Harley T. Wilkin
It matters much less where a man may be born and how he comes into this life, or rather the conditions surrounding his entrance on to the stage of action, than the environment thrown around him in his boyhood days. Undonbtedly heredity and environment establish a man's position in the world and the individual who is well born and whose surroundings make for his best dexelopment is the man who makes a success of life. Harley T. Wilkin, of Washington C. H., has been peculiarly blessed in both respects, having come from old and highly esteemed ancestors and having been reared under excellent home influences.
Harley F. Wilkin, of the firm of H. T. Wilkin & Company, clothing and dealers in gents' furnishing goods, was born in Highland county, Ohio August 15, 1887. His parents, Charles A. and Susanna (Nesbit) Wilkin were natives of the same county and are still living in Hillsboro, that county They were the parents of four children: Blangie Z., of Hillsboro; Harley T., of Washington C. H.; Roger L., of Hillsboro, and Henry M., also of Hillsboro. Charles A. Wilkin was reared as a farmer's lad in Highland county this state, and became a general merchant at Newmarket, Ohio, where he was engaged in business fojr thirty years. At the present time he is engaged in the lumber business at Hillsboro, with the C. F. Whistler Lumber Company. He is also interested in agricultural pursuits, owning a fine farm in Highland county. He is a member of the Baptist church, while his wife adheres to the Presb}terian faith.
The parents of Charles A. Wilkins were Isaac and Matilda (Edwards) Wilkins. natives of Virginia and Ireland, respectively, and early settlers in Highland county, Ohio. Isaac Wilkins was a farmer and he and his wife reared a family of five children in that county, Hamilton E., Charles A., Effie, Thomas and .Arthur. The parents of the wife of Charles A. Wilkin were William and Lucinda (Eakins) Nesbitt, natives of Highland county, this state. W illiam Nesbitt died in that county at an advanced age, while his wife still survives him. residing in the county where she was born. William Nesbitt and wife had two children. Henry and Susanna, the wife of Charles A. Wilkin.
Harley T. Wilkin was reared in Newmarket, Ohio, and attended the public .schools there until fifteen years of age, after which he took the course in the high school at Hillsboro, Ohio. He then began clerking in a clothing store in Hillsboro, and continued working there until he was twenty- four years old. While clerking he made it a point to become acquainted with every detail of the clothing business and when he came to work in Washington C. H., in August, 1911, and established his present business, he was already in close touch with the management of this particular line of business. He is a wide-awake and progressive young man and is rapidly building up a large trade in the city and surrounding community. He has a neat and attractive store with modern equipment and displays his goods in such a way as to attract his customers. He carries a large and well assorted stock of everything worn by men and boys, and by his courteous treatment and affable manner he is rapidly forging to the front as one of the successful business men of his adopted city.
Mr. Wilkin was married on Christmas day, 1909 , to Lucy Scott Bean,the daughter of William N. and Mary (Scott) Bean, and to this union has been born one son, Daniel Scott William Wilkin. Mrs. Wilkin was born in Hillsboro. where her parents are now living, and is one of two children, the other being Lois, who is still with her parents. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Wilkin were the parents of three children, William, John and Mollie. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Wilkin were Daniel and (Pulse) Scott, who also had three children, Mary, Sarah and Charles.
Mr. Wilkin is identified with the Democratic party, but has been too much engrossed with his business affairs to take an active part in political matters. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)