- Frank Wilkeson
Frank Wilkeson (March 8, 1848 – April 22, 1913) was an American journalist, soldier, farmer and explorer. He wrote several books, including an autobiography of his service in the
Union Army during theAmerican Civil War . He was among the first white men to explore and map theCascade Pass in the state ofWashington .Wilkeson was born in
Buffalo, New York , in 1848 to a prominent and wealthy family. He was the youngest son of famed journalist Samuel Wilkeson (1817-1889) and Catherine Cady, a sister of social activistElizabeth Cady Stanton . Their next door neighbor was PresidentMillard Fillmore . [http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USACWwilkeson.htm Spartacus] Retrieved on2008-10-08 ] One of his older brothers, Bayard Wilkeson, would be killed during the Civil War at theBattle of Gettysburg while commanding anartillery battery on what became known as Barlow's Knoll. Frank was educated atNew London, Connecticut , and inNew Hampshire .Their father, Samuel Wilkeson, was a newspaper correspondent who covered the Civil War for the "
New York Times " and was present at Gettysburg during the battle in which 19-year-old Bayard was killed. A year later, 14-year-old Frank ran away from home and on March 26, 1864, joined the Union Army. Claiming he was an 18-year-old farmer, young Wilkeson enlisted in the 11th Battery of the New York Light Artillery.Wilkeson was sent to serve in the
Army of the Potomac inNorthern Virginia , where he took part in theOverland Campaign of GeneralUlysses S. Grant . He fought in theBattle of the Wilderness in May and then took part in theSiege of Petersburg . On June 21, 1864, Wilkeson was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 4th U.S. Artillery. He was sent to help man the defenses ofWashington, D.C. . Later in the war, Wilkeson led a unit guarding prisoners atElmira Prison inUpstate New York . Wilkeson left the army in March 1866.Wilkeson subsequently worked as a mining engineer in
Pennsylvania and, after marrying Mary Crouse in 1869, the couple settled in Johnstown. In 1871 they moved toGypsum, Kansas , where they managed a large cattle ranch and wheat farm.In the 1880s Wilkeson wrote for several newspapers including the "New York Times", as well as contributing articles to periodicals such as "
Harper's Weekly ". A book on his military experiences, "Turned Inside Out: Recollections of a Private Soldier", was published in 1887.Frank Wilkeson died from complications of
diabetes at a hotel inChelan, Washington , on April 22, 1913. He was buried in Gypsum, Kansas.The town of
Wilkeson, Washington , was named in his honor.References
External links
* [http://www.stumpranchonline.com/skagitjournal/Upriver/Uto-Conc/Wilkeson01-Bio.html Skagit River Journal] Retrieved on
2008-10-08
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