Preceded by John M. Scott Name Jacob Wilkin Succeeded by Frank K. Dunn Died April 4, 1907 | Alma mater McKendree College Education McKendree University Profession Attorney Political party Republican Party | |
Spouse(s) Alice E. Constable, Sarah E. Archer Children Harry O., John Scholfield, and Jessie Bell | ||
Jacob Wilson Wilkin (June 7, 1837 – April 4, 1907) was an American jurist from Ohio who served for nineteen years as a Justice and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois. Arriving in Illinois at a young age, Wilkin graduated from McKendree College then enlisted to fight in the Civil War. He was mustered out with the rank of major and decided to pursue a career in law. Studying under future Justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois John Scholfield. Wilkin was elected to the Illinois circuit courts in 1879, then advanced to the Illinois Appellate Court in 1885. In 1888, Wilkin was elected as a Republican to the Supreme Court of Illinois. He served there until his death in 1907.
Biography
Jacob Wilson Wilkin was born in Licking County, Ohio near Newark on June 7, 1837. He was the fifth of nine children born to Isaac and Sarah Wilkin. He moved with his family to Licking Township, Crawford County, Illinois in 1845, where he helped on the farm.He attended public schools and then McKendree College. After graduating in 1862, he enrolled in the Union Army, where he was enlisted as a private in the 130th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment. By the time he was mustered out in August 1865, he had been awarded the commission of major.
After the war, Wilkin studied law under John Scholfield in Marshall, Illinois. He was admitted to the bar in March 1867 and joined Scholfield's practice as a partner. Wilkin was a presidential elector for the 1872 United States presidential election. The partnership with Scholfield lasted until 1873, when Scholfield was elected to the Supreme Court of Illinois. Wilkin continued to practice in Marshall until 1879. That year, he was elected to the 4th Illinois Circuit Court. He served until 1885, when he was elevated to the 4th District, Illinois Appellate Court. Wilkin moved to Danville, Illinois that year. In 1888, he was elected to the Supreme Court of Illinois to fill the vacancy of John M. Scott, who had declined re-election. Wilkin was re-elected in 1897 and 1906, serving a total of nineteen years. He was chief justice in 1894 and 1901.
Wilkin married Alice E. Constable, the daughter of circuit court judge Charles H. Constable, in September 1865. They had three children: Harry O., John Scholfield, and Jessie Bell. Alice died in 1883 and Wilkin later married Sarah E. Archer. Wilkin was active in Freemasonry as a Knight Templar, 32nd degree Scottish Rite. He was also a member of the Knights of Pythias. He was a Methodist Episcopal; two of Wilkin's brothers were ministers of that denomination. Wilkin died on April 4, 1907 while serving his third term on the Illinois Supreme bench. He was buried in Marshall Cemetery in Marshall.