George Washington Wilhelm

by K. Elizabeth Wilhelm Price

George Washington Wilhelm, born February 22, 1840, but better known to everyone as “Wash Wilhelm,” was one of ten children born to Peter and Elizabeth Kohn Wilhelm of Elka (Elko), Maryland. Wash grew to manhood there, helping his father operate a large farm and a sawmill. On Christmas Day 1860 he married the girl next door, Mary Elizabeth Cullings, who lived on the adjoining farm. To this union eleven children were born.

In 1872, they joined other pioneers, and moved westward to Atlanta, Illinois, where they remained ten years. In the fall of 1881, Wash still having the urge to move farther west, took two of this (his) and came to Dakota Territory by train. Ashton was as far as the railroad went so that partly determined where they would locate. They camped the first night on Snake Creek, midway between Ashton and Athol. In the next few days he staked a claim that became the Wilhelm Homestead. The rest of the winter was spent in working the soil and building a small house in preparation for his family.

In the spring of 1882 he returned to Atlanta, Illinois, for his family. By the time several other people, some families, some single men, were interested in going west. So a group of fifteen families chartered an Immigrant train to come to Dakota Territory. Wash Wilhelm was the Senior member of this group and Alonzo Druly was just a young lad. Alonzo lived with the Wilhelm family the first winter. Then he a George, Wash’s oldest son, staked a claim on a half section of land near Athol and built a shanty on it.

By this town all but three families, the Druly’s, the Perriton’s, and the Wilhelm’s, were discouraged and started back to Illinois. The three remaining families bought furniture and equipment from those who were leaving. Mother Wilhelm, Wash’s wife, said “Wash never got discouraged or unhappy,” she always said, “It can be done.” She also said “the children and I had a much easier life trhan many of the early settlers because Wash was such a hard worker and such a good organizer.”

Four of the Wilhelm children, Margaret, Jim, Harvey, and Herb, went to school in a country school a little over a mile from where they lived. Wash later bought the schoolhouse and moved it to Athol where he maid it the main part of their house.

In 1901, Wash Wilhelm retired from the farm and moved into Athol where he lived until his death on January 18, 1938. At the time of his death Wash Wilhelm was recognized as the oldest person in Spink County and the oldest “Odd Fellow” member in the state, 77 years membership.

The descendants of Wash Wilhelm who remained in Spink County were engaged in a verity of occupations and businesses:

George Ellsworth Wilhelm, son, operated a Hotel and Livery stable in Athol and was the driver of an horse-drawn streetcar with a one mile route. He ran a livery stable in Ashton and in 1919, became the County Sheriff on Red field, holding this office for two terms.

Ella Mae Wilhelm, daughter, was a seamstress and always lived at home caring for her folks.

Frank Peter Wilhelm, son, was a farmer all his life, living east of Athol.

James Wilhelm, son, after his marriage in 1893, lived one mile south of the Homestead until 1904, when they moved to the Homestead to live with his brother, Harve. After short stays in Athol, Ashton where he was in the elevator business from 1905 t0 1919. From 1919 to 1936, he and his two sons Maurice and Charles, ran a General Merchandise Store.

Margaret jane Wilhelm Robertson, daughter, lived at Conde after her marriage.

Harvey Henry Wilhelm, son, always lived on the Homestead, taking over operation when his folks moved to Athol in 1901. Harve lived on the homestead 55 years before he retires and moved to Athol in 1937.

Herbert Joseph Wilhelm, son, ran an elevator in Athol and later was deputy in Redfield, under his brother, George.

Ralph Leslie Wilhelm, grandson, first was a barber in Ashton and then went into the Merchandise Store with his father from 1919 to 1936. In 1940 he was deputy sheriff in Redfield. From 1941 to 1955, he was in the Implement Business in Redfield. He was appointed Post master in 1955, and held that position until his death.

Roy Carlos Wilhelm, grandson, farmed for several years at Frankfort and on the Homestead which he bought when Wash Wilhelm died. In 1951, he and his brother Leslie, who had been farming at Brantford, bought the Wilhelm Implement Co. in Redfield, from Maurice Wilhelm. Ten years later they both retired.

Copied by Steve Pearce, August 13, 2001

spearce@knology.net

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/p/e/a/William-S-Pearce/