O.W.F. Wilcox came to Kansas in 1879, and farmed rented land south of Concordia. Three years later he bought the Chris Mosburg homestead, six miles south of Jamestown on Whites creek, where he lived two years, sold and located in Jamestown, following the occupation of clerk. In 1896, he bought the H.H. Harris stock of stationery, added other lines and converted it into a racket store, including canned goods, tobacco, candies, fruits and summer drinks.
Mr. Wilcox is a native of Branch county, Michigan, born in 1840. When fourteen years of age he moved with his parents to Hardin county, Iowa, and when he arrived to manhood enlisted in Company B, Eleventh Iowa Infantry, the first year of the war. He served two enlistments, remaining until the close. He was slightly wounded twice, was in St. Louis hospital two months as the result of a wound he received in the battle of Shiloh. He saw active service and was in the battle of Corinth, Vicksburg, Atlanta, with Sherman on his march to the sea, and in all the battles with the western department.
After the war he returned to Iowa and was married in 1866, to Lavina Burghdef. In his earlier life Mr. Wilcox had learned the shoe maker's trade which he followed until coming to Kansas. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox have been born eleven children, all of whom but one are living, and all but one living in or near Jamestown.
The oldest son is William, who is foreman in the shops of the American Windmill Manufacturing Company, and has been in their employ about three years. Otto F., is proprietor of one of the neatest little barber shops in the county. The shop is small in dimensions, but elegant in point of fixture and equipment. He is married to Ethel Andrews, of Jamestown. They are the parents of one child, Lucile.
Rosa, wife of William Jenkins, a carpenter of Jamestown. They are the parents of five children: Carl, Ray, Nellie, George and Willie. The second daughter, Nellie, is a milliner by trade. Centennial, is the wife of Bert Schell, a farmer near Jamestown. They are the parents of two little daughters, Esther and Lila.
Kate, wife of John Oyler, a carpenter of Jamestown. They have one child, a little son, Max. Roy, in the shop with his brother Otto. Fred, a boy of sixteen and the two younger children, Mary and Charlie.
Mr. Wilcox votes the Republican ticket and takes an active interest in the local affairs of his town. He served as mayor one term, police judge several times, and for several years was a member of the council. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and has been post commander at various times. He is a member of the Sons and Daughters of Justice. The maternal ancestors of Mr. Wilcox were early New England settlers. His mother was a close relative of Lorenzo and Neal Dow. His paternal ancestors were of Irish and Dutch origin, and among the early New England settlers. Mr. Wilcox owns a comfortable residence and the building he occupies as a store.
Transcribed from E.F. Hollibaugh's Biographical history of Cloud County, Kansas biographies of representative citizens. Illustrated with portraits of prominent people, cuts of homes, stock, etc. [n.p., 1903] 919p. illus., ports. 28 cm.
