Born in Savannah, Missouri, Wilkerson received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from DePauw University in 1889.
Wilkerson was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 18, 1922, and received his commission the same day.
He assumed senior status on December 31, 1940, serving in that capacity until his death on September 30, 1948.
[1] On November 24, 1931, Wilkerson sentenced Al Capone to 11 years in prison for tax evasion.
Capone would often engage in jury tampering, and about two weeks before the scheduled start of the trial, informant Edward J. O'Hare told IRS agent Frank J. Wilson that Capone's outfit had a complete list of prospective jurors.