| Other People | Frank J. Bradley | Olive Rambo Cook | Jerry Litton | | |||
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Past and Present of Livingston County Volume 2. Biographies by Major A. J. Roof. 1913 |
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Pages 188-189
As the owner of a valuable farm of one hundred and forty-five acres on section 25, Jackson township, Livingston county, William H. Wilburn is representative of the progress agriculture has made in this section. A native of this county, he was born in Springhill, Missouri, March 14, 1855, a son of Charles Harvy and Tabitha J. (Crim) Wilburn, the former a card roll manufacturer and agriculturist who came to this county in 1844 from West Virginia. Success along his lines of industry came to him and he was prominent in the communities in which he lived and where he became popular on account of his many substantial qualities of heart and mind. Politically he was a stanch democrat, believing in the principles that party represents. He died on July 4, 1897, at the age of sixty-six years, his wife having also since passed away.
William H. Wilburn acquired his education in the public schools of Springhill, Missouri, continuing his lessons until he reached age of twenty years although he assisted his father to a large extent during that time. After his marriage he rented land upon which he farmed for twenty years and then bought the property he now owns. This land he holds in partnership with his wife and engages in mixed farming, following progressive methods and also specializing in stock-raising, deriving a gratifying income from the latter branch of his activities. Since he possessed himself of this land he has erected thereon a handsome residence and all other buildings to shelter his grain and stock, having installed such improvements as are deemed indispensable to modern agriculture.
On October 18, 1876, Mr. Wilburn was married, near Springhill, Missouri, to Miss Mary Mast, a daughter of J. George and Rosinna (Grouse) Mast, the father being one of the pioneers of this section having come here in 1865. He became one of the well known and prominent men of the locality, passing away September 6, 1909, at the age of eighty-two years. His wife only survived him for a few months, dying on December 31, 1909, at the age of eighty years. They were laid side by side to their final rest in Mount Pleasant cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Wilburn are the parents of six children, as follows: Annie E., the wife of Lawrence Jones, an agriculturist; Rosinna E., who married Frank Dowell, a prominent farmer of Jackson township; James H., who assists his father in the cultivation of the farm; Charles C., also engaged in farm work at home; W. Frank, a former student of Jackson University at Chillicothe, Missouri; and Theovelma, at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilburn are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, to the work of which they give their earnest support, the former serving in the capacity of trustee. His political affiliations connect him with the democratic party to which since voting age he has given his unqualified support. A man of progressive tendencies, he has not only achieved success for himself but has been a constructive factor in the development and advancement of Jackson township, Livingston county.