The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-29
OBITUARY.
COLONEL EDWARD WILKINS.

COLONEL EDWARD WILKINS
Colonel Edward wilkins died early yesterday morn
ing at Riverside. his magnificent country seat. in
Kent county. Nd quite suddenly. after an attack OF
indigestion. producing neuralgia of the heart, aged
sixty-fve. Colonel wilkins was widely and favorably
known in Baltimore and all over Maryland. He was
a native of Kent county and made that county
his home. He was twice married and leaves five
children. His first wife, who Miss JONES' bore
him three children. of whom. son. is still liv-
ing. daughter by his first wife the wife of
Mr.. II. s. Emory. we'll known farmer. formerly of
Queen Anne. but now living in Kent county. His
second wife Miss Merritt, also of Kent county,
and aunt of Mrs. Captain Burchinal
whose husband is Deputy Collector OF Bati-
more. Colonel Wilkins was often connected
with politics and took a lively interest in
public affairs, but he devoted nearly all his
life to agricultural pursuits. He was the first to
ccssfully introduce peach culture on the Eastern
shore. and at the time of ms death the largest
peach grower in Maryland and last year it is stated
made profit of $4,000 from the product of one of
his peach farms Riverside, . few miles from
the finest estate in Kent. His father left him
only a small patrimony, and his fortune was
much interest in other branches Of agriculture. He
attended the recent Dairymans Convention in New
York. and upon returning expressed his qualification
at what Ae had heard and said he hoped to see the
day when a intelligent interest i'll this subject
would be taken by Maryland farmers. When the war
OF DfOke out III 1901
pathized with the federal cause He was very active
in his county in advocating the side of
the North and with Colonel Rogers, OF
Havre de Grace, raised regiment called the
Second Maryland Eastern Shore volunteers. Eight
companies of this regiment We're raised through his
personal efforts He was appointed colonel OF this
regiment, and remained i'll command for over year,
when he resigned, and succeeded by Colonel
Rogers. While Colonel wilkins commanded it,
the regiment principally ON duty in Baltimore
aud the Eastern shore of Virginia. After his resig-
nation it sent to the front and did good
service in Virginia In politics Colonel wilkins
an old line wing and opposed to slavery.
After the wing party went out OF existence
he allied himself with parties opposed to democracy
He elected a native American to the Maryla
Senate in 1856 and served four years, from 1857 to
time but was defeated by George vickers. In 1875
he nominated by the republicans and re-
formers for Comptroller OF the Treasury in
opposition to Levin Woolford He canvassed
the State, making speeches in Baltimore, in
his own section and in Western Maryland with
John L. Thomas, Jr, but with the rest OF the State
ticket his party he defeated Colonel wilkins
appointed Collector of Baltimore by President Grant
Ill August, 1876. His administration was able and
popular with the merchants well satisfactory to
the government. For political reasons, however, he
was removed from Office by President Hayes and
left the position the 9TH of July. 1877, having
been Collector less than one year. He succeeded
by John l.. Thomas. the present Collector. Colonel
Wilkins very popular with all who knew him,
and was highly esteemed and respected by his init
mate friends. He distinguished for the geniality
the relations of life The flag at the Baltimore
tom House ordered to be dsplayeda ut half by
Collector Thomas when he learned of the death of his
predecessor.