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Below is a family biography included in The History of Polk County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Richard G. Wilkinson, Jr., a member of the mercantile firm of Furth & Wilkinson, of Pleasant Hope, Polk County, Mo., was born in Buffalo, Dallas County, Mo., January 28, 1856, and is a son of Richard and Keziah (Dodd) Wilkinson, and grandson of Richard Wilkinson, who came with his family to Dallas County, Mo., from Kentucky, being among the earliest settlers of that county. The father of our subject was engaged in farming, and teaching school in his young days, but after a time turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, and later built the mill at Buffalo. He was vice-president of the Laclede &Fort Scott Railroad, but is now living a retired life. After his first wife’s death, he married Mrs. Margaret (Stambaugh) Stark, who is still living. He is a consistent member of the Christian Church, and is a Mason. His children are as follows: H. M., engaged in farming near Buffalo, Mo.; Martha, wife of Mr. Glasgow; Richard G.; Albert V., editor of a paper at Cambridge, Kan.; Francis M., a printer in the Reflex office at Buffalo; and Emma, wife of N. B. Huff, were born to his first marriage. John, in the mail service between Kansas City and St. Louis, and Ella, wife of Albert Miller, editor of a paper in Dakota, were the children of his second marriage. Richard G. Wilkinson, Jr., received his education at Buffalo, and at the age of nineteen years leased some lead mines belonging to his father, which he operated for nearly two years, after which he went into the grocery business at Buffalo, and in 1875 became a clerk in the mercantile establishment of Frank Furth, continuing until 1884, when he formed a partnership with Mr. Furth, and opened a store at Pleasant Hope. Their stock of goods is valued at about $6,000, is well selected, and nets them a fair annual income. Mr. Wilkinson is a Democrat in his political views, and belongs to the I. O. O. F. Richard C. Wilson, retired farmer, is the son of Samuel and Cynthia (Gibson) Wilson, both natives of Virginia. When young they went to Tennessee, were married there, and in 1844 they came to Missouri, where they lived in Jasper County for some time. They then moved to Arkansas, and there the mother died. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The father was a successful tiller of the soil, and was a Democrat in politics. He was killed by Confederates at his home during the war. In their family were ten children, four of whom are now living, three sons and one daughter; our subject and a twin brother are the eldest living. Two of the brothers served in the Union army. Richard C. Wilson was born September 11, 1833, in Lincoln County, Tenn., attained his growth on the farm, and received his education in the old log school-house, and also attended a term in Arkansas County, Ark. At the age of seven teen he started from home, and worked on a farm at five dollars per month, spending his earnings in college. In 1860 he married Miss Mary L. Hughey, a native of Carroll County, Ark., and they have three children, two now living: Riley T. and Frank C. Having moved to Texas, Mr. Wilson remained until 1863, and then went to Greene County, Mo., and was there until 1865, when he came to Polk County, Mo., and settled four miles north of Bolivar. Mrs. Wilson died in 1866, and the following year he married Miss Annie S., daughter of Clayton Devin. She was born in Obion County, Tenn., and when a mere child came with her parents to Polk County. She is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Wilson was reared under a Democratic roof, but he now holds to the Union Labor party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a prominent and successful citizen. He has twice commenced even with the world —when he first began, and after the war.

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This family biography is one of 132 biographies included in The History of Polk County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Polk County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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