Biographical Sketch of

Austin Wilkins

Transcribed by Barbara Voss


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 466 - 467

Austin Wilkins, who is engaged in general merchandising in Montello, Marquette County, was born in Vernon, Sussex Co., 
N. J., September 13, 1824 and is a son of James and Hannah (Ferguson) Wilkins. When five years of age he began attending 
school, but shortly afterward his parents removed to another neighborhood and he was obliged to walk three miles to and 
from the school house. When he was ten years of age the family removed to Woodhull, Steuben Co., N.Y. where he again 
resumed his studies, working on the farm during vacations. Five years later, when fifteen years of age, the family 
removed to Athens, Bradford Co., Pa., and three years afterward came to Wisconsin, settling in Darien, Walworth County. 
In 1845 James Wilkins purchased his present fine farm near Fairfield, Rock County, but on retiring to private life 
fifteen years ago left that home and became a resident of Allen�s Grove, in Darien, Walworth County, where his wife died 
in 1877.

Our subject made his home with his father until attaining his majority, when as chance offered and the seasons favored 
he engaged in carpentering, lumbering and rafting lumber down the rivers to St. Louis and other markets. In 1847 he 
leased a farm in Walworth County and engaged in its cultivation for two years, after which he removed to Packwaukee, 
Marquette County, where he bought a claim, entering the land as soon as it came into market. He again sold out in 1867, 
at which time he purchased a half interest in the freight and passenger steamer �Verona,� plying between Portage and 
Oshkosh, but disposed of it after two years and went to Iowa, though his family remained in Montello. In the Hawkeye 
State he entered a claim of 160 acres and after making some improvements sold it at a bargain and returned to his home. 
His next place of residence was Westfield, where he engaged in hotel keeping and dealt in hides, pelts and wool until 
after the memorable destruction of Peshtigo and Marinette by fire about twenty years  ago, when there being  a great 
demand for carpenters, Mr. Wilkins went there to assist in the work of rebuilding those towns. In 1870, he took up his 
residence in Princeton, where he was engaged as a liquor dealer for six years. Occupying a leased building for one year, 
after which he erected a building. Later he kept the Hubbard House and ran the Montello stage. In 1876, we find him again 
in Montello, where in partnership with Michael McCudden, his son- in- law he engaged in the furniture business. His 
efforts in that line were so successful that in 1881 he was enabled to purchase the large store which he now occupies 
as a dealer in general merchandise. Their connection was discontinued in 1883, after a partnership of four years. The 
store owned by Mr. Wilkins is one of the largest in the town and he is regarded as one of Montello�s most popular and 
substantial merchants.

In 1863, Mr. Wilkins was drafted for service in the army but procured a substitute. The man however was killed soon 
after going to the front and in September 1864, he enlisted in Company F, of the 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, with 
his command he was sent to Alexandria, Va., where he did guard duty until the close of the war. He is now a member and 
Senior vice Commander of W. D. Walker Post, No. 64, G. A. R., of Montello. In politics he is a Democrat and though he 
feels an interest in the success and welfare of his party, he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. 
Through the solicitation of friends however he has served four years as Assessor of the town of Packwaukee, was 
Treasurer of the same town, was Constable of Montello and Deputy Sheriff of Marquette County under Mr. Fallis and 
under Mr. Stimpson. 

Mr. Wilkins was first married in June 1847, to Miss Phoebe Gifford, daughter of Stephen Gifford of Darien, Walworth 
County who died November 7, 1878, leaving two children- Laura Ann, who married Michael McCudden of Montello and has 
two children, Bertha and Frank; Albert De Loss, a farmer of the town of Packwaukee, who married Mary, a daughter of 
Samuel R. Rood and has three children, Rowley, Frank and Lotta. On the 14th of April 1883 Mr. Wilkins married his 
present wife, who was Miss Sarah E. Dibell, daughter of Sylvester D. Dibell of Montello. They have had two children 
Ursula, who died May 3, 1889, at the age of three years; and Blossom an infant. 

As a citizen Mr. Wilkins has always been enterprising and progressive, never with holding his support from any worthy 
measure. Though not a church member he has made it a rule of his life to aid all denominations represented in the town 
where he lived, impartially and to the extent of his ability. Education has also ever found in him a generous friend. 
He is a prominent member of the Odd Fellows. In manner, Mr. Wilkins is genial and courteous and has many warm friends 
among all classes of people. He has been usually successful in his business ventures and his home relations have been 
happy in the extreme.

 




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