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Pioneer - WILKIN, George and Richard
Biographical Sketches of
Early Settlers of Wellington County
Information from: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario.
Toronto: Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906
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WILKIN, George and Richard.
Two brothers are the origin of this family in Minto,
viz., George Wilkin, Sr., b. Co. Sligo, Ire., 1810, and Richard Wilkin, Sr., b.
the same place in 1812. The former was the pioneer of the family in Canada. In
1850, accompanied by his oldest dau. Fanny, he came to see the country, and
look for a place to settle. They first stopped in Pilkington, and tht following
year, were joined by the rest of the family. In 1853----the year before the
land sale in Minto ---George Wilkin, Sr., and his son Lewis made their way
through the woods to Minto, and picked out 400 acres, lots 26, 27, 28, and 29,
con. 5. They built a temporary wigwam, near the creek, covering it with bushes,
which afforded them shelter until they could build a more substantial log house
near by. They made a small clearing, and waited for the land sale, being joined
in the spring of 1854 by the balance of the family. They, with the Campbells
and Whites were the first actual settlers on this line.
George Wilkin, Sr., m. Jane Roberts, in Ire. Issue: Mrs. John Brown, Lewis, Timothy, Richard R., Mrs. George Wilkin, and George, Jr., all in Minto. The family were all b. in Ireland, excepting George, Jr. He d. in 1890, age 81. Richard R. Wilkin, third son of George Wilkin, Sr., was b. Co. Sligo, Ire., in 1842. He m. Sarah Metcalf, dau. of the late respected pioneer, Joseph Metcalf, and has two children, Rolson, merchant, Man.; and Reuben who m. Martha Raison, and runs the homestead. Richard R. owns 100 acres, lot 27, con. 5, upon which is a modern brick residence and good outbuildings. It is in a high state of cultivation, and he ranks among the best citizens of Minto. In 1858, Richard Wilkin, Sr., and his family left Ire. for Canada and took up their abode in Minto, purchasing 100 acres, lot 31, con. 5, of Patrick Donovan, and settling on it. There had been about half an acre cleared on this farm, and Richard Wilkin, Sr., and his sons cleared the balance. He was a progressive citizen in all that the word implies. He was one of the promoters of the first Church of England erected in Harriston. He m. Margaret Morrison, in Co. Sligo, Ire., in 1848. She was b. in 1822. Issue: George, Robert, Mary A. (d. age 26); Lewis (d. age 32); William, set. N. W.; Mrs. Wm. Roe, Richard, Jr., Mrs. Adam Spence, Mrs. Jas. Shaw, and Mrs. A. B. Cushing, set. N. W. Mr. Wilkin d. Oct. 20th, 1890, aged 78 years. His widow is still living. Richard Wilkin, Jr., the youngest son, is one of the leading men in Minto. He owns "Springfield Farm," containing 250 acres of prime land on con. 5. It includes the old homestead. He makes a specialty of fine stock raising, such as Clydesdale horses, Durham cattle, and Oxfordshire sheep. He is up-to-date in all of his appointments, and was the first man in Minto to own and put up a windmill. Mr. Wilkin is a member of the Church of England. He m. Lucinda Erwin. Issue: Richard H., Edna P., Margaret V., and Andrew E. The Wilkin family, both branches, probably own as fine farms and improvements as Minto can boast of . From: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario. Toronto: Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906 |
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