My Genealogy Hound

James M. Wilks is a native of the “Hoosier” State, born in 1835, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Fields) Wilks. The father was born in Tennessee, and came to Indiana in the very early settlement of the State, and settled down to farming, but, thinking he could better his fortunes, he moved to Illinois in 1865, and in 1868 concluded to try Illinois. In 1872, however, he moved back to Illinois, and there died in 1878, leaving seven children: Henry, Jasper N., Andrew S., Edward, Francis M., Margaret and James M. The latter was educated in Illinois, and remained with his father until he attained man’s estate. Owing to ill health he returned to Missouri in 1882, and followed the occupation of farming for two years, when he engaged in general merchandising, but met with reverses by fire in 1886, being burned out, and again returned to farming. A year later he again opened a general mercantile establishment, and is still engaged in that line of business. His stock is valued at $1,000, and he has a fair and increasing trade. In 1856 his marriage with Miss Mary A. Poe, of Iowa, was celebrated, and their union resulted in the birth of three children: John A., who is in partnership with his father; Francis M. and Frances Elizabeth. Mr. Wilks and family are among the esteemed citizens of the county, and are worshipers in the Christian Church.