The subject of this sketch is a prominent physician and surgeon who has within the past few years identified himself with the interests of Bonita, Montague county, Texas. He is a son of Harrison and Harriette (Jackson) Wilkins, both natives of Georgia, where they were married in 1855. They lived for some years on a farm in Georgia, moved thence to Alabama, and in 1872 came to Texas, locating in Grayson county, where they bought a farm and where they made their home for over twenty years. Both of the doctor’s grandmothers spent their last days and died in Texas. Little is known of his family history back of them. Selling his farm in Grayson county, Harrison Wilkins moved to Clay county, bought and sold property there and came thence to Bowie, Montague county, where he purchased a farm. At this writing, however, he and his wife are living with their children. They are worthy members of the Missionary Baptist church and are highly respected by all who know them. Their children are: Lafayette and William, stock-farmers in Texas; Thomas O., a physician and surgeon, Paduca, Texas; Henry A., the subject of this review; Sally, wife of C. Clark; Mattie, deceased wife of W. Molden; Joseph, a physician of Wellington, Texas.
Dr. Henry A. Wilkins was born in Polk county, Georgia, January 5, 1865, was reared on a farm and received his early education in the public schools. Later he attended Grayson College at Whitewright, Texas, and after leaving college he was employed as assistant at the County Farm, a position he filled for four years. At the age of twenty-five he began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. T. O. Wilkins, with whom he remained for some time and where he gained much practical experience as the doctor’s assistant. In 1899 and 1900 he took a course in the Medical Department of Fort Worth University. After receiving his degree he entered upon the practice of his profession at Joy, Clay county, Texas, where he remained two years and was successful. Thinking to better his condition, however, he moved to Petersburg, Indian Territory, and during the three years of his residence at that place he built up a good practice; but the climate was not conductive to health nor was the society what he wanted, and in November, 1904, he came to Bonita, bought a home and established himself here. His office is equipped with modern appliances, and he was not long in gaining recognition as a man abreast with the times in his profession, and he has won the confidence and respect of all who know him.
Dr. Wilkins married, in 1898, Miss Ida White, who was born in Grayson county, Texas, November 18, 1870, daughter of Alonzo and Mattie (Eubanks) White, the former a native of Illinois, the latter of Texas. Mrs. Wilkins’ grandfather, Ambrose White, was born in Ohio in 1811, pioneered to Illinois and located near Springfield, and in his young manhood shouldered a gun and went to the Black Hawk war, in which he fought bravely until the close of hostilities, returning with the rank of captain. It was in that war he met the young lady, Miss A. E. Murdock, who became his wife in 1833. During one hard day’s fight she was by his side molding bullets, while he shot Indians. From Illinois Captain White came to Texas. He staked off the town of Whitesboro, built the first house in it, and gave the town its name. He lived to see it prosper and was honored by being elected its mayor, an office which he filled for many years, up to the time of his death, which occurred December 17, 1885. He was the father of seven children: Jayson, Elizabeth, Alonzo, Loot, Cassie, Lena and June. Alonzo White when a boy came with his parents to Texas, where he grew up on a farm and later learned the blacksmith’s trade, at which he worked in his younger days. Later he ran a hotel at Whitesboro. After his father’s death he served several terms as mayor of the town. He still resides there and is as highly respected as he is well known. During the war of the Rebellion he was on the frontier in the Confederate service. He married Miss Mattie Eubanks, daughter of Alford Eubanks, a prominent farmer and stockman. In the Eubanks family were eight children: Mary, Mariah, Nancy, John, Hines, Julia, Mattie, and Caroline. The children of Alonzo and Mattie White are: Jennie, wife of George Boston; Ida, wife of Dr. Wilkins; William, deceased; and Callie, at home. Dr. and Mrs. Wilkins have one child, Louis A., born January 25, 1905. Mrs. Wilkins was reared in the Cumberland Presbyterian church and both she and the Doctor are identified with that church. Dr. Wilkins is a member of the fraternal order Woodmen of the World.
Source: B. B. Paddock, History and Biographical Record of North and West Texas, Vol. II (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906), pp. 275-276.