The gentleman whose name we are pleased to place at the head of this memoir, - the late Aaron S. Wilkinson, of Allen township, LaSalle county, Illinois, - was a justice of the peace and a veteran of the civil war. The record of his life, briefly given, is as follows:
Aaron S. Wilkinson was born in Auburn, New York, July 7, 1828, son of Aaron Wilkinson, a native of Scott's Plain, New York, and his wife, Polly (Wilkins) Wilkinson, daughter of a Revolutionary soldier. Aaron and Polly Wilkinson were the parents of a large family, whose names in order of birth are: Mrs. Sophia Wisner, of Hanson. Nebraska: Permelia Linsley, of New York; James, an early settler of Allen township, LaSalle county, Illinois, is deceased; Polly Granger, deceased; Eleanor Caldwell, deceased; and Cornelia Holcomb, deceased.
In his native state Aaron S. Wilkinson was reared and educated. He had been twice married. His first wife was before marriage Miss Maria Babcock, she being a native of Branch county, Michigan, and daughter of Frank Babcock, of that state. The fruits of their union were four children, viz.: Edna, wife of James Ford, of Ransom, Illinois; James, of Crystal Falls, Michigan; Frank, who died at the age of twenty-seven years; and Ambrose B., who died at the age of twenty-eight, leaving a wife and three children. Mrs. Maria Wilkinson died June 23, 1885. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was a most estimable woman, loved by all who knew her. In September, 1886, Mr. Wilkinson was married to Mrs. Lovisa Wilkinson, who is the daughter of Bourbon Matthews, a native of Virginia. By this marriage there are two children: Irma and Bertha, aged ten and three years respectively.
Mr. Wilkinson's war record began in September, 1862, when he enlisted in Company B, Eighth Michigan Cavalry, under Captain Miles Warren and Colonel Stockton, and he was made first lieutenant of his company. He was with his command, participating in the engagements in which it took part, until June 10, 1864, when he was honorably discharged, and thereupon returned home.
Politically Mr. Wilkinson was always known as an ardent Republican. For twelve years he served as a justice of the peace and a notary public. Fraternally he was identified with the Masonic Order, and was a member of Francis M. Lane Post, No. 247, G. A. R., having been its first commander and being senior vice-commander at the time of his death. Mr. Wilkinson was an accomplished musician, having taught music for over forty years, and for some years past was the leader of the Methodist church choir. November 3, 1899, Mr. Wilkinson passed to his reward, leaving a large circle of friends to mourn his demise. He leaves his wife and their two children and two children by his former marriage to mourn his loss. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Ransom.
Extracted by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois published in 1900, volume 1, pages 147-148.
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