Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2026 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== USGenNet Data Repository Notice: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ============================================================================= Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. ============================================================================= Commemorative and Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio pub. J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago - 1897 [p. 454-455] CAPTAIN DAVID WILKISON, of Perrysburg, was born at or near Buffalo, in February 1800, and at an early age went on Lake Erie as a sailor. In 1815, at the age of 15, he sailed up the Maumee River on the schooner "Blacksnake," commanded by his uncle, JACOB WILKISON. This was a small craft to venture on the lake, being but 25 ton burden. At that time nothing but wild forest was to be seen where Perrysburg now stands. The Blacksnake brought up as passengers the family of MULHOLLEN, who later kept the noted tavern "Vienna;" also a MR. HUNTER and family, SCOTT ROBB, and a MR. HOPKINS who settled on land above the present village of Perrysburg. At that time Fort Meigs contained about 40 soldiers who were taken to Detroit by the schooner on her return trip. In 1817,the Blacksnake was in command of CAPTAIN DAVID WILKISON, and made several trips to the Maumee, bringing new settlers, goods, etc., and bringing back fish. In 1818, CAPTAIN DANIEL HUBBELL bought a controlling interest in the schooner, Pilot, and CAPTAIN WILKINSON was placed in command, running between Buffalo and the Maumee Rapids. By that time, the Valley of the Maumee had begun to produce a surplus of corn, and the Pilot was well loaded on return trips with corn and fish. Captain Wilkison continued upon the lakes, running in connection with the Maumee trade until 1828, at which time he removed his family to Perrysburg. Up to this time he had been in command, successively, of the schooners Blacksnake, Pilot, Mary Jane, President, Superior, Favorite, Guerriere, and Eagle, the latter being a schooner of sixty tons, built at Fort Lawrence, now Toledo, in 1828 at a cost of three thousand dollars. The Eagle continued under the command of CAPTAIN WILKISON until 1835, doing a profitable business, as was the case with all Lake vessels at that period. Captain Wilkison left the Eagle to take command of the new steamer, Commodore Perry, continuing in charge of her until 1845, when he took command of the steamer Superior, running between in Perrysburg and Buffalo. He continued to run the steamer until the close of navigation in 1852, when he retired after having spent 37 years upon the lakes, and in all of which time he never lost a vessel or steamer, nor did he ever meet with any serious accident. His remarkable success as a navigator was owing to his superior judgment, his coolness under most trying circumstances, and his perfect knowledge of the lake. After retiring from the lakes, CAPTAIN WILKINSON devoted himself to the cultivation of his farm adjoining Perrysburg, until he lost his sight. Subsequently, his sight was partially restored, and some years prior to 1873, he was placed in charge of the lighthouse just below Manhattan, the duties of which he discharged until about the year 1872, when he returned to Perrysburg very much broken in health. In the prime of his life he possessed qualities of mind and heart which commanded the respect and secured the friendship of all who knew him, and no man sailed on the lakes who was better known. The captain was an ardent Whig up to the time of the disruption of that party, and he then became a Republican. At the time of the great celebration at Fort Meigs in 1840, the Captain brought GENERAL HARRISON to the Fort in his steamer Commodore Perry, and entertained a large number of visitors who came to take part there. Although somewhat bluff and a little austere in manner, CAPTAIN WILKINSON had the kindest of hearts, and no one ever appealed to him in vain for sympathy or aid in misfortune. His death occurred September 8, 1873. The widow of CAPTAIN WILKINSON, CAROLINE M.(formerly FORBES), sur- vived him, dying in 1877. He left five children, all but one of whom are still living. WILLIAM D. WILKISON, the eldest son, was an invalid for many years prior to his death. JOHN E. WILKISON was a partner of CHARLES FOSTER and the general manager the bank of Foster and Company, of Fostoria, until the disastrous failure of MR. FOSTER carried the bank down with him. The failure was not in any manner owing to any mismanagement of the bank affairs, as the books show that the bank was prosperous, and had been making money up to the date of the fail- ure of MR. FOSTER. MR. WILKISON is now engaged in the insurance busi- ness at Cleveland. CAPTAIN WILKISON'S eldest daughter is the wife of ISAAC P. THOMPSON, and now resides in Perrysburg. MR. THOMPSON was a part owner, and his partner, C. C. ROBY, was the master of the steamer Griffith, which was lost on Lake Erie in 1850, accompanied by a loss of life that spread mourning over the land. Sarah, the second daughter, is the wife of judge HENRY H. DODGE, and now resides at Bowling Green, Ohio. CAROLINE, the youngest daughter, is the wife of EARL W. MERRY, the well-known banker of Bowling Green. ===============================================================================