Born and educated in England, Wilkinson emigrated from Pendleton, City of Salford to South Australia around 1875 after his doctor ordered him to seek a warmer climate.
Health failing, he returned to Adelaide, joined the Stock Exchange, and started a real estate business, which became Wilkinson, Sando, and Wyles, Limited.
He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society while in England, and was the sole surviving member of the original council of the South Australian branch.
Up to the time of his retirement 1922, Wilkinson had held the following offices at various times:— During the war Wilkinson held the offices of president of the North Adelaide circle of the Australian Division (men's section) of the British Red Cross Society and president of the Men's Tobacco Auxiliary (South Australian division) of the Australian Comforts Fund.
Wilkinson Lane, Beulah Park was named for him (his company subdivided part of section 288 in 1914).