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Family
Marriage: Children:
  1. John Wilkins: Birth: 07 OCT 1861 in Menomonie, Dunn, Wisconsin, USA. Death: 14 JUL 1875 in Beaver Falls, Renville, Minnesota, USA

  2. George Wesley Wilkins: Birth: 18 JAN 1863 in Menomonie, Dunn, Wisconsin, USA. Death: 04 SEP 1950 in Hackensack, Cass, Minnesota, USA

  3. Mary A. Wilkins: Birth: 28 SEP 1864 in Menomonie, Dunn, Wisconsin, USA. Death: 28 JUN 1949

  4. Susan Calista Edith Wilkins: Birth: 28 SEP 1866 in Menomonie, Dunn, Wisconsin, USA. Death: 22 MAR 1947 in Hubbard, Minnesota, USA

  5. Charles Warren Wilkins: Birth: 15 JUL 1868 in Wisconsin, USA. Death: 28 JUL 1949 in Park Rapids, Hubbard, Minnesota, USA

  6. Margaret Wilkins: Birth: 31 MAY 1870 in Minnesota, USA.

  7. Emma C. Wilkins: Birth: 01 FEB 1872 in Beaver Falls, Renville, Minnesota, USA. Death: 17 OCT 1941 in Crow Wing, Crow Wing, Minnesota, USA

  8. Ella D. Wilkins: Birth: 26 JAN 1874 in Beaver Falls, Renville, Minnesota, USA. Death: in St Paul, Dakota, Minnesota, USA

  9. James Wilkins: Birth: 18 NOV 1875 in Renville, Minnesota, USA. Death: 05 SEP 1942 in Otter Tail, Minnesota, USA

  10. Grace Mabel Wilkins: Birth: 16 JUN 1877 in Beaver Falls, Renville, Minnesota, USA. Death: 10 NOV 1963 in Park Rapids, Hubbard, Minnesota, USA

  11. Laura S. Wilkins: Birth: 01 DEC 1880 in Hubbard, Minnesota, USA.


Sources
1. Title:   1900 United States Federal Census
Page:   Database online. Year: 1900; Census Place: Hubbard, Hubbard, Minnesota; Roll: T623_771; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 72.
Author:   Ancestry.com
Publication:   Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2004;
2. Title:   James Wilkins 1930 Census, Census Type: United States Federal Census, Name Of Person: James Wilkins, Place: Park Rapids Village, Todd Twp, Hubbard Co, MN
Publication:   Name: 1930;
3. Title:   Warren Wilkins 1880 Census, Census Type: 1880 United States Federal Census, Name Of Person: Warren Wilkins, Place: Twp 140, Cass Co, MN, Series: T9, Roll: 617, Page: 324
Publication:   Name: 1880;
4. Title:   Warren Wilkins 1870 Census, Census Type: 1870 United States Federal Census, Name Of Person: Warren Wilkins, Place: Beaver, Renville Co, MN, Series: T132, Roll: 9, Page: 89
Publication:   Name: 1870;
5. Title:   Nathaniel Wilkins 1860 Census, Census Type: 1860 United States Federal Census, Name Of Person: Nathaniel Wilkins, Place: Brunswick, Eau Claire Co, WI, Series: M653, Roll: 1407, Page: 88
Publication:   Name: 1860;
6. Title:   Warren Wilkins 1910 Census, Census Type: 1910 United States Federal Census, Name Of Person: Warren Wilkins, Place: Hubbard, Hubbard Co, MN, Series: T624, Roll: 706, Page: 253
Publication:   Name: 1910;
7. Title:   1850 United States Federal Census
Page:   Database online. Year: 1850; Census Place: Portage Prariie, Columbia, Wisconsin; Roll: M432_994; Page: 228A; Image: .
Author:   Ancestry.com
Publication:   Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2009;
8. Title:   1910 United States Federal Census
Page:   Database online. Year: 1910; Census Place: Hubbard, Hubbard, Minnesota; Roll: ; Page: ; Enumeration District: ; Image: .
Author:   Ancestry.com
Publication:   Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2006;
9. Title:   1920 United States Federal Census
Page:   Database online. Year: 1920; Census Place: Hubbard, Hubbard, Minnesota; Roll: T625_831; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 142; Image: .
Author:   Ancestry.com
Publication:   Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2010;
10. Title:   1900 United States Federal Census
Page:   Database online. Year: 1900; Census Place: Hubbard, Hubbard, Minnesota; Roll: T623_771; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 72.
Author:   Ancestry.com
Publication:   Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2004;
11. Title:   1920 United States Federal Census
Page:   Database online. Year: 1920; Census Place: Park Rapids, Hubbard, Minnesota; Roll: T625_831; Page: 10B; Enumeration District: 145; Image: .
Author:   Ancestry.com
Publication:   Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2010;
12. Title:   1910 United States Federal Census
Page:   Database online. Year: 1910; Census Place: Park Rapids, Hubbard, Minnesota; Roll: ; Page: ; Enumeration District: ; Image: .
Author:   Ancestry.com
Publication:   Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2006;
13. Title:   Minnesota Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905
Page:   Database online.
Author:   Ancestry.com
Publication:   Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2007;

Notes
a. Note:   Wilkins Family on Hubbard Prairie Today when we look out over Hubbard Prairie with its comfortable homes, irrigated fields and hard surfaced roads over which people speed along in high powered cars; it is difficult for us to believe that 100 years ago this same country was known only to an occasional trapper or trader, wild animals or Indians. It was not the open prairie that you see today; but was covered by large scattering Norway and Jack Pine under which grew the wild prairie grasses. Across the prairie ran an Indian trail of which a part can still be seen just north of Knutson's house and running northeast to just south of the Temple Hind's property. This trail extended up the east side of the lake. Over this trail the Indians journeyed carrying their furs, maple sugar, and blueberries to the trading post at Leech Lake. About 1878 and early 1879, news had spread to other parts of the state that to the north was a land that could easily be prepared for cultivation, as there was little brush, and it was in a wooded country which could furnish both fuel and shelter. This was an advantage which the western prairies did not offer to the pioneer. Grandpa and Grandma had gone west from Wisconsin seeking a place where they could raise their increasing family. They had stopped near Morton, Minnesota, where they rented a place but had a hard time in that rocky country to get ahead, so Grandpa went north to look at First Shell Prairie, as it was then called. He took a claim and built a log house. This claim is now owned by the Manlove family. The first settler on the Shell Prairie was William Kindred. He came from Verndale with his family and built his home near the ford across Shell River, at what we know as Shell City. They were not alone for long, for others soon followed, some taking claims and making the necessary improvements to hold their claims while they went back for their families. Others remained here for the winter. Some of those who spent the winter of 1879 and 80 here were L.D. Lewis and family of which Erma Benham was a member; Joe Defore and family; Nels Bement and family, of which Aunt Lizzy, mother of Velna Wilson was a member; also Uncle John, father of Freda, Izora, Warren, Lloyd, and Olive. Also other children, Cora, Al, and George and Warren were members. Smith Borums, grandfather of Aimee Branham, spent the winter here as did Hi Hills, Elmer and Fanny Wright, Mr. and Mrs. Miles Sanford and family of which Frank, Fred, and Mrs. Mart Wagner were members. Rude Rex and family, Mr. and Mrs. George Rutherford and sons Eb and George. Toward spring others began to arrive. Mart Rax and family, Charles Tripp, Ira Benham and two children Howard and Cora; Sam Doran and family of which Mrs. Wm. Norman was a member. Sol Benham and children, Lida, Van, and Edmund. Mr. and Mrs. Amos Campton and children Ed and George, also the James Campton family; Ed Hinds, Asher Hinds, S.P. Todd, Mart Wagner and Earnest Benham and others. In May 1880, rains raised the rivers until fording was dangerous, and when word came that several more families were coming, the settlers hurried to construct a bridge over which they could drive. Before the bridge was completed around fifty families arrived and were waiting to cross. Some stopped on the prairie and others went on to second and third prairies. Among those who stopped here were Mr. and Mrs. John Vogtman and nine children. Also Grandpa and Grandma Wilkins with their nine children--George, Mary, Edith, Charles, Emma, Maggie, Ella, Jim, and Grace, who was three years old. Also, other families came. Imagine if you can, Grandma's arrival at the cabin in the wilderness. She had nine children and the tenth on the way. The cabin had one main room and a loft. Indians were camped in the swamp on the back side of their homestead. The nearest store and doctor were forty miles away at Verndale. Is it any wonder she sat in the doorway and cried when she saw it? I've heard Grandpa say that he had two and a half dollars in his pocket when he arrived on Shell Prairie. He did have some cattle and I think a team of horses, but it was May 30th when they arrived. It was too late for most crops to be put into the ground. They hurriedly broke some sod and planted rutabagas, food for family and animals. That summer Grandpa completed the house and put up a log barn and a granary. The next summer, 1881, the granary was used as a school house. There were fifteen or twenty pupils and Aunt Mary was the teacher. The next summer a school house was built of lumber. It was located east of Hubbard across the road from what is now Jim Hind's home. This was used for about six years when a large two-room frame school was built on the east end of the school ground. This was used until about 1925. Of course the crops of 1880 were scant, as only a little ground could be prepared, so the men must provide some means of taking care of their families. As timber was plentiful, many of the men went to the nearby logging camps to work. Others hewed railroad ties and sold them in Verndale. Grandpa hewed ties. My brother, Ira, still has Grandpa's broadaxe. The first white child born on Hubbard Prairie was Maude Campton, born to Mr. and Mrs. Jim Campton. The second white child born here was our own Aunt Laura, born Dec. a, 1880. In December of 1880 also occurred the first death. Mrs. Rachael Campton, grandmother of Johnny Campton, passed away. Her son James donated an acre of ground on the corner of his homestead for a cemetery. This was the beginning of the present burying ground. During the winter several more graves were added when diphtheria and pneumonia took the lives of several children. This was an anxious time for everyone as there were little means of combatting diphtheria in those days and no doctor was nearer than Verndale. When a doctor was needed someone would ride a horse as rapidly as possible to the next place where there was a horse. This party would then take a fresh horse and go on until another horse was reached and so on until he arrived at the doctor's house. Not until 1882 did a doctor live nearer then Verndale. Then a Dr. O'Brian and a Dr. Churchill moved onto the second prairie near Park Rapids. In these first years of the settlement, religious services were held occasionally in the Hubbard and Doran school houses. Reverend Denley was an Indian missionary who did occasionally pass through the settlement. About 1890 the Methodist Church was built. Grandma was a devout Catholic and it was hard for her not to be able to attend church or to raise her children in the faith of her church. The first wedding was performed for a couple from Osage. They had heard that Jarve Howard was a magistrate. When they arrived in Hubbard they found that he often tied the knot for Indian couples but he was not a legally qualified magistrate and could not marry white people. However, he sent them back home and told them that he would secure a license for them and have a magistrate there the next week. They returned the next week to find a minister waiting, but the marriage license was issued in Wadena County, so they drove to the yard of a family named Robinson who lived near Twin Lakes. Here the vows were said in the sleigh and the happy couple returned to Osage. The winter of 1880-81 was an exceptionally hard one. On the morning of October 15th, a heavy wet snow began to fall and lasted all day and all night. Many of the rutabagas which were to be used for food for livestock were buried under two feet of snow which remained until the next April. Snow fell to the depth of six or seven feet and the cold was very intense. The nearest source of supplies was Verndale 40 miles south and at times no supplies could be gotten through. Before spring the last flour was gone and the women were sifting ground feed for material with which to make pancakes and boiling whole wheat for food. I've heard my father tell about that winter, how he and his father hitched up their oxen (they had no horses) each day and drove to the Jarve Howard store in Hubbard just to keep the trail open. Grandpa bought the last sack of flour in the store and took it home and divided with neighbors who had none. A few days later a load of supplies was brought in from Verndale. Life was not all work and hardships. It was beautiful country. People were friendly and often visited one another. If a settler needed a new building, word was passed around, a meeting date was set and everyone helped and the new building was soon in place. Deer and fist were plentiful. One need only to carry a stout line, a hook and a pocket knife with which to cut a sapling for a fishing pole and he was equipped to catch a mess of fish. Frogs were plentiful and fishing was always good. Big ones! Pike, pickerel, (Northerns) and Bass. On New Years Eve 1880, a dance was held at the Wilkin's home to which every one was invited. In spite of the deep snow, most of the settlers managed to get there and a merry time was had by all. In those early days transportation was a big problem. There were no laid out roads, only trails that the Indians had used. A few had horses but many drove oxen. Grain and ties had to be hauled to Verndale to market. Return trips brought needed supplies--flour, sugar, tools, etc. It was considered a four day trip--two days down and two days back with an overnight stop at Leaf River. There was a daily stage which brought mail, passengers, and some supplies from Verndale through Hubbard and Park Rapids to Osage. About 1885, a promoter by the name of Speelman decided to put a steamboat on the Shell River thinking that he could transport people and freight to the Mississippi and on south. The boat was built and started on it's first trip. People were quite excited about it for awhile, but something happened and the boat never returned. In the spring of 1880 a man named Jarve Howard built a hotel and trading post north and west of the place where the Grant Norman home now stands. This hotel was a stopping place for some of the new settlers who were going through to the other prairies and for those who stopped here to build their new homes. Jarve Howard's wife, Old Kate, an Indian squaw ran the hotel doing the cooking and other work. Mr. Howard ran the trading post, carried supplies in which the Indians were interested. Among the Indians often seen here were Little Bird, Jim Goose, Old Kate, and her sister Wabasha Step and a Half. One squaw often seen was called Short and Dirty. She was short and fat but could carry an enormous load. One time two of the settlers asked her to ride on a hay rack on which they had a small load of straw. She passed her pack up to them but the two of them could not pull it onto the rack untill she gave it a boost. In the summer of 1880, another store was built by Jarvis and Ramsey. Their stock was small and consisted of staple groceries and a few pieces of calico. These supplies were freighted in from Verndale by Rude Rex. It was seldom that a barrel of pork or kerosene ever reached the inside of the store. It was weighed or measured on the porch of the store. If you were there you could buy your share. If you sere not there you waited untill next time. Twice a week, mail was brought to the post office at Shell City, then known as Kindred. Once or twice a week someone would go to the post office and get the mail for the settlers who lived on this end of the prairie and bring it to the Ramsey store. By 1890, Hubbard was a thriving town with excellent water power, a 60,000 bushel grain elevator, a flour and grist mill, two good general stores, drugstore. a hardware store, two saloons, a good school, two doctors, a newspaper, a millinery shop, hotel, a butchershop, a bank, two lawyers and a veterinarian, and two churches with ministers, The First Methodist Episcopal and Baptist Church which later became the Christian and Missionary Alliance. There was a great deal of rivalry between Park Rapids and Hubbard in the early days, Park Rapids obtained the court house and the railroad, and after that the village of Hubbard did not grow. Grandpa and Grandma were fortunate in many ways. They raised their children and for a number of years they all lived around them in Hubbard Township. Aunt Ella later moved to the Twin Cities, but the rest continued to live their lives and raise their families in and around Park Rapids and Hubbard. There were many family gatherings and I am sure that Grandpa and Grandma would have been very proud to see this gathering today. This story was compiled by me from notes left by my mother, Mrs. Grace Benham, and from stories told to my brother, Ira H. Benham, and me by our grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ira Benham and Mr. and Mrs. Warren Wilkins and our parents G. Howard Benham and Grace Wilkins Benham. Mrs. Iva Benham Smith. Obituary for Warren Wilkins: Warren Wilkins was born in January 1838 in New York. His parents were born in Vermont. His wife, Mary Margaret A., was born about 1839 in Ireland, where her parents were born. Warren was the first elected commissioner for district three. Children: George W. was born in 1863 in Wisconsin; Mary was born in 1865 in Wisconsin; Susan Edith was born in 1867 in Wisconsin; Charles was born in 1873 in Wisconsin (?); Emma E. was born in 1874 in Minnesota; Ellen D. was born in 1875 (?) in Minnesota; James was born in 1876 in Minnesota; Grace was born in 1878 in Minnesota; and Laura was born in 1881 in Minnesota. Warren Wilkins was a farmer who moved to Minnesota in 1869 and to the Hubbard Enumeration District in the summer of 1880. On June 30, 1880, William Denley enumerated the family in township 139/140 in Cass County. The August 3, 1882, Enterprise noticed that Mary would complete a successful teaching term in Manter in two weeks. The Wilkins family hosted many dances in their large house. In May 1885 Nelson Bement enumerated the family 20th in Hubbard. On June 14, 1895, E.R. Hinds enumerated them 35th in Hubbard Township. www.rootsweb.com/~mnhgs/online_data/biographica.../v_z.ht WILKINS Warren W. Wilkins was born at Potsdam, New York January 15, 1838. At an early age he moved with his parents to Wisconsin. He was married to Margaret Lawn at Eau Claire, Wisconsin, December 16, 1860. In March 1869 they moved to Renville County Minnesota. In 1879 he took up a homestead on Hubbard Prairie, and in the spring of 1880 they moved there with their family. Since then they have lived in the vicinity of Hubbard, and thd owned their homestead until last August. Eleven children were born to them, ten of whom are living. All were able to be with him in his last hours. Namely, George, Charles and James of Park Rapids, Minnesota. Mrs., E.R. Hinds, Mrs. J.F. Bement, Mrs. Charles McFarren, Mrs. B.L. Waterman, Mrs. G.H. Benham, and Mrs., James Gunn, all of Hubbard and Mrs. Charles Foster of Minneapolis. He was stricken with pneumonia January 11th and died January 20th. The funeral services were held in the I.O.O.F. Hall, conducted by the Odd Fellows, of which order he had been a member for more than twenty five years. Rev. Caleb Benham read the funeral service. The remains were laid to rest in the Hubbard cemetery. Louis and Nathaniel Wilkins of Cameron, Wisconsin, nephews of the deceased were present at the funeral. Enterprise, January 29, 1914. OBITUARY, Warren Wilkins was born in Potsdam, New York, in 1838 and when a child of three years old his parents moved to Rock Prairie Wis., where he spent most of his childhood. In 1857 he moved to Eau Claire, Wis. On Dec. 16th 1860 he was married to Margaret Lawn, from there they moved to Renvile county, Minn. In 1879 they drove across the country with an ox team and landed on what was known as Hubbard Prairie. They then settled on their homestead just outside of Hubbard. In 1895 they retired from the farm and moved into town where they have since lived. Eleven children were born to bless this union, one having died when about 14 years of age, but ten grew to manhood and womanhood. All lived near and had the privilege of being at his bedside and helped care for him in his last sickness. He was taken with pneumonia on Jan. 11th and died Jan. 20th 1914, at his home in Hubbard. And it can be truthfully said that the community and people are better for his having lived in their midst. At the time of his death, Grandpa Wilkins was the oldest member of the I.O.O.F. lodge of this place. The funeral services werre held at the I.O.O.F. hall, where friends and neighbors met to pay their last respects to one honored and respected by all. CARD OF THANKS We wish to extend thanks to all the kind friends and neighbors, who so kindly offered their assistance and sympathy in our recent bereavement and for the beautiful floral offerings. Mrs. Warren Wilkins and family. Hubbard County Clipper, January 29, 1914. www.rootsweb.com/~mnhgs/online_data/obits/wzobits.htm
b. Note:   Hubbard County Records, Book D, pg. 75, Line 31 : Married, DOB 1/15/1838, DOD 1/20/1914, age 76-0-5, Farmer, Illness-pneumonia 10 day duration, Birthplace NY, Father Birthplace VT, Mother Birthplace ?.
c. Note:   Burial place from http://files.usgwarchives.org/mn/hubbard/cemeteries/hubcem.txt 2 Jan 2008.
d. Note:   Occupation: Farmer
e. Note:   Occupation: Farmer. 11 Jun 2008.
f. Note:   Census date and place from Ancestry.com. Minnesota Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905. 28 Jun 2008.
g. Note:   Census date and place from Ancestry.com. Minnesota Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905. 29 Jun 2008.
h. Note:   Marriage date and place from http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:2511317&id=I1947 22 May 2006.


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