My Genealogy Hound

Edwin Gilkey, farmer, and owner of the Gilkey coal bank in Ozark Township, was born in Adams County, Ill., in 1841, being the third of six children born to the marriage of Franklin Gilkey and Nancy Ford, who were born, reared and married in Kentucky. A short time after the latter event they removed to Adams County, Ill., where Mr. Gilkey, who was of Irish descent, and a farmer by occupation, died in 1872, followed by his wife in 1883. Edwin Gilkey received but little education in his youth, and at an early day became familiar with the duties of farm life. When the war broke out he joined Company F, Seventy-Eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was in the Atlanta Campaign, and was present at the grand review at Washington, D. C. In 1866 he married Mary L., a daughter of William and Louisa Wallace, who were born in Canada and New York, respectively, and removed to Hancock County, Ill., at an early day, where Mr. Wallace is yet living. His wife died about 1882. Mrs. Gilkey was born in Hancock County, Ill., and her union with Mr. Gilkey resulted in the birth of nine children, two sons and four daughters now living. In 1870 Mr. Gilkey removed to Crawford County, Kan., and from there to Barton County, Mo., being one of the pioneer settlers of Ozark Township. They own a good farm of ninety-two acres, one mile west of Liberal, on which is a valuable coal bank. He is a Democrat, casting his first presidential vote for Seymour in 1868, and for the past eight years he has been constable of Ozark Township. Mrs. Gilkey is a member of the Church of the Latter Day Saints.