Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-08-25
COURT ETERNAL.
Judge !. O. Wilkinson Enters
Into Rest.
DIED AT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

U1hU Al JAUASUN Lib yesterday
Close of the Career of the Eminent and
Able Jurist Long Months Of Suffering
Ended-Biographical sketch-rhe Bar
Meets-The Funeral.
A telegram came to Hon. W. H.
Gest last evening conveying the sad
intelligence of the death at the home
of his sister at Jacksonville at IL
O'Clock a. M, of Judge Ira o. Wiki
inson. of Rock Island. Following
80 closely on the assurance re.
Gently received in Rock Island
that the judge was convalescing
and there was every prospect OF
his regaining comparative health at
least, the news that the end had
come bore with it shock that was
keenly felt by the old friends and as
sociates of the deceased.
When the judge left Rock Island
for Jacksonville last spring, it was
feared by those who were most init
mate with him that he would never
return. He had been failing for
some time, but the natural indepen-
deuce OF his nature, which seemed to
reject all offers of attention or com
fort. made it impossible for devoted
friends to render the assistance that
they were wont to offer him. Fin.
ally, however, after much persuasion
he was induced to go to the home OF
his sister in Jacksonville, where he
might receive the tender ministra.
tratiOns such as only the affection OF
. devoted sister might bestow.
Previous to that time the Judge
had been ailing more or less for
years, kidney disorder being the
principal disorder. With surprising
vigor and energy. nevertheless. he
kept about, and his illness was often
times aggravated by the fact that de-
spite the advice of his physician and
the efforts of the nurse to dissuad,
him, he would insist on arising from
his sick bed and coming down from
his room in Masonic temple ad Join
ing his law office and walking about
| the streets.
On the 18th of the present month
DR.. Winslow, of Jacksonville. Judge
Wilkinson's nephew, arrived in Rock
Island for the purpose of removing
the Judges library to Jack sonvilie
and he reported that at time that tn,
| Judges health was much improve
but that he had been prevailed upoi
to pass the remainder of his day.
there among the scenes of his young
er life. Since DR.. Winslow's visit
the friends of Judge Wilkinson her,
have lived in the hope, now dis
PEELED. that Notwithstanding his adj
vanced years. the judge might con
clude to return to Rock Island.
| Biographical.
| Ira Otway Wilkinson was born il
1920 in Pennsylvania county, Va
He was one of seven children. Ii
his childhood his father moved t,
Christian county, Ky, where tn
family remained until 1884, when tn
subject Of this sketch removed t.
Jacksonville, Ill. He was educate,
at the Illinois college, and subse
lquently studied law in the Office q
the late Judge William Thomas. H
practiCed for time in partnership
with Richard Yates, aiterward wa
governor Of Illinois. and in 1915 h
came to Rock Island.
Two sisters are still living, Mrs
Charles Rockwell, Of Jacksonville
ILL.,, and Mrs. James Buckner. o
Louisville. Ky. A brother, Rober
Wilkinson, formerly of Rock Island
is believed to be still living in Mis-
souri,.
| In Rock Island.
Arriving in Rock Island, the judg
Immediately sprang into prominence
Naturally bright and keen, he wa
also well read in law. and he at one
became an acknowledged leader a
the bar, and on Sept. "a. 1S47.. h
was elected probate justice of tn
county, an office which in those day
in measure combined part of tn
duties of the present county judy
and county clerk as well. Will
still serving in that capacity he wa
elected circuit Judge, so that whe
he retired from the probate justice
| snip AVN. ~. 1CfJ. Hc Ut OuCc ell
tered upon his duties as Judge. l
1850-51 he was city attorney. an
again in 1855-56 and 1888. |
the office of judge he served 81
years, retiring in 1856. when tn
law firm Of Wilkinson & Pleas
ants was formed, the junior men
Der being the present Judge
G. Peasants. This copartnershi
existed until 1861, when judy
Wilkinson was again elected Gil
cult judge. succeeding Judge
w. Drury, who had served i
the intervening time. Judge Wi
kinson's term expired in 1885,
but in 1866 he removed to Chicago
where he entered upon the practic
OF his profession. The judge had i
the meantime been appointed Unite
States circuit judge at Omaha b
President johnson, but owing to
lquestion having been raised as t
residence, his confirmation was d.
| feated nOtwith standing that he too