitive Methodist Church, and were known as worthy Christian people. A stanch Republican after settling in his new country, he never wavered in his faith to that party during the rest of his life. In 1850 he made a trip to California, crossing the Plains, but did not make a protracted stay there.

Eleven children were born to John and Ann WILKINSON; David, our subject, is the eldest of the family. William, who was born in England in 1833, married Miss Mary ALTIZER, of Smelser, settled on his farm near the old homestead, and died in 1861, leaving two children, John and Oliver, now residents of California. John, born in England, in July 1835, married Hannah ROE, and died after coming to America; he left two children, Frances and John. Ellen, born in England, died when a child. Thomas, born in England, in May, 1839, married Anna SLACK, of Grant county, and now resides in Linn county, Iowa, where he has been a prosperous farmer for thirty years; he has a family of ten children, Albert, Edward, Nellie, Thomas, Anna, Emma, James, Hall, Milford and Yetta. Elizabeth, born in Wales in August, 1841, married William LANDSHUTZ, of Smelser, who died in 1888, leaving his wife and two children, W. H. (who with his mother resides in Big Patch) and Laura (the latter now deceased). James, born in England Aug. 7, 1843, married, first, a Miss RAWSON, who died leaving him one son, William, now of Dubuque, Iowa; his second marriage was with Elizabeth SIMPSON; he resides in Lemars, Iowa. Anna is deceased. Mary A., born in Grant county, married L. A. JACKSON, resided in Smelser, and died Aug. 5, 1874. George, born in 1850, married Sophia KOPP, of Platteville, and now resides on the old WILKSINSON homestead, in Smelser, with his six children, Mary, Sophia, Carl, Elizabeth, Catharine, and Gretta. Robert, born at the old home in Smelser, in November, 1852, married Mary WHITTAKER, formerly of Delaware, and resides in Pipestone county, Minn.; he has four children, James, Palmer, Bell and Harold.

David WILKINSON, our subject, acquired his early education in England, has opportunities in Smelser being confined to a term of three months. However, he had the advantage of having an intelligent and educated father, and under his supervision he continued his studies. In 1855 he married Miss Isabella HARKER, a daughter of George and Isabelle HARKER, this daughter being among the English-American families who have become prominent in Smelser township. Mrs. WILKINSON was born in 1834, and was called from life in April, 1880, leaving three children: Elizabeth, born Dec. 30, 1856, was a student at Platteville, married Joseph THOMAS, of Grant county, and resides on a farm in Smelser; they have five children, Edward, Walton, Isabel, Gretta and Jessie. James, born in January, 1859, died in August, 1870. Ellen, born in February, 1861, married George REIGE, of Smelser, and died Aug. 31, 1889, leaving one daughter, Florence.

In December, 1886, Mr. WILKINSON married Miss Susanna ROBINSON, of Platteville township, a daughter of Joseph and Hannah ROBINSON, of an old pioneer family. She was born in 1848, and died in Big Patch Oct. 8, 1899, leaving many lamenting friends. During her life she had been noted for good works, and was one of the leading members of the Primitive Methodist Church, in which her father had long been a local minister.

After his first marriage Mr. WILKINSON settled on a farm for some two years, and then purchased the KAY gristmill, at Big Patch, which he managed for over thirty-five years. In 1858 he engaged in the mercantile business, in connection with his milling, and until 1900, when he sold, he did a prosperous business. Mr. WILKINSON has always been an ardent Republican, but was appointed by President Buchanan as postmaster at Big Patch, and in all the changes of administration since that time has been continued in office, his character being so high that no citizen could ever be found as an opponent. For forty-one years he has efficiently held this government appointment, this being, in itself, a testimonial of the esteem in which he is held, irrespective of party.

So prominent a man as Mr. WILKINSON could not escape election to the county and township offices, and he has performed the duties of them all, at various times. He has been town treasurer of Smelser for the past three years, and for the three preceding years was town assessor. Reared in the Primitive Methodist Church, he has always adhered to its teachings, and has been a liberal and cheerful contributor to its support. In all things Mr. WILKINSON has been a worthy citizen, always ready to aid in benevolence where he found a deserving object, has served well and faithfully in his public life, and the regularity of his habits has made him a pleasant factor in the home circle. Grant county has in David WILKINSON a representative citizen.




This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck