The same author continues—"He is a quiet, but untiring, energetic and thorough business man. It is these qualities that secure success to business. He honestly won it, and richly merits its rewards. The habits of industry, economy and untiring devotion to whatever business they are engaged in, are Rhode Island virtues, which is a portion of their education and upon which they rely for success. That such men should prosper and be successful is only the just reward due to the practice of these habits. We rejoice to witness the success of these men, and it gives us pleasure to chronicle their histories. They are the men who give business character to cities, and contribute to their growth in population and their advancement in wealth and prosperity."

Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson are members of the Episcopal Church of Troy—Rev. Henry C. Potter, Rector. Mr. W. is a member of the vestry, and takes an active part in all the deliberations and enterprises which tend to advance the temporal and spiritual prosperity of the church. In all matters of benevolence and charity, he is not a whit behind the most liberal, and realizes the truthfulness of our Savior's saying—"It is more blessed to give than to receive." He is a friend of popular education, conservative in politics, liberal in religion, social, genial, and fond of the company of learned men. One trait of his character is worthy of note, and is expressed by Wordsworth as follows—

Andrew Jackson Wilkinson, the son of Almadus and Margaret (Magee) Wilkinson was born in the town of Foster, R. I. May 20, 1830. Having lost his father at an early age his elder brother and sisters helped him to an education such as he could obtain at a district school until he was fourteen years of age. At eighteen he was established in business at Troy, N. Y., by his brother George. At twenty-four he had acquired a competency for a single man, and having a passion to see the world, he determined to quit business and visit Europe. In April, 1854, he embarked at New York as Bearer of Dispatches from William L. Marcy, then Secretary of State, to the United States Ministers in London and in Paris, which he delivered in Liverpool to a messenger appointed to receive them. He then commenced a tour of England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland—France, Piedmont, Tuscany—The Papal States, Lombardy, Switzerland, Baden, the Two Hesses, Rhenish Prussia and Prussia proper.—The Rhine from Mayence to Cologne, Holland and Belgium. He visited Liverpool, Manchester, York, Stratford on Avon, Windsor Castle, Chesterland, Bangor.—Crossing the Irish Channel from Holyhead to Kingstown he visited Dublin, Clonmell, Cork, and traveled by stage coach and row-boat along the south coast and on the waters of Bantry Bay, through the district memorable as the scene of the Irish famine of 1848 to Bandon, Bantry and Glengarift. There he took a jaunting car over the Kerry mountains to the Lakes of Killarney. Returning to Dublin, he traveled north to Belfast, and crossed the channel to Glasgow. While here he made an excursion to the birthplace of Burns, and saw the house where he lived and died. Leaving Glasgow he visited Loch Lomond, Loch Katrine, and the Highlands of Scotland. By way of Stirling and the Firth of Forth he entered Edinburgh. While here he paid a visit to Dryburgh Abbey where the remains of Sir Walter Scott now repose. Returning to London he attended the opening of the Crystal Palace at Sydenham—Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and the royal family of England with the King of Portugal took part in the ceremonies. From London he crossed the English Channel and traveled to Paris by rail. From Paris to Marseilles by the way of Lyons and Avignon. From Marseilles he proceeded on his journey by steamer on the Mediterranean, touching at Genoa, the birth-place of Columbus, and Leghorn. The end of the voyage was reached at Civitta Vecchia. From this place he reached Rome on the night of the festival of St. Peter and St. Paul. The Eternal city was brilliantly illuminated and the streets were thronged with moving thousands of people. Visiting all of the noted objects of interest in that remarkable city, that could be seen in a fortnight's stay, he returned to Civitta Vecchia, and by steamer reached Leghorn. From here he went to Pisa and Florence, and thence over the Appenines to Bologna, Ferrara and Padua to Venice. From Venice to Milan. At Ferrara he became acquainted with a Cardian gentleman he calls Parker. He was a very tall man—standing more than six feet high, with legs in proportion. Wilkinson's height being but five feet, eight inches, they were not very well matched in this respect. Mr. P. was like some other travelers short of money, and in Venice he borrowed from Wilkinson, and this made them intimate during the time they were traveling the same route. They were both going to Switzerland, and Parker proposed after leaving Milan that they forsake the diligence, or coach at Domo d'Ossola (a little village at the foot of the Alps on the Italian side) and walk over the Simplon Pass to Brieg on the Swiss side at the foot of the Simplon road. This was a distance of 45 miles. They sent their baggage by the diligence, and according to programme began the ascent. For the first five miles Wilkinson kept up with Parker without extraordinary fatigue, but when they reached Della a small Italian village ten miles from their starting point, Parker's long legs began to be too much for Wilkinson. They stopt sic there that night and at day-break being somewhat refreshed they started again. It was a hot August day and the sun of Italy was exhausting. They had arrived within a mile of the Hospice on the summit of Simplon Pass when Wilkinson fainted from sheer fatigue, falling down insensible. When aroused to consciousness he found himself borne on the backs of laborers, who had been breaking stones on the road. They conveyed him to the Hospital and the monks in charge put him to bed, covered him with blankets and administered restoratives with such good effect, that he awoke next morning, ate a hearty breakfast, and felt as well as ever. For all this attention so kindly bestowed, no renumeration was accepted directly. All travelers have an opportunity to contribute to this noble charity by depositing what amount they see fit in the contribution box always to be found in the chapel of the Hospice. In writing of this event, Mr. W. says, "I did not fail to perform this duty, and with a grateful heart took my leave of those hospitable monks." They walked the balance of the way to Brieg, and came into that town perfectly fresh. Here they took the diligence for Villanuova, and from that place by steamer on Lake Leman to Geneva. He left Switzerland by Lausanne, Neufchatel, and Basle. From Basle to Strasburg. At Kehl he entered Germany and visited Baden Baden, Hombourg, Heidelberg, Cologne, Potsdam, Berlin, and the City of Hamburg. He left Hamburg in a steamer for Amsterdam, passing through the Zuyder Zee. After seeing the most of North Holland he departed for Rotterdam,—then to Antwerp, and thence to the Hague. He also visited Brussels and the famous field of Waterloo. This closed the tour.

In a letter to the compiler, Mr. W. says, "On my return to Paris I was met by some American friends, who urged me to remain a fortnight beyond the time I had fixed to return home, by so doing, I could take the steamship Arctic of the Collins's line, and have the pleasure of their company. I was in haste to reach home, and declined. It was, perhaps, the means of escaping death at that time. The Arctic was run into by a French steamer off the coast of Newfoundland and sunk in a few minutes. Those friends who had urged me to accompany them—perished! I had been two weeks at home, when news of this appalling calamity reached me."

For three years previous to his visit to Europe, Mr. W. had been engaged in the wholesale clothing business in New York City. After his return to America he engaged in business in Troy, N. Y. In the spring of 1856 he removed to the west, and — settled as a wholesale and retail druggist in Keokuk, Iowa. During his residence there he has aided with other gentlemen in establishing a Public Library, which has become an important institution of the town. Its property is valued at $10,000,—has over 4000 volumes of books, and in the collection valuable and extensive works on history, the sciences, arts, manufactures and philosophy,—copious works of reference and miscellany for the general reader. He was elected its first President, and has been annually re-elected ever since, having filled the office for three years. His report and resignation were published in the Daily Gate City of Keokuk, Iowa, May 10, 1866. The following article taken from the Troy Daily Times exhibits the estimation in which he is held by his friends in the latter city.

The author is under obligations to Mr. W. for the interest he has manifested in this work, and the aid he has given in instituting researches in England concerning Lawrence Wilkinson, et cetera.

His spirit and enterprise fully sustains the reputation of his ancestors, who, in the early days of the Republic, were noted for the encouragement they gave to industrial and literary pursuits.

He has recently been elected alderman of the Third Ward of the city of Keokuk, and appointed by the mayor, chairman of the finance committee—a position, at the present time, involving considerable labor and skillful financiering, owing to the fact that the city is indebted over a million dollars, which, although she does not in fact repudiate, yet under existing circumstances, does not find it convenient to pay. Mr. Wilkinson is regarded fully competent to the task, and it is confidently hoped that the result will demonstrate the wisdom of the appointment.

Since the above was penned Mr. W. has been elected Mayor of Keokuk.

George William Wilkinson, oldest son of Pardon W. and Cynthia (Mason) his wife, was born in the town of Ira, Vt. In his youth he manifested a love for the mechanical arts, and the rivulet that flowed through his father's farm was the scene of his first efforts in the mill-wright business. Its waters were diverted to turn his miniature grist- and saw-mills, and grind-stones, and, as he advanced in years, he rose to the more important principles and works of art, and stood at the head of this industrial enterprise in the State of Vermont. His first permanent engagement was with Mr. Hyde of Hydeville, where he remained for nearly seven years, as the principal overseer the various mills at that place. He was extensively engaged in building mills in his native state; and so important had become the marble works; and his ingenuity and reputation as a mechanic so extensively known, that he was called out of the state to plan and construct establishments of this kind. At Philadelphia he erected a large marble factory at a cost of about $40,000, and all the improvements that had been made in the extensive works at Rutland, Vt., were introduced here to the entire satisfaction of Mr. Jacobi, his employer. After his return from Philadelphia, he engaged with Mr. Ripley in Rutland, in his flouring and marble mills, and subsequently made arrangements to go to Cleveland, Ohio and put in operation marble works in that city. Previous to going to Cleveland, sic he went to Poultney, to repair a mill, and while there, was seized with a fatal malady, which terminated his useful life. The marble men in Rutland erected to his memory a beautiful monument, which marks his last resting place near the present residence of his Uncle Ira, about four miles of West Rutland. The following obituary is taken from a Vermont newspaper.

His education was acquired in the district school in his native town, and at Poultney and Castleton Seminaries, and although not liberally educated he was a man of great native talents, and possessed in a remarkable degree an intuitive knowledge of the mechanic arts.

At the age of twenty-nine he married Helen Joy of Poultney, and by her had one child of such sweetness of disposition, and beauty of features that she was universally loved and admired by all who knew her. Her name was Helen Antoinette, but she was called by the pet name "Lillie," wherever she went. With a bearing far above her years, and a judgment truly marvelous, she was too delicate—too promising—too ethereal to remain long in this vain world. She longed to see her father, who had gone to "that bourn from which no traveler returns"—and often said—after she was seized with that fatal destroyer of children, diptheria—"that she would like to die—for then she would see her father." Her wish was answered and she soon fell asleep. In the Rutland Herald the following obituary notice appeared:

An ambrotype taken after death reveals the fairest form of human mould with a smile wreathing her sweet face, and her eyes closed, as if calm slumber and pleasant dreams were occupying her mind. Attached to the picture are the following stanzas placed there by a loving hand, which had often led her, and smoothed her fair brow in death.

Charles Brownell Wilkinson, son of Thomas Knight Wilkinson and Lydia (Salisbury,) was born Oct. 15, 1827, commenced the study of law in the law office of Carpenter and Fowler, Waterville, N. Y., in 1846,—completed his studies in the office of Mann and Edmonds, Utica, N. Y., was admitted to practice as an attorney and counselor, at Albany, in February, 1849. In March, 1850, entered into co-partnership with Messrs. Hubbard and Terry, alcohol manufacturers in Waterville, Oneida county; the partnership being dissolved by limitation, May 1, 1855. He then removed to Toledo, Ohio, and was President of the "Toledo Nursery Association" from June, 1855, to June, 1856, when he removed to Deansville, Oneida Co., N. Y., where he erected a large distillery and flouring mill. In 1858 and 1859, he was chosen supervisor of the town of Marshall (in which Deansville is located.) In the fall of 1859, he was the Democratic nominee of the second district of Oneida County, which district being over 2000 Republican, elected his opponent;—Mr. W. running ahead of his party ticket in every town in the district. In 1854, he started the Waterville Journal, a weekly newspaper published in Waterville, N. Y., which he continued to edit till his removal to Ohio in 1855. While living in Deansville, N. Y. in 1857, he began the publication of the Waterville Times,—the Journal having died within a year after he left it—and maintained his connection with that paper till January 1860, when he disposed of his interest in the Times, and Deansvile sic Mills, and he removed to St. Joseph, Mo., where he resumed the practice of law, which profession ceased to be renumerative there in 1861 on the breaking out of the Rebellion,—no civil or criminal courts being held in Missouri except in the city of St. Louis, for over three years. In Sept., 1861, and while Mr. Wilkinson was clerk in the office of the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, the rebels took possession of St. Joseph, and he being known as a correspondent of the N. Y. Tribune, the Missouri Democrat and St. Louis Republican, as well as the author of a radically Union editorial in the St. Joseph Journal—published on the morning of their entrance into that city—an order was written by the rebel commander for his arrest, which order would have been executed, as well as the party mentioned therein, had not Mr. Wilkinson crossed over the Missouri River, and retreated through Kansas into Nebraska Territory. In Feb., 1862, he commenced the publication of the first and only radical Union paper in Northern Missouri, the St. Joseph "Daily Morning Herald," which newspaper has stood unflinchingly by the Union cause, and the administrations of Abraham Lincoln, and his successor, And. Johnson, and now (1865) has a very large daily and weekly circulation in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois.

In Aug., 1862, Mr. W. was appointed by President Lincoln, Internal Revenue Collector of the 3d District of Missouri—embracing all that portion of the state lying north of the Missouri River, 44 counties. In April, 1865, President Johnson sub-divided the District and appointed him Collector of the Sixth District—25 counties, which position he now holds (1865).

Mr. W. is a ready writer, a fine speaker, apt in his illustrations, and a man of extensive reading. His paper is deservedly popular and exhibits the marks of a superior journalist.

Since the above was written Mr. W. has been elected a member of the Legislature of Missouri, and has gained the enviable reputation of making the best speech delivered in the House for many years.

James Wilkinson, an American general; born in Maryland in 1757, died near the city of Mexico, Dec. 28, 1825. He studied medicine in Philadelphia and commenced practice in his native state, but when the revolution broke out joined a rifle company before Boston, and in Sept., 1775, was appointed a Captain in a New Hampshire regiment. The next year he joined Arnold in Canada. He made the campaign of 1777, as Adjutant General on the staff of Gen. Gates with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and in November of that year was breveted a Brigidier General. In the following January he became Secretary of the board of war. He quarrelled sic with and challenged Gates, but the duel was prevented by their friends; when Gates became President of the board of war, he resigned his secretaryship. The jealousy of the officers who had felt themselves slighted by his promotion also induced him to throw up his brevet. He was now unemployed until July, 1779, when he became clothier general to the forces. After the peace he settled at Lexington, Ky., as agent of a commercial company in Philadelphia and may be said to have founded that trade between that region and New Orleans. In 1791 he was appointed Colonel of an expedition against the Wabash Indians, in November of the same year Lieutenant Colonel of 2d regular infantry, and in Mar., 1792, Brigidier General. He commanded the right wing of Wayne's army at the battle of the Maumee, Aug. 20, 1794. In Dec., 1796, he became General-in-Chief of the Army, with his headquarters at Pittsburgh, and in 1798, on the organization of the Territory of Mississippi, fixed his head-quarters at Natchez. He was one of the commissioners for receiving possession of Louisiana in 1803, was Governor of that territory 1805-6, was next employed in protecting the South-west frontier from invasions by the Spaniards, who had assembled a large body of troops on the east boundary of Texas, and afterwards went to New Orleans and was actively employed in breaking up the plans of Aaron Burr. The friends of Burr procured an investigation into his official conduct, which resulted in his favor, and he was ordered back to New Orleans, first visiting Havanna sic on a special mission. He was again superceded in Dec., 1809, and in July, 1811, tried by court-martial on charges of receiving bribes from Spain and connived at the designs of Burr. He was acquitted and returned to New Orleans in 1812, a few days before the declaration of war. In March, 1813, he was appointed Major General. The next month he reduced Mobile, and in May was removed to the northern frontier. His operations against Canada were totally unsuccessful, in great measure because he could not agree with the other American commander in that neighborhood, Gen. Wade Hampton. In Feb., 1814, the Secretary of War preferred charges against Wilkinson, and recommended that a court of inquiry should examine into his conduct. He was accordingly superceded, and ordered to consider himself under arrest, and to reside in Philadelphia, Baltimore, or Annapolis. When Washington was menaced by the British, he offered, if his arrest was suspended, to take command of the militia and save the city, but no notice was taken of the offer. He was tried by court-martial at Troy in January to March, 1815, and honorably acquitted. On the reduction of the army the same year he was one of the 1800 officers discharged. Retiring to Germantown, Pa., he employed himself in writing his "Memoirs," which were published in 1816, (3 Vols., 8 vo.). Subsequently he went to Mexico, and three or four months before his death obtained from the Mexican government a grant of land in Texas.

In his "Memoirs" the Gen. says:  "My ancestors were all from England and the three first emigrated to the province of Maryland in the 16th? [17th] century They settled on a tongue of land formed by the Chesapeake Bay and Patuxent River." His father's and grandfather's name was Joseph. He had a brother, Gen. Joseph Wilkinson of Calvert Co., Md. The first volume of Niles' Register gives an account of his trial and acquittal signed by President Madison.