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Judge John Anderson Wilkes

Male 1862 - 1920  (58 years)


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  • Name John Anderson Wilkes  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
    Title Judge 
    Birth 13 Jun 1862  Montgomery, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
    Gender Male 
    Race White  [1
    Residence 1870  Montgomery, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    Residence 1880  District 275, Montgomery, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [5
    Residence 1900  Moultrie, Colquitt, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [6
    Residence 1910  Moultrie, Colquitt, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [7
    Residence 6 Jan 1920  Moultrie, Colquitt, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [8
    Death 23 Jul 1920  Moultrie, Colquitt, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3, 9
    • John Anderson Wilkes was born in Montgomery Co., GA 13 Jun 1861 to William L. Wilkes and Eliz. Sharpe. He married Mattie Powell 14 Jan 1891. She was the daughter of Judge Thomas William Powell of Nashville, GA.

      Both the Wilkes and Powell families had roots in Robeson Co., North Carolina. Rev. Powell was the grandson of Nathan Powell of Lee Co., GA born 1784 in Duplin Co, NC and raised by his father, Douglas Powell, on South Ashpole Swamp, Robeson Co., NC. Wm L. Wilkes was born 1811 on Gum Swamp in Robeson Co., NC.

      Judge Wilkes began his career in the courts of Nashville, Berrien Co., GA where his future father-in-law, Judge Thomas Wm Powell, was Judge, Court of Ordinary. At various times, Esq. Wilkes taught school in both Berrien and Colquitt Co.s, was tax receiver for Colquitt Co. (1898-1900), State Senator (1907-08), and served as Solicitor General for the Southern District from 1916 until his death in 1920.

      From the Daily Times Enterprise, Thomasville, GA, x 23 Jul 1920, p. 5, col. 3:
      ---------------------------------------
      THE MONTGOMERY MONITOR, Mt. Vernon Georgia, Thursday July 29, 1920

      Judge Wilkes Dies in Moultrie Montgomery county friends will be pained to learn of the death of Judge John A. Wilkes at his home in Moultrie last Friday, 23d inst., after a prolonged illness.

      The funeral service was held from the Moultrie Methodist church Saturday morning, attended by the bar of that section of the state and citizens from a number of towns in Southwest Georgia.

      Judge Wilkes was born and reared in Montgomery county, and many relatives and friends are proud of his record in public life. He began life as a poor country boy, but possessed of that inborn quality of which men are made, he reached the summit of model and successful manhood.

      He was a nephew of Mrs. J. J. Fountain of this place and a half-brother of Messrs. M. L. Adams of Kibbee and J. W. Adams and Clarence Adams of Tarrytown, beside whom he leaves other relatives in Montgomery county.

      Judge Wilkes was 59 years of age. He had served as judge of the county court of Colquitt county, in which he was elected by an overwhelming majority. He was a member of the State Senate 1909 - 10 and served with distinction. He leaves a wife and several children, besides another brother in Colquitt county.
    Burial Westview Cemetery, Moultrie, Colquitt, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [3
    Person ID I21759  tng Genealogy

    Father Jesse Jerome Wilkes,   b. Apr 1841, Montgomery, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 21 Nov 1919, Moultrie, Colquitt, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age ~ 78 years) 
    Relationship natural 
    Mother Melissa D Peterson,   b. 17 Sep 1846, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 10 Nov 1898, Montgomery, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 52 years) 
    Relationship natural 
    Marriage 16 Jun 1861  Tattnall, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [10
    Family ID F5055  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Mattie Powell,   b. 6 Oct 1878, Clinch, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1 Jul 1941, Moultrie, Colquitt, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 62 years) 
    Marriage 14 Jan 1891  Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
    +1. Jeanette Wilkes,   b. 9 Oct 1916, Moultrie, Colquitt, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 4 Jun 2012, Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, Americus, Sumter, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 95 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     2. Wallace Edison Wilkes,   b. 11 Feb 1894, Colquitt, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 26 Jun 1972, Wrightsville, Johnson, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 78 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
    +3. Homer Gladston Wilkes,   b. 8 Jun 1895, Moultrie, Colquitt, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 7 Oct 1973, Bibb, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 78 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
    +4. Mary Delma Wilkes,   b. 10 Jul 1899, Colquitt, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 12 Dec 1977, Moultrie, Colquitt, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 78 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     5. Patrick H Wilkes,   b. 16 Dec 1901, Colquitt, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 3 Sep 1965, Colquitt, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 63 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
    +6. Marvin W Wilkes,   b. 1905, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 15 Dec 1956, Colquitt, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 51 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
    +7. John Anderson Wilkes, Jr,   b. 24 Sep 1907, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 11 Feb 1978, Moultrie, Colquitt, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 70 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     8. Emory S Wilkes,   b. 14 Oct 1909, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 16 Oct 1932, Colquitt, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 23 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     9. Max Wilkes,   b. 19 Feb 1912, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 9 Oct 1969, Moultrie, Colquitt, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 57 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
    +10. Katherine Wilkes,   b. 22 Jan 1914, Moultrie, Colquitt, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 10 Dec 1990, Fernandina Beach, Nassau, Florida, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 76 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
    Family ID F5025  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 13 Jun 1862 - Montgomery, Georgia, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1870 - Montgomery, Georgia, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 14 Jan 1891 - Georgia, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1900 - Moultrie, Colquitt, Georgia, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1910 - Moultrie, Colquitt, Georgia, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 6 Jan 1920 - Moultrie, Colquitt, Georgia, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 23 Jul 1920 - Moultrie, Colquitt, Georgia, USA Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Notes 
    • Judge John Wilkes Dead

      A telegram was received in this city this afternoon at three o'clock, stating that Judge John A. Wilkes had died this morning at his home and that the funeral services would be held in Moultrie tomorrow morning at ten o'clock. Thomasville friends of Judge Wilkes will learn of this death with sincere sorrow. He was for several years Solicitor General of the Southern District and has many friends in all parts of South Georgia. He had been ill for some time with Bright's Disease.

      From the History of Colquitt County:

      John A. Wilkes, who has already been mentioned, as practicing here in 1895, was here in 1898 in the active practice as a member of the firm Hall and Wilkes. He was a very dangerous antagonist in a criminal case, being capable of devastating eloquence in crises. He knew how to pick a jury, and knew the Criminal Code of Georgia "by heart," a thing which, in itself, was frequently very inconvenient to his opponents. He commenced practice in the Southern Circuit as a member of the Nashville bar. His special delight was in spectacular coups, in some of which he would put to flight both opposing counsel and presiding judge, all to the intense delight of the populace, who would come out of the courthouse, saying to each other, "Old John A. jist knows more damned law than judge and solicitor general put together." He realized the ambition of his troubled youth, and attained the position of Solicitor General for the Southern District, which he held for four years, until his death, in both public and private life, he walked in a straight line, from his youth up.

      Berrien County Pioneer, Sparks, GA x23 Jan 1891:

      One of the most unexpected marriages of the season was that of Colonel John A. Wilkes of Adel, and Miss Mattie Powell, of Nashville, at 7 p.m. on the 14th instant. The happy event was consummated at the parsonage in Adel, by Rev. Jason Shirah.

      The betrothal of the contracting parties had been kept such a profound secret that many would not believe it when told that it was a reality.

      The groom is a promising young attorney of Adel, who has been favorably known in this section for a number of years, having come here from Montgomery County.

      The bride is the eldest daughter of Judge T.W. Powell, a highly respected Baptist preacher, who was Ordinary of Berrien County at the time of his death, and although only fourteen years of age, has developed many admirable and womanly traits of character. She was doubly an orphan, both parents being dead. The fact had much to do with the early marriage.

      We congratulate Col. Wilkes upon his auspicious entrance upon the Benedictine life, and trust that his future may be as smooth and as free from anxiety as the wooing and winning of his fair bride.

      Excerpts from the Tifton Gazette:

      x 25 Jun 1901: "Judge John A. Wilkes and Hon. W.S. Humphreys, of Moultrie, were in town on legal business yesterday."

      x 4 Sept 1908: "While on his way home from Atlanta for a brief rest from his labors, someone stole Senator John Wilkes' shoes while he slept awaiting the train. From personal observation, we are prepared to say that the man who was ambitious enough to step into Senator Wilkes' shoes has a poor understanding of the Senator's vast duties."

      x 9 Sept 1910: "Messrs. L.L. and George Wilkes and John Anderson left Monday for Moultrie in their automobile on business."

      x 26 Jun 1914: "Mrs. John Wilkes arrived from Tampa, Fla. today and is the guest of Mrs. Willie Fayne Myers." Mattie Powell Wilkes' younger brother, James Harvey Powell, later lived in Tampa, Fla. Jim Powell was recovering from a bout of appendicitis.

      x 3 Jul 1914: "Mrs. John Wilkes and Miss Irma Murrow spent Tuesday in Ty Ty, the guest of relatives." Mrs. John Wilkes is Mattie Powell Wilkes, dau. of Judge Thomas Wm Powell.

      x 10 Sept 1915: "Mr. & Mrs. J.F. Bullock and son, Rufus, and Mr. J.M. Bullock are spending a few days at New Port Springs, as the guests of Mr. & Mrs. John A. Wilkes, who are camping there."

      x 22 Dec 1915: "Box Supper Friday Evening. A very enjoyable affair was that at the home of Mr. & Mrs. John Wilkes, last Monday evening, the occasion being a 'box supper' for the benefit of Pleasant View Baptist Church, two miles north of Meigs, in Mitchell County. The young ladies of the neighborhood had prepared boxes, supposed to be filled with goodly eats and other things, so dear to the heart of the young man, such as photos, neck ties and then placed on sale at auction to the highest bidder, and it is needless to say that some of the boxes brought fancy prices, contents considered. A neat little sum was thus derived for the church benefit as well as much amusement and pleasure to those present. Mr. & Mrs. Wilkes proved equal to the occasion in entertaining the young folks who attended."

      From the Daily Times-Enterprise:

      x 18 Jul 1916: "In this issue of the Times-Enterprise appears the formal announcement of John A. Wilkes for the office of Solicitor General of the Southern Judicial Circuit. Mr. Wilkes has been in office for several years, and has made many friends throughout the circuit who read his announcement with pleasure. He has given his time and attention to the work and there can be no complaint on the score of attention to duty. He is a good fellow, a genial, interesting gentleman and one who is a splendid campaigner."

      SOURCE:
      LTC John W. Powell

  • Sources 
    1. [S464] Ancestry.com, Georgia, Deaths Index, 1914-1927, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2011;).
      Record for Jno A Wilkes
      http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=fsgeorgiadeath&h=109046&indiv=try
      http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=fsgeorgiadeath&h=109046&indiv=try

    2. [S345] Ancestry.com, Georgia Deaths, 1919-98, (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2001;), Certificate number: 19898-B.
      Record for John A. Wilkes
      http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=gadeath&h=56058&indiv=try
      http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=gadeath&h=56058&indiv=try

    3. [S541] Ancestry.com, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2012;), https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/94191989.
      Record for Judge John Anderson Wilkes
      http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=FindAGraveUS&h=50454887&indiv=try
      http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=FindAGraveUS&h=50454887&indiv=try

    4. [S352] Ancestry.com, 1870 United States Federal Census, (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2003;).
      Year: 1870; Census Place: Lumber, Montgomery, Georgia; Roll M593_166; Page: 313; Image: 628.
      http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=1870usfedcen&h=6197295&indiv=try
      [ View Federal Census Document]
      http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=1870usfedcen&h=6197295&indiv=try

    5. [S353] Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1880 United States Federal Census, (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2005;).
      Year: 1880; Census Place: District 275, Montgomery, Georgia; Roll T9_159; Family History Film: 1254159; Page: 205.1000; Enumeration District: 78; Image: 0012.
      http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=1880usfedcen&h=7998367&indiv=try
      [ View Federal Census Document]
      http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=1880usfedcen&h=7998367&indiv=try

    6. [S340] Ancestry.com, 1900 United States Federal Census, (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2004;).
      Year: 1900; Census Place: Moultrie, Colquitt, Georgia; Roll T623_189 Page: 50A; Enumeration District: 26.
      http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=1900usfedcen&h=8574915&indiv=try
      [ View Federal Census Document]
      http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=1900usfedcen&h=8574915&indiv=try

    7. [S356] Ancestry.com, 1910 United States Federal Census, (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2006;).
      Year: 1910; Census Place: Moultrie, Colquitt, Georgia; Roll T624_179; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 38; Image: 220.
      http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=1910USCenIndex&h=3280605&indiv=try
      [ View Federal Census Document]
      http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=1910USCenIndex&h=3280605&indiv=try

    8. [S347] Ancestry.com, 1920 United States Federal Census, (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2005;).
      Year: 1920; Census Place: Moultrie, Colquitt, Georgia; Roll T625_245; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 155; Image: 836.
      http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=1920usfedcen&h=7656689&indiv=try
      [ View Federal Census Document]
      http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=1920usfedcen&h=7656689&indiv=try

    9. [S366] Certificate of Death.
      [ View death certificate]

    10. [S175] Marriage Records.
      https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KXJN-BF5
      https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KXJN-BB3
      [ View marriage certificate]
      Melissa D. Peterson, "Georgia, County Marriages, 1785-1950"
      Name: Jesse J. Wilkes
      Titles and Terms:
      Event Type: Marriage
      Event Date: 16 Jun 1861
      Event Place: Tattnall, Georgia, United States
      Age:
      Birth Year (Estimated):
      Father's Name:
      Father's Titles and Terms:
      Mother's Name:
      Mother's Titles and Terms:
      Spouse's Name: Melissa D. Peterson
      Spouse's Titles and Terms:
      Spouse's Age:
      Spouse's Birth Year (Estimated):
      Spouse's Father's Name:
      Spouse's Father's Titles and Terms:
      Spouse's Mother's Name:
      Spouse's Mother's Titles and Terms:
      Reference ID:
      GS Film number: 206419
      Digital Folder Number: 4849126
      Image Number: 262

      Citing this Record

      "Georgia, County Marriages, 1785-1950," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KXJN-BF5 : accessed 25 Nov 2013), Jesse J. Wilkes and Melissa D. Peterson, 1861.