Submitted bywjwilkins@att.netFrom "History of Hamilton & Clay Counties, Nebraska," Vol. 2, pp 416-417, 1921:
James H. Wilkins, although formerly actively engaged in farming, is now living retired in Aurora. He was born in Mortonsville, Kentucky, January 25, 1843, his parents being George and Fannie (Wilson) Wilkins. The father was probably born in Virginia while the mother's birth occurred in Kentucky and their marriage was celebrated in the latter state, where the father passed away in 1844 and the mother died in Illinois in 1863. Mr. Wilkins was a shoemaker and farmer and was the owner of slaves in Kentucky, being numbered among the well-to-do men of his day. His political endorsement was given to the democratic party. To him and his wife were born seven children.
James H. Wilkins, the youngest of the family and the only one now living, obtained his education in the common schools of Illinois, in which state he was reared to manhood. He was only a year old at the time of his father's death and was but ten years of age when his mother departed this life. In the spring of 1861 , when a youth of 18 he had responded to the country's call to aid the preservation of the Union and had joined Company K of the Fourteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving with the western army. He participated in the battle of Shiloh, the Siege of Vicksburg and a number of other engagements and was honorably discharged June 1, 1864.
After being mustered out Mr. Wilkins returned to Illinois, where he took up the occupation of farming on his own account by renting land. In the fall of the same year -- 1864 -- he married Martha New, who was born in Scott county, Illinois, a daughter of William F. and Harriett (Gates) New, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Ohio. From the age of nine years until his death Mr. New resided on one farm in Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. New were born seven children but only two are living: Mrs. Mary Campbell of College View, Nebraska, and Mrs. Wilkins. The parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and loyally followed its teachings.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins were born ten children, nine of whom are living: Lillie, the wife of F. O. Hannawold (sic), a retired farmer of Merna, Nebraska; William N., a farmer of Kansas; Frank, who carries on agricultural pursuits in this county; David H., a rice farmer of Arkansas; Hattie, at home; Whitfeld (sic), a twin of Hattie living on the home farm in Hamilton county; Dollie, who is at home; Stella, the wife of Len T. Cole, who is engaged in merchandising in Montana; and Walter, who is a clerk in a drug store in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Mrs. Wilkins is a member of the Presyterian church. In politics Mr. Wilkins maintains largely an independent course, though inclined to the republican party. He served as a member of the school board and has been much interested in all that pertains to public progress and improvement.
It was in 1873 that Mr. Wilkins came to Hamilton county and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Beaver precinct, which he still owns. The farm was destitute of improvement and with characteristic energy he began the development of the place. He and his wife, with their four children, lived in a two-room sod house, but about 1880 he built a frame dwelling, hauling the lumber from Aurora. Gradually he gained a start and from time to time extended the boundaries of his farm by the purchase of additional land until he is now the owner of five hundred and sixty acres of good land in this county. Year by year he carefully tilled the soil and gathered golden harvests and has become one of the successful agriculturists of this section of the state. In 1904 he removed to Aurora and rents his farm property from which he obtains a good annual income. At one time he was the owner of a drug store in Aurora. Whatever he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion and obstacles and difficulties in his path seem but to serve as an impetus for renewed effort on his part. It is fitting that a life of such intense and intelligently directed activities should be crowned with leisure and with success and at the present time he is enjoying well earned rest amid all the comforts and luxuries that his former labor has provided for him.
James H. came to IL in 1844 and lived with his Uncle (Dr. William Wilson) in Glasgow, IL. He came to NE in a covered wagon (3 week trip) 20 Aug 1878. Ne NE he homesteaded a farm south of Aurora. He moved to Auroa in 1904.
Marriage License Info:
Groom: Wilkins, James H.
Bride: New, Martha
County: Scott
State: IL
Date: 11/10/1864
Vol/Page: /0134
Lic: 00002288According to the 1860 Scott County, IL, census, James (called Hensley) was living on the NEW farm. James was 17 in 1860, Martha NEW was 15.
