Henry J. Wilkinson1,2,3

Family Chart
ID# 21945, (1828 - 1923)
FatherPhilander Wilkinson4,5 (9 Oct 1803 - 1864)
MotherElizabeth [surname unknown]4,5 (1798 - 1890)

Key Events:

Birth: 25 Nov 1828, Highgate, Franklin Co., Vermont6,7,8
Marriage: 8 Mar 1866, Rock Co., Wisconsin, Mary Cobb (24 Jan 1836 - 8 Apr 1919)3,9,10
Death: 28 Feb 192311,12
Burial: 2 Mar 1923, Hillside Cemetery, Whitewater, Wisconsin13,14
ChartsDescendants of Gideon Cobb

Copyright Notice

Narrative:

     Henry J. Wilkinson was born on 25 Nov 1828 in Highgate, Franklin Co., Vermont.6,7,8
     He moved to Rutland Co. with his parents in 1830.15 He was probably the male under age 5 listed in the household of his father, Philander Wilkinson, in the 1830 Federal Census of Benson, Rutland Co., Vermont.16 He was probably the male age 10 to 15 listed in the household of his father, Philander Wilkinson, in the 1840 Federal Census of Benson, Rutland Co., Vermont.17

Moving to Wisconsin --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Henry and his father left Vermont for Wisconsin 24 May 1847, traveling by the Erie Canal, the Great Lakes, then overland from Milwaukee in lumber wagons and on foot. They arrived in Whitewater 14 Jun. Two days later they went to Lima, where his mother had relatives. She and his sisters apprently followed somewhat later. They moved into a new log house in the fall of 1847.18,19 Henry appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Lima, Rock Co., Wisconsin, in the household of his parents.20
     Henry and his father farmed an 80-acre parcel owned by Abel Slocum for seven years. They were farming "on shares," paying the owner one third of the crop. They saved enough to buy a 120-acre farm six miles west of Whitewater about 1852. They began stock farming along with raising grain because the land with loosing it's fertility and needed other methods.21,22,23
     Henry had taught school one year in Vermont, and taught 14 winter terms in Vermont in rural districts. He was the first town superintendent of schools in Lima, for three years in Lima, Vermont.15 He appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Lima, Rock Co., Wisconsin, in the household of his parents.24
     Henry married Mary Cobb, daughter of Joshua D. Cobb and Nancy F. Clark, on 8 Mar 1866 in Rock Co., Wisconsin.3,9,10

Taking On the Farm of His New Wife's Family --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     His wife's father, Joshua D. Cobb, died in 1866, and Henry sold his previous farm and bought the farm that had been operated by him and Abraham Sheldon Edgerton, husband of his wife's sister, who had died two years earlier. That farm was "in a very high state of cultivation and stocked with blooded sheep and cattle." Henry hired John Edwards, an Englishman who had won a number of medals in England in plowing matches. Henry studied English methods and produced good results, with others following his methods. He was one of the organizers of a farm debating and literary society where farming matters were discussed. He also edited a farming column in the local newspaper.25,26,27,28
     Henry and Mary appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Lima, Rock Co., Wisconsin, enumerated 8 Jul 1870, reporting real estate valued at $10,000 and personal estate of $1,500. His mother and her sister Rachel were listed as living with them, as was Agnes Hasinger, a domestic servant.29
     Henry served as town clerk in Lima, chairman of the town, and was secretary and treasurer of the Lima insurance company, which was organized in 1872.15
     Henry and Mary appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Lima, Rock Co., Wisconsin, enumerated 23 Jun 1880. His mother and her sister Rachel were listed as living with them, as were Rudolph Haight, a farm laborer, and Adie Elphick, a domestic servant.30

Retiring and Moving to Town --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     In 1883 Henry rented his farm to George McMillen and he and Mary moved to Whitewater.31,32,28 They appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Whitewater, Walworth Co., Wisconsin, on S. Prince St., enumerated 22 Jun 1900, reporting that they owned their home, free of mortgage. Her widowed niece, Julia Howe, daughter of her late sister Alta, was listed as living with them.33
     Henry and Mary moved to Prairie St. in 1906.15 They appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Whitewater, Walworth Co., Wisconsin, at 100 N. Prairie St., enumerated 28 Apr 1910, reporting that they owned their home, free of mortgage. Her niece Julia was listed as living with them.34
     His wife died on 8 Apr 1919.35,36
     Henry appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Whitewater, Walworth Co., Wisconsin, at 100 N. Prairie St., enumerated 10 Jan 1920, reporting that he owned his home, free of mortgage. His late wife's niece Julia, and Mary Anderson, a 68-year-old Norwegian housekeeper, were listed as living with him.37
     Henry died on 28 Feb 1923 at age 94.11,12 He was buried on 2 Mar 1923 in Hillside Cemetery, Whitewater, Wisconsin.13,14

Children:
     There were no children with Mary Cobb

Citations

  1. [S8471] Philander Wilkinson household, 1850 U.S. Census, Rock Co., Wisconsin, shows name as Henry Wilkinson.
  2. [S8474] Philander Wilkinson household, 1860 U.S. Census, Rock Co., Wisconsin, shows name as Henry J. Wilkinson.
  3. [S4550] "Wisconsin, Marriages, 1836-1930," FamilySearch.org, record for Henry J Wilkinson and Mary B Cobb, citing FHL #1275527, image 199, and pg 2850.
  4. [S8471] Philander Wilkinson household, 1850 U.S. Census, Rock Co., Wisconsin, shows them apparently living as parent and child.
  5. [S8474] Philander Wilkinson household, 1860 U.S. Census, Rock Co., Wisconsin, shows them apparently living as parent and child.
  6. [S8481] H. J. Wilkinson obituary, The Whitewater Register, shows date, town, county, and state.
  7. [S8471] Philander Wilkinson household, 1850 U.S. Census, Rock Co., Wisconsin, shows age 22 and state.
  8. [S8477] Henry I. Wilkinson household, 1900 U.S. Census, Walworth Co., Wisconsin, shows month, year, age 71, and state.
  9. [S8475] Henry Wilkinson household, 1870 U.S. Census, Rock Co., Wisconsin, shows them apparently living as husband and wife.
  10. [S8477] Henry I. Wilkinson household, 1900 U.S. Census, Walworth Co., Wisconsin, shows married 34 years.
  11. [S8480] H. J. Wilkinson obituary, The Whitewater Register, shows died yesterday.
  12. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 136794708, Henry J Wilkinson, shows date and includes tombstone photo showing year.
  13. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 136794708, Henry J Wilkinson, includes tombstone photo.
  14. [S8480] H. J. Wilkinson obituary, The Whitewater Register, shows funeral Friday.
  15. [S8481] H. J. Wilkinson obituary, The Whitewater Register.
  16. [S8472] Philandey Wilkinson household, 1830 U.S. Census, Rutland Co., Vermont.
  17. [S8473] Philander Wilkinson household, 1840 U.S. Census, Rutland Co., Vermont.
  18. [S8481] H. J. Wilkinson obituary, The Whitewater Register, describes trip with his father.
  19. [S8482] "An Appreciation of H. J. Wilkinson," letter to editor by M. A. Slocum, The Whitewater Register, 29 Mar 1923, shows Henry came with father, mother, and two sisters in 1848.
  20. [S8471] Philander Wilkinson household, 1850 U.S. Census, Rock Co., Wisconsin.
  21. [S8481] H. J. Wilkinson obituary, The Whitewater Register, shows he farmed 80 acres on shares seven years; bought 120 acres.
  22. [S8482] "An Appreciation of H. J. Wilkinson," letter to editor by M. A. Slocum, The Whitewater Register, 29 Mar 1923, shows first farm was writer's father, share paid, and describes new farm.
  23. [S8474] Philander Wilkinson household, 1860 U.S. Census, Rock Co., Wisconsin, shows occupation as farmer.
  24. [S8474] Philander Wilkinson household, 1860 U.S. Census, Rock Co., Wisconsin.
  25. [S8481] H. J. Wilkinson obituary, The Whitewater Register, shows he had lived on the prior farm 12 years then purchased "the farm I now own."
  26. [S8482] "An Appreciation of H. J. Wilkinson," letter to editor by M. A. Slocum, The Whitewater Register, 29 Mar 1923, shows Henry sold farm and bought Cobb and Edginton farm; describes that farm.
  27. [S8476] Henry J. Wilkinson household, 1880 U.S. Census, Rock Co., Wisconsin, shows occupation as farmer.
  28. [S8477] Henry I. Wilkinson household, 1900 U.S. Census, Walworth Co., Wisconsin, shows occupation as landlord.
  29. [S8475] Henry Wilkinson household, 1870 U.S. Census, Rock Co., Wisconsin.
  30. [S8476] Henry J. Wilkinson household, 1880 U.S. Census, Rock Co., Wisconsin.
  31. [S8481] H. J. Wilkinson obituary, The Whitewater Register, shows date, renting farm, and move.
  32. [S8470] Mrs. R. F. Edgerton obituary, The Whitewater Register, shows year and city.
  33. [S8477] Henry I. Wilkinson household, 1900 U.S. Census, Walworth Co., Wisconsin.
  34. [S8478] Henry J. Wilkinson household, 1910 U.S. Census, Walworth Co., Wisconsin.
  35. [S8483] Mrs. H. J. Wilkinson obituary, The Whitewater Register, shows died Tuesday.
  36. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 136794728, Mary B Cobb Wilkinson, shows date and includes tombstone photo showing year.
  37. [S8479] Henry Wilkinson household, 1920 U.S. Census, Walworth Co., Wisconsin.