History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
Publ. 1912 - Page 812-813
 
ALBERT P. WILKINS.  Now that the summer time of life has ended and the autumn 
winds of old age have come, Albert P. WILKINS, long a prominent agriculturist 
of Walworth county, who is now living retired in his pleasant home in the town 
of Darien, can look backward over a career that has been well spent, resulting 
in good to those whom he has come into contact with and has brought material 
success to himself.
 
Mr. WILKINS was born March 10, 1841, in Darien township, this county, and he 
is thus the son of a pioneer, having come down to us from the days of the 
early development here, and in the later upbuilding of the locality he played 
no inconspicuous part.  He talks interestingly of the conditions and customs 
prevailing here in his boyhood.  He is the son of Joseph R. and Celestia 
(JOHNSON) WILKINS, the father a native of New Jersey and the mother of 
Steubenville, New York.  They grew up in the East and were married there, 
coming to Wisconsin in 1838, first settling on eighty acres in Darien 
township, when the county was wild and neighbors few and remote.  They entered 
their land from the government, and bought outright forty acres more in Darien 
township, and here they established a good home by dint of hard toil and here 
they lived for about thirty years, then sold the farm and retired from active 
life.
 
The death of the father occurred on September 12, 1907, at an advanced age, 
his wife having preceded him to the grave on March 6, 1891.  Three children 
were born to Joseph K. WILKINS and wife; Albert P., of this sketch; Carrie 
Amy, wife of Levi ALLEN, of Sharon, and Alice C., wife of E. A. HOLMES, of 
Milton, Wisconsin.
 
Albert P. WILKINS, of this sketch, grew to manhood on the home farm in Darien 
township and there he assisted with the work when a boy during crop seasons, 
attending the district schools, such as there were, in the winter time.  Later 
attending the academy at Allen's Grove, then the Racine Business College, he 
thus became well educated for a boy of those early days in a new country.  The 
completion of his business course in Racine rendered him well prepared for 
life's duties, and he began his business career by conducting a grocery store 
at Allen's Grove for several years, then took up farming in section 19, Darien 
township, where he purchased the old homestead, which he kept well improved 
and under a high state of cultivation, successfully following general farming 
and stock raising there until the fall of 1910, when, having accumulated a 
competency, he retired from the active duties of life, and moved to the town 
of Darien.
 
Mr. WILKINS  was married on December 22, 1880, to Mary A. BLAKE, a daughter of 
Patrick and Ellen (SULLIVAN) BLAKE.  Patrick BLAKE was born in Summerhill, 
Ireland.  He and his wife grew up and were married in their native country, 
and in 1844 emigrated to the United States, locating at Eagle, Waukesha 
county, Wisconsin.  Mrs. WILKINS was their only child.  They became well 
established in this country and were highly respected by all who knew them.
 
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Albert P. WILKINS, namely: Albert 
J. and Mary C., twins, were born September 16, 1882.  The former lives on the 
homestead in this township,and the latter is the wife of Hugh McCARTHY, also 
of Darien township.  George H. WILKINS was born March 16, 1895, and is now 
attending school in Darien, as is also the youngest child, Marian M., who as 
born April 4, 1900.
 
Submitted by Carol