Wheat - Milton Kennedy
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal, August 19 1909
Milton Kennedy Wheat died Saturday evening at 6:45 o'clock at
his home, 708 E. Market St, from the effects of chronic
nephritis. The funeral services were held this afternoon from
his late home and were in charge of the Rev. JF Rake, pastor of
the Baptist Church. Mrs OR Coutant, Mrs. Lucy Cullom Springer,
Mrs. OH Jones, William White and Walter Dorsey sang. The body
was laid to rest in Oak Hill Cemetery Milton K. Wheat was b.
near Paris, Bourbon Co Ky, Oct 29, 1841. He was a son of
Washington Wheat, who was for many years a resident and prominent
farmer of Bourbon Co and who afterwards moved to Missouri, and
died there in 1877. Milton K. Wheat in his younger days was
surrounded by many who sympathized with the south and while not a
Whig, followed the teachings of Henry Clay and was decidedly
opposed to a division of the union and the extension of slavery.
Consequently when the war between the sections broke out, he
volunteered on the side of the union and enlisted in the 10th Ky
Cavalry and served with honor till honorably discharged. On Nov
4, 1864, he marr. Mary Nannie Talbot dau of Courtney Talbot, who
then lived on the old Talbot farm So. of this city now owned by
ex-sheriff Charles N. McCullough. He and his bride returned to
Bourbon Co. where he was engaged in farming and stock raising
until 1877, when he removed to this city. In 1878 he moved
again, this time to Pleasant Hill, Mo. His wife died in the
latter place Aug 14, 1883, and a remarkable coincidence occurs in
the fact that she died on a date exactly corresponding month,
day, and hour with that upon which her husband died last
Saturday. Mr. Wheat with his family returned to this city in
1892, where he lived till his death. He left the following
children: Misses Cora, Bessie and Sarah of this city; Mrs. Walter
Rigdon of Danville, Ill; Mrs. Ben S. Kennedy, of Geneva, NY; Miss
Hettie of Indianapolis and Charles c. of Lincoln Neb 3 having
died in infancy. Mr. Wheat was a profound lover of his home and
lived to see all his children self-supporting and prosperous. On
account of rheumatism he was compelled to cease active labor 20
years ago, but continued active in mind till his death. He was a
student of all living questions and read many books and
periodicals and was never so happy as when discussing current
topics with others from whom he thougth he might gain more
information. In politics he was reared a Democrat, but was very
liberal in his views and followed the teachings of many leaders
of other parties. On all moral questions he was sound to the
core and if his party took up with some notion not based on what
he thought was right, he always said he had a right to "shift for
himself" and thought all self-respecting men should do the same.
Along with his other studies he found much time to read and
discuss the scriptures. He always enjoyed a good sermon and
after hearing one, followed it up in his study for weeks after
and seemed to get as much from it as the minister who delivered
it. His love for birds was particularly noticeable. Each day he
found time to study their habits, feed them and build and put up
houses for them. A day or two before his death he asked to be
taken out under a shade tree in his yard, where he could watch
them enjoy the preparations he had made for them and his last
request was that they be cared for and protected. Mr. Wheat was
a member of the Missionary baptist Church. - transcribed by kbz