He attended district school, and was prepared for college by a professor at the Ypsilanti Union Seminary.

[1] Wilkinson moved to Marquette, Michigan to practice law with Henry D. Smith.

Wilkinson was appointed by Governor Cyrus G. Luce to a commission to select the location of the Upper Peninsula State Prison.

[4] That same day, Wilkinson was appointed by Governor John T. Rich to fill the vacancy.

[6] Shortly before his death, Wilkinson gave orders to close his bank, and then assigned his son and son-in-law with the task of paying back his creditors in full.