L. James Wilkes, P. O., Cambridge. Son of Samuel M. and Margaret R. Wilkes; was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, January 16, 1842, and in the next year came with his parents to Holt county, Missouri and in 1845 moved to Platte county, and from Platte came to Saline and settled, in 1852, where he grew up on the farm, and attended school in the winter months. In the fall of 1861 he joined the body of recruits going south, under Col. Robinson, and was captured with them on Blackwater, December 19, 1861, taken to St. Louis, and then to Alton, Illinois, until July 1862, when he took the oath, was released and came home and commenced farming, which he continued until November, 1863; he then enlisted as private in company E., First Missouri cavalry, Col. Gordon, under Gen. Shelby, and was in the battles of Hickory Station, Ditch Bayou, Mark’s Mills, Prairie Dean, Little Missouri and Big Blue, where he was badly wounded in right side and taken prisoner, and taken November, 1864, to Gratiot street prison, St. Louis, and then to Alton, Illinois. He again took the oath, returned home, and again went to farming. On the 4th of August, 1868, he married Miss Laura E. Letham, and has had eight children, four now living: Annie Lee, Thomas M., David C. and John H. Wilkes.
