| Wilkey Reunion | ||
| Willis Wilkey 1906
|
||
| Pioneer | Reunion of Pioneers from Hopkins Co., Ky who took part in the California Gold Rush | |
Descendant Family Reunion of the Willis and Mary (Lindley) Wilkey Line
These notes were taken from the book that recorded the minutes of the
reunion by a granddaughter of Lydia Ann Wilkey, Mrs. Doris (Marks) Kelly,
in Dec. 1978. Submitted by Rosann Brown
Minutes of the Wilkey Reunion
On Thursday, August 9, 1906, the descendants of Willis
and Mary
(Lindley) Wilkey met in reunion for the first time on the old homestead,
two miles south of Kingman,(IN),which is now (l906)owned by W. H. Wilkey.
The old homestead was purchased by Willis Wilkey in
1838, who came
from Orange to Parke County (IN) in the spring of that year.
He had the logs hewed for the house, returned to Orange
Co.to get his
family, consisting of his wife, and three children: Elizabeth Jane, Martha
Ellen and Charles L., thence returning to the homestead, living in a tent
while the house was erected.
There were six children born in the Wilkey family after
their removal
to Parke Co.as follows: William H., Henry M., James M., Enoch L., Lydia
Ann, and Nancy C.
The father died in 1853. The mother died in 1882.
All of the nine
children living until the youngest was fifty years of age. James M. and
Martha E. are now deceased.
Henry M. resides in Montgomery Co., Kansas. The
others reside in
Parke and Fountain Co’s.
Those present at the Reunion and their descendants
were as follows:
Elizabeth J. McCoy and descendants, Mrs. Flora Gillian
and daughters,
Hollis and Carrie Davies and husband, Mrs. Sylvia Morrison and husband and
two children, Kathleen and Kenneth and Mrs. Eva Swaim.
Descendants of Martha E. Moore(deceased)Willis Moore
husband, Mrs
Josephine Lewis and two children and Mrs. Amanda Dark, husband and three
children.
Descendants of Charles L. Wilkey present were Wm. M.
Wilkey, wife and
son, Joseph Wilkey, wife and five children, Mrs. Sarah C. Furr and three
children and E. S. Wilkey, son and daughter.
Wm. H. Wilkey and wife present descendants were Mrs.
Rose Pearson,
husband and three children, Miss Bertha and Morton Wilkey and Gilbert
Spencer, husband of (Gertrude Wilkey Spencer deceased) and little daughter
Geraldine.
Enoch L. Wilkey and daughter, Mrs. Estella Millikan.
Lydia A. Marks and husband George E. Marks and descendants,
James B.
Marks, wife and two children, Mrs. Jennie Lindley, husband and son.
Mrs. Nancy Lindley and husband Wm. Lindley and descendants,
Milton M.
Lindley and wife and Mrs. Clara Jackson and husband.
The forenoon was spent in a social way, renewing old
acquaintances and
forming new ones.
At length the hour for dinner arrived to the great
satisfaction of
many. A bountiful dinner was spread on the long table out on the lawn,
it
being kindly provided for us by W. H. Wilkey.
After all had taken their places as the table, we were
led in prayer
by Wm. Lindley, after which we partook of the many delicious dishes of the
season.
Dinner being over, the family and friends assembled
on the lawn in
front of the home. Joseph Wilkey acting as chairman, called the meeting
to
order and gave a few appropriate remarks. M. M. Lindley acted as
secretary.
A program of songs, recitations, solos, duets and talks
were given.
After the program, a motion was made and carried that the Wilkey Reunion be
a permanent organization.
James B. Marks, Flora Gillian and W. H. Wilkey, appointed
as a
committee to decide time and place of next reunion.
They met and reported next reunion would be held at
the same place the
last Wednesday in August 1907.
Officers elected for ensuing year W. S. Wilkey - Pres.,
Mrs. James B.
Marks - Recording Secretary and Joseph Wilkey - Corresponding Secretary.
Meeting closed by singing “God Be With You Till We Meet Again.”
Wm. H. Wilkey - Pres.
Armilda C. Marks - Sec.
PIONEER'S REUNION
Several Who Crossed the Plains to California in the
MAD RUSH AFTER THE DISCOVERY
Of Gold, Meet in Reunion at Hotel Lucile Tuesday--Banquet Spread--Reminiscences of those Exciting Times
The reunion of the California pioneers, of which mention has been previously made in these columns was held at the Hotel Lucile, Madisonville, Tuesday.
Quite a number from this section made the trip across the plains of California during the wild excitement that followed the discovery of gold there in 1849. History tells us of the great privations and dangers endured by these hardy pioneers and of the plains being strewn with the bones of thousands of adventurous spirits who attempted to reach modern Eldorado.
Some years ago, Mr. John MONTGOMERY, of Providence, conveived the idea of having a reunion of all those from this immediate section of the State who made this trip in '49 and the early fifties. He communicated with all he knew and they with others, and as a result the first meeting was held at this place about a year ago.
They had a most enjoyable reunion and adjourned to meet again on Tuesday.
The following pioneers were present Tuesday: John W. BONE, Nebo; John W. COX, Nebo; A.E. COX, Nebo; John MONTGOMERY, Providence; John W. GIVENS, Providence; J.H. ASHBY, Hanson; J.A. JACKSON, Onton, R.B. NUNN, Owensboro; W.A. MAHON, Greenville; Chris CRUMBAKER, Madisonville; Baker PIDCOCK, Madisonville; J.A. RAMSEY, Madisonville; Mrs. Ann JENNINGS, Dalton, who crossed the plains with her husband in 1852.
The following invited guests were present and partook of the hospitality of the association: Mrs. Phoebe THOMASON, Madisonville; Mrs. J.A. JACKSON, Onton; Mrs. John MONTGOMERY, Providence; Mr and Mrs. Clarence GIVENS, Madisonville; Mr. and Mrs. Frank RAMSEY, Madisonville; Rev. J.C. HOPEWELL, Madisonville; Mr. E.G. BISHOP, of the Providence Record; Mrs. J.A. RAMSEY.
After an elegant dinner, the pioneers and guests assembled in the parlors of the Hotel Lucile with John MONTGOMERY in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
Mr. MONTGOMERY gave a history of his trip across the plains in 1849, when the Indians and buffalo roamed unmolested over the vast plains from Missouri to the Pacific coast. Interesting talks were also made by R.B. NUNN, of Owensboro, and by John W. GIVENS, who feelingly said, "When I look upon this body of men, now old and gray haired, I humbly thank God that he has permitted us to meet and talk over the days of 'Auld Lang Syne.'" He also spoke of the wonderful productiveness of the soil of California where he had known 1900 bushels of Irish potatoes to be raised on one acre of ground, and where oats grew six feet tall.
W.A. MAHON, in speaking of his trip to California on an ocean steamer by Cape Horn and Panamas, related some thrilling incidents witnessed on the water when cholera broke out on board the ship. He out of twenty-five was the only one who escaped death. He was stricken first and was reduced in weight from 180 pounds to forty pounds. J.A. JACKSON, W.D. GIVENS, J.H. ASHBY spoke touchingly of their experiences in the West. J.A. RAMSEY also related some of his experiences with the Sioux Indians on Yellow Stone River in 1866.
At the meeting held at this place last September, the following were presented and their respective ages: John C. GIVENS, Nebo, 68; A.E. COX, Nebo, 65; E.J. SPRATT, Princeton, 72; H.L. KESEE, Bordley, 72; Cornelius HAZEL, Sturgis, 72; John W. BONE, Nebo, 67; J.P. BOHANNON, Caseyville, 69; J.H. ASHBY, Hanson, 68; John W. GIVENS, Providence, 66; J.S. McCULLEY, Madisonville, 67; John W. COX, Nebo, 70; J.A. JACKSON, Onton, 67; John MONTGOMERY, Providence, 68; J.A. RAMSEY, Madisonville, 52.
Since the meeting John C. GIVENS and Capt. KESEE have passed to the great beyond, while a few others who were present then were unable for various reasons to be present Tuesday.
It will be but a few years until all these old pioneers have passed the great plain of the unknown into the valley of the shadow of death. But they leave behind a record of imperishable value. They helped to open the great west to settlement and to make this the greatest country on the face of the globe.
The next meeting will be held at Providence on the first Thursday in October, 1897.
(Source: Madisonville Hustler, May 21, 1897)