TOM WILKINSON PASSES AWAY

After a lingering illness of several months’ duration, Thomas Wilkinson, an old and respected resident of this city, died at 1:30 this (Thursday) morning, surrounded by his children and relatives, aged 74 years and 17 days.

The funeral will be held at the family home on Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock and will be conducted by Rev. Albert Williams of Omaha. The Masonic lodge, of which deceased was a member, will have charge of the services at the cemetery.

Mr. Wilkinson’s career was a long, honorable, and interesting one, and a more complete obituary will be published in these columns next week.

#2 Tribune 24 Jul 1912

THOMAS WILKINSON

The death of Thomas Wilkinson occurred on Thursday last.

About a year ago he began suffering with what developed to be a cancerous formation of the liver. Up to about three weeks ago he was able to be around. For three weeks he had been confined to the bed and passed into the greater life at 1:30 Thursday morning, July 18. The deceased was 74 years and 18 days old.

Thomas Wilkinson, an only child was born at Bedford, England, July 1, 1838. Owing to the death of his parents in his infancy he made his home with his grandparents until his coming to America at the age of eighteen years.

Upon arrival in the United States he called New York City home for awhile then he went to Michigan and worked a few years. Along in the late 50’s he wandered into Barrington, became acquainted with an English girl, Miss Lucy Jackson who became his wife October 19, 1850. Four children were born to this union.

Hearing the call of the west, these young people heeded, coming to Nebraska in 1884. They shared the hardships of those pioneer days always with cheerfulness and courage. They resided upon a farm near Fremont then at Elk City. After many years of toil and care Mr. Wilkinson and his wife moved to Blair to enjoy their older years less strenuously.

While living at Elk City Mr. Wilkinson served as a member on the school board, constable and on the county board of commissioners. Under Grover Cleveland’s administration Mr. Wilkinson was postmaster for four years.

Three years ago Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson celebrated their golden wedding. All the children and their families with Elk City and Blair friends were present.

The family who survives him are his wife, three daughters, Mrs. Ida Smith, Mrs. Nettie Dyball and Mrs. Emma Shields, all of Omaha and the only son, William W., who lives on the farm six miles south of Blair. There are nine grandchildren.

Mr. Wilkinson was a member of the Episcopal Church and became a Mason at Algonquin, Illinois.

~~~obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

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