COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY
Of Henry County, Indiana
B. F. Bowen
Surnames in this biography are: Wilkinson, Ball, Moreau,
THOMAS B. WILKINSON.
While success cannot be achieved with out unflagging industry, the fertility
of effort is often noticeable in the business world and results from the fact
that it is not combined with sound business judgment. Many a man, who gives
his entire life to toil, earnest and unremitting, never acquires a
competence, but when his labor is well directed prosperity always follows.
Thomas Benton Wilkinson is one whose work has been supplemented by careful
management and today he is among those who have triumphed over all obstacles
and won success, being now actively connected with the commercial interests
of Henry County. Thomas B. Wilkinson was born on the 10th day of December
1839, on a farm near the county line of Hancock County, Indiana. He remained
at home until about sixteen years old, when he commenced earning his own
livelihood by working at the carpenter’s trade and other employment, which he
continued for two years. He then went with his father to Minnesota, where for
about a year and a half he assisted his father in the improvement of a farm.
Then, returning to his native county, he engaged in teaching in the common
school during the winter months, and was also employed for a time in a
sawmill. But at this time the terrible conflict in the South was under way
and the subject felt called upon to defend his country’s flag, so in
September, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Third Indiana Volunteer Cavalry,
under the command of Capt. W. C. Moreau, of Knightstown. The following July
six companies of this regiment were detached and sent to the Army of the
Potomac and in August four companies were sent to the Army of the Cumberland
and later two more companies were sent to the latter organization. The four
companies under command of a lieutenant colonel and major, served until
October, 1864, in the Army of the Cumberland and the company to which the
subject belonged took part in the battles of Stone River and Perryville. In
February, 1862, Mr. Wilkinson was commissioned as first lieutenant, having
previously been several times promoted. He was detached and served in the
capacity of acting assistant quartermaster on the staff of Colonel Minty,
commander of a cavalry brigade. Soon after receiving his commission he was
detailed on recruiting service at Indianapolis, where he remained the greater
part of that summer. In October he was made acting assistant quartermaster
and was with his brigade in the field, so serving through the Atlanta
campaign. During a large part of this time he was under Gen. Kilpatrick’s
command, as was his own company. On the foraging expeditions in which the
subject engaged, which were under his personal supervision, under escort,
vouchers, were given in return for supplies, on condition of proof of
loyalty. Mr. Wilkinson’s nominal rank was that of captain, though his
commission was that of a first lieutenant. He was discharged in October,
1864, after a faithful service of three years and two months. In 1865 the
subject entered into a business partnership with his brother, E. N.
Wilkinson. Upon the passing of what is now the Big Four railroad through
Hancock County a village was located and laid out on land belonging to these
brothers, and in their honor it was named Wilkinson. It is now a prosperous
wide-awake little town and they still have an elevator at that place. Mr.
Wilkinson is the proprietor of the Eagle Mills at Knightstown, a modern full
roller-process mill, with a capacity of forty barrels. He was one of the
original members of the Knightstown Natural Gas Company, in 1887, and is also
a director in the Citizens Bank. Politically Mr. Wilkinson is an ardent and
faithful Republican, and is an active participant in the campaign work.
Fraternally he is a Mason and has been active in the various bodies of that
time-honored fraternity. He has reached the degree of Knight Templar and has
passed all the chairs, also having a seat in the grand lodge. He and his wife
belong to the order of Eastern Star. He is a member of the Loyal Legion and
also maintains a fraternal connection with his old army comrades though his
connection with the Grand Army of the Republic, having been commander of his
post. He fraternally attends all reunions of his old regiment. The manage of
the subject occurred on the 12th of November, 1867, when he was united to
Miss Clay Anna Ball, a native of the Buckeye state, the result of this union
being four children, as follows: Claude E. is his father’s assistant; Aubrey
C. is employed at the mill; Mabel Gay and Lena Estella. All have received
good educations, being graduates of the high schools. Mr. Wilkinson’s
commercial interests in this community have been quite extensive, his present
investment amounting to about forty thousand dollars. His many fine business,
social and moral qualities have secured to him a high standing in the
community and he is deeply interested in all that tends to advance its
interests.
I do not know anything more about this family. Typed by Lora Radiches.