ERIE COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA ILLUSTRATED

Nelsons’s
Biographical Dictionary
And
Historical Reference Book…
Of Erie County, Pennsylvania

1896: S.B. Nelson, Publisher, Erie, Pa.    (portions on Pages 797 and 798)

     Abel Wilkinson (deceased) was born February 28, 1824, in Greenfield township, son of 
Alanson and Anna Wilkinson, who came to Erie county about 1800, from Cayuga county, New 
York.  Alanson was born in Connecticut in 1780 of English parentage, and participated in the 
war of 1812.  Abel Wilkinson was married to Thankful Sprague, daughter of Abner Sprague, of 
Ripley, NY.  Six children were the result of this union:  Barton A., born November 4, 1845, in 
Greenfiled township, served in the navy on the steamer “General Thomas” during the late Civil 
War; he married, in 1868, Annarila Carnahan, who died in January, 1882, leaving two children, 
Frederick Eugene and Dora.  He married, November 15, 1883, Eleanor Reynolds, of Findley’s  
Lake, N.Y., where they now reside with four children of that union:  Agnes May, Grant 
Zubulum, Fern and Nora Eleanor.  Charles H. was born January 1, 1846, and married Ellen 
Atkins in December, 1870, by whom he had two children, Arthur Leslie and Blanch.  He was 
married again October 8, 1893, to Carrie Davis, of Greenfiled, where they now reside.   George 
Sprague was born May 8, 1858, and married October 2, 1873, to Roby Jane Walling, daughter of 
Thomas and Laura Walling,  pioneers of Erie county.  Three children live to bless this union:  
Jessie, who married C.A. Brandeau, of North East township; Myrtle May , who married Harry 
Kress, of Greenfield thownship, who are living on the Walling homestead, and George Henry.   
George Sprague Wilkinson is an ardent Prohibitionist and member of the United Brethren 
Church.  Thomas Orlando was born November 17, 1850, and married, October 4, 1877, to 
Asenath E. Walling, another daughter of Thomas and Laura Walling.   Four children bless this 
union:  Genevieve R., born July 16, 1878: Frank E., March 27, 1881; Grace Mabel, April 8, 
1884; Ethel Beatrice, October 2, 1890.  They are United Brethren, and Mr. Wilkinson is a 
Republican in politics.  He held the office of town clerk three years, taught school five terms, 
attended the Lake Shore Seminary three years, has a fine farm of 106 acres, which he earned 
himself and which is in prosperous condition.  Alice M. (deceased) and  William H., of Oregon.  
Mrs. Abel Wilkinson died of heart failure March 20, 1860, and is buried in the Grahamville 
burying grounds

.

    Abel Wilkinson was again married April 21, 1860, to Phoebe L. Bemiss, daughter of Thomas 
B. and Salinda Bemiss, of English parentage.  Four children were the result of this union:  Sarah 
M. was born September 9, 1861, and married November 15, 1893, to James Devine, son of 
Bernard and Lucy M. Devine, of North East, of Irish and English parentage;  they have two 
children, William James and George Edward; they are United Brethren in religion, Republicans 
in politics, and live on an adjoining farm, which they have earned themselves.  Phoebe L. was 
born February 21, 1862, and married  Joseph Dobson April 3, 1880, and have one child, Cora E.   
Eva May was born May 12, 1872, and married February 21, 1891, to Edward J. Smith; they have 
one child, Ralph E.  The last son, John J., is married and living on the homestead.  Mr. Abel 
Wilkinson was on of the pioneers of Erie county, is a Republican to the backbone, and was the 
first to enlist in the army during the late war; participated in the battles of Bull Run, Antietam 
and Gettysburg, and was wounded in the neck by the enemy’s bullets in the Wilderness fight.  
He belonged to Co. C, 140th Reg., P.V.I., 2d Div. Of the army of the Potomac.  He died leaving a 
life history worthy of a place in the annals of the nation, and particularly the history of Erie 
county.