My Genealogy Hound

WILKINSON, C. L., farmer, Sec. 23; P. O. Primrose; son of Charles and Sarah (Rogers) Wilkinson; was born Sept. 26, 1832, in Burlington Co., N. J.; parents moved to Louisville, Ky. Y., in 1834; his father died there in 1836; the following year, his mother returned to New Jersey with the family, where she remained till the spring of 1843, when she came to Iowa and located in Harrison Tp., where his early life was spent. He married Miss Josephine L. Anderson, daughter of T. O. Anderson, May 28, 1857; she was born April 21, 1836, in Des Moines Co., Iowa; her parents settled there in 1832; they were natives of Kentucky. In the spring of 1859, Mr. Wilkinson came to his present farm; in the spring of 1862, he went with a company of gold-seekers with ox-teams for Oregon; arrived at Baker City after a long and tedious journey; had three skirmishes with Indians; lost two of their company at Plum Creek, Neb., who were left at a watering-place to guard some wagons while the company pushed on; about twenty-five Indians were ambushed near the men, and, as soon as the company were out of sight, murdered them in the most brutal manner, chopping them to pieces with their tomahawks, and plundered the wagons of what they could carry; shortly after arriving at Baker City, Mr. Wilkinson, in company with a Mr. Charles Fisher started out prospecting and came back over the mountains, making the first discovery of gold where Boise City now stands; the news soon spreading brought large numbers of gold-seekers; Boise City was soon established, and Mr. Wilkinson appointed Recorder of the District; the following July resigned and started for home, where he arrived in August; the following December started back, went as far as Omaha, remained till spring, then went on to Virginia City, mined till the following November, when he returned home; since has devoted his time to farming and stock-raising; have one son — Charles E.; lost one — Frank G.; owns a farm of 160 acres, valued at $50 per acre. Member of Friends Church; Greenbacker.