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Descendants of George Pegram
Seventh Generation
(Continued)

2475. Willard Wood Wilkinson (Robert Wilkinson , Mary Rives , Thomas Henry Rives , Mary Pegram , Daniel , George ) was born¹ on 25 Jul 1839 in Lake Co., Indiana. He died on 22 Feb 1923 in Oakdale, Antelope Co., Nebraska.

The following comments are by the previously referenced unknown author who was a descendant.

" It is not known exactly how long Willard remained in Lake County, Indiana. I suspect that he left Indiana along with David and Peter in the late 1850's and moved to Vinton, Iowa. On 10 June 1860, Willard married Sarah Jane Cottrell in Vinton. Sarah had moved to Iowa with her parents William Cottrell and Ann Parcels in 1855.

Their first child, Robert W was born in 1861. A daughter, Lenora, was born in 1862 but died soon after. In 1862, Willard, along with three of Sarah's brothers enlisted in Company D, 28th Iowa Infantry, to fight in the Civil War. Two of Sarah's brothers died of illness during the war. In 1864, President Lincoln ordered General Banks, the Union Commander, to undertake a campaign up the Red River in Louisiana to capture Shreveport. The Confederates had 30,000 combat troops in the area under the command of General Richard Taylor. The 28th Iowa was part of the Union force. General Grant considered this campaign to be a waste of time so he ordered Banks to get it over quickly. Banks started late and conducted his campaign poorly. On April 8, rebel forces routed Banks at Sabine Crossroads. It was during this battle that Willard received the first of his wounds.

By the fall of 1864, the 28th Iowa was now in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. On 19 October 1864, near Cedar Creek, a major battle of the war occurred. The action began when a Confederate force of abou 18, 000 men under General Jubal A. Early made a surprise attack on Union forces commanded by General Phillip H. Sheridan. Early's forces struck at dawn under the cover of fog and darkness, overrunning the Union positions. Sheridan, who had been absent from the front on official business, rejoined his army. Late in the afternoon he ordered a general counterattack which broke through the Confederate lines. Early's army retreated in panic. Union casualties were 644 killed and 3430 wounded and 1591 missing. Confederate losses were about 320 killed, 1540 wounded and 1050 missing. Willard was severely wounded in the right hip and was later discharged on 5 January 1865.

When Willard returned home to his family, his son Robert wondered who the strange man was with his mother. Willard and Sarah Jane farmed near Vinton until about 1871. On 23 May 1871, Willard took advantage of the Homestead Act and travelled to the St Clair Valley, Antelope County, Nebraska where he claimed 160 acres of prime land. Sarah Jane and family joined him in September 1871. The remainder of the children were born on the homestead. They remained on the farm until 1897 when they moved to a small farm just east of Oakdale, Nebraska. Due to ill health, Willard quit farming and they moved to house in town. Willard's pride was his work horses. For a few years he operated a dray service in town. Willard died at home on 22 February 1923. Sarah had died on 11 April 1916. Both are buried in the Oakdale Cemetery."

Willard married Sarah Jane Cottrell daughter of William M. Cottrell and Mary Ann Parcels on 10 Jun 1860 in Vinton, Iowa. Sarah was born on 11 Dec 1840 in Madison Co., Indiana. She died on 11 Apr 1916 in Oakdale, Antelope Co., Nebraska.