WYATT ADKINS, was born in Pulaski County, Kentucky, and died
at his home in Hopeville, Iowa, August 30, 1882, aged seventy-four years and
eleven months. Mr. Adkins passed his youth in Pulaski and Wayne counties of his
native State, receiving such education as the schools of that early day
afforded, but being a man of considerable reading he kept himself well posted
as to the affairs and workings of his country from its rise through its growth,
its struggles and development, till the time of his death.
He was a great reader of the Bible, especially of the New
Testament and Psalms, and would often repeat entire chapters without, perhaps,
ever casting his eyes toward the book. His father, Elder Owen Adkins, was quite
a prominent minister of the Baptist church, laboring both in Kentucky and
Indiana, where he died in 1853. His ancestors were of English descent, coming
to America in an early day. His grandparents were natives of Virginia, and were
the parents of a large family. After their marriage they removed to Hawkins
County, Tennessee, then a Territory, where, about the year 1790, they with two
of their children, were massacred by the Indians.
Wyatt Adkins was ever a pioneer, having lived in and aided
in the early settling and developing of Indiana, Illinois and Iowa. He came to
Clarke County in 1856, making this his home till his death. As a citizen he was
proud of Iowa as a State, and especially as regards her noble part born in the
suppression of the great Rebellion, having sent every son he had who was old
enough to bear arms to his country’s defense. He himself, although fifty-four
years old, was in two campaigns in Missouri.
He was an ardent supporter of the amendment of our
constitution, for the suppression of intemperance, remarking when he had voted,
that it was the “proudest and grandest vote of his life.” As a Christian and
worker in the church he was zealous, devoted and untiring, being a member of
the Christian church for forty-three years.
As a neighbor he was obliging, sociable and true. As a
husband and father he was kind and indulgent, though firm and rather strict in
his paternal discipline. No man had a greater desire to see his children
succeed and do well in the great battle of life. He always rejoiced in their
successes, especially in their efforts to be good and honored citizens in
society and the world. In his financial dealings with his fellow-men he was
always prompt, and at the time of his death owed no man a dollar.
His funeral services were conducted by Elder J. K. Cornell.
The entire services were deeply impressive, and were largely attended, there
being, perhaps, more aged people present than were ever known at a funeral in
Hopeville, and especially was this true of the old settlers and pioneers, men
and women with whom he had met, labored and worshiped for more than a quarter
of a century. Thus another of the grand old pioneers who came early and
“possessed the land,” and gave to Clarke County formation, prestige and honor,
has passed from her borders, and the bounds of mortal life, to the great land
of light and glory.
SOURCE: Biographical
and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago,
Illinois, 1886 p. 386-7
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