Died, near Santa Fe, Monroe County,
Mo., May 16th, 1868, Presley Wilkerson, aged 69 years, 7 months and 29
days. Deceased was an early settler in Mo. In 1826 he moved from Clark
County, Ky., to Boone County, Mo. In 1828 he united with the Baptist Church
at Rocky Fork, and was baptized by Elder Peyton Stevens. In 18—— he removed
to the Eastern part of Monroe County, then a wilderness, now a densely
populated county. His house in those early days was the favorite resort
of the traveler and the drover. His table was always bountifully supplied
by his thrifty companion with the luscious fruits of his early orchard
and his fields, venison and honey also abounded in those days. Here also
the heralds of the cross were wont to appear from month to month to proclaim
the riches of God’s grace, and many were the trophies of the all—prevailing
power of God in calling sinners to repentance, through the aupicious ministry
of Brethern Woods, Hurley and others. Elder A.C. Goodrich wag a happy convert
at one of those meetings, and he can testify to the goodness of God in
saving sinners But the rude hands of diesase were laid heavily upon the
subject of this brief memoir, torturing him with indescribable pain through
many years, and depriving him of the pleasure of co-operating in the active
work of the church; but his mind was remarkably clear and his faith unshaken.
He was not afraid to die, therefore his kindred and friends who mourn his
loss, feel assured that his body awaits the glad summons to new life, and
his spirit now in Paradise, will reunite with it and live forever.
Oh, who would live always, away from his God; Away from yon heaven,
that blissful abode, Where rivers or pleasure flow o’er the bright plains,
And the noontide of glory eternally reigns.