William H. Wilkins

Other Events:

• Birth: Kenwyn, , Cornwall, England
• Business: Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; N. & E. J. Wilkins tailors
• Interesting: business, story
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-121425
• Historic Building: 1851, 37 Beverley Street East, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1851, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Tailor
• Residence: 1851, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Occupation: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manfit Tailor
• Residence: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Occupation: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Merchant Tailor
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; P. Methodist

Notes:

Death of Mr. William Wilkins

By the death of this gentleman on Monday night last, Galt loses one of its oldest, residents. Mr. Wilkins was born in Kenwyn Parish, Cornwall, England, in 1816, and in May, 1847, he came with his family to Galt. He was a Merchant Tailor by trade, shrewd, and industrious, and with the assistance of his sons as they became old enough to join him in his trade, he soon succeeded in building up a large and profitable business, which he carried on until 1865, when he was succeeded by his two sons, the well-known clothing firm of N. & E. J. Wilkins. Branching out from his business, first his son, the late William Wilkins, started for himself, and was shortly after joined by his brother, the late Stephen Wilkins, and for many years the family may be said to have practically controlled the clothing trade of town and this section. After retiring in 1865, the subject of this obituary purchased the handsome property in the Township now owned by Mr. Thos. Alison, where he spent some years, and it was while residing here that the germs of the disease of his foot and leg first showed themselves. After suffering for some years, amputation was decided on as the only means of saving his life even temporarily. The operation was successfully performed in Toronto, and since he has enjoyed something of health or at least freedom from pain, up to his last fatal illness. Mr. Wilkins has resided for the past few years on Oak street, in Galt.

Mr. Wilkins was a very prominent member of the Methodist Church, and for many years after that body established itself in Galt was a leader in the congregation. He had little taste for public life, and refused invariably all invitations to accept any of our municipal offices. He was married in 1837, in Gwenap Church, Cornwall, by the now bishop F. Philpotts, to Miss Kinsman, sister of Messrs. Nicholas and Richard Kinsman, of Galt. Their family consisted of ten children, three of whom died in infancy, two, if we mistake not, within a day or two of one another, while the family resided on Ainslie street. Then in the later days came the deaths of Mr. Wm. Wilkins, jr., in Toronto, followed about two weeks afterwards by the death of Mr. Stephen Wilkins, thus leaving of the original family, his widow and Messrs. N. & E. J. Wilkins, Clothiers; Mr. Richard Wilkins, now in a Wholesale House in Toronto; Mr. Mark Wilkins, farmer, near Branchton; and Miss Wilkins, residing with her parents.

Mr. Wilkins' funeral took place yesterday (Thursday) afternoon. As a mark of respect to our old townsmen and his family, the various places of business were closed while the cortege passed on its way to the cemetery.

Galt Reporter Nov 30 1888 pg 1


Historic Building:
2 story cut granite stone, constructed for William H. Wilkins

William married Jane Grenfell Kinsman 8 Apr 1837, Gwennap, , Cornwall, England. Jane (daughter of Nicholas Grenfell Kinsman and Mary Elizabeth Coombe) was born 24 Nov 1816, Saint Austell, , Cornwall, England; died 5 Jul 1908, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Mary Jane Wilkins was born , of, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 18 Dec 1848; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
2. William Henry Wilkins was born 27 Jun 1837, , Cornwall, England; died 3 May 1879, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Trinity Anglican Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
3. Stephen Wilkins was born CALC 20 Jan 1840, , England; died 17 May 1879, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Trinity Anglican Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
4. Nicholas Wilkins was born 23 Feb 1842, , England; died 13 Dec 1918, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
5. John Wilkins was born 1843, , England; died Yes, date unknown.
6. Edward John "John" Wilkins was born 8 Aug 1844, , England; died 2 Oct 1923, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
7. Jane Wilkins was born 30 Dec 1846, , England; died 14 Jun 1945, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
8. Philippa Wilkins was born 30 Dec 1849, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 11 Aug 1850, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
9. Richard Wilkins was born 1850, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
10. Philip Wilkins was born 12 Jun 1854, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 16 Jun 1860, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
11. Minnie Wilkins was born 24 Jun 1857, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 18 Jun 1860, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
12. Mark Wilkins was born 7 Oct 1859, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 29 Sep 1940; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-85615

William — Mary. Mary was born Abt 1790, of, Gwennap, , Cornwall, England; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Mary Wilkins
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-85618