admin MISS MARIA LOUISE WILKESON, sister of Col. Wilkeson, was a lifelong resident of Buffalo, where her death took place on the 24th of March, 1903, in the 66th year of her age. Miss Wilkeson was one of the representative women of Buffalo, being noted for her wealth, culture, benevolence and social distinction. For many years she occupied a brilliant and distinctive position in the social world of Buffalo. Miss Wilkeson was keenly interested in the fine arts, of which she was a liberal patron. Her collection of paintings, bric-a-brac and other articles of vertu was a notable one. The patriotic spirit so conspicuous in her family was also a marked characteristic of Miss Wilkeson. She was an honorary member of Bidwell-Wilkeson Post, G. A. R., which, after her death, paid her memory an honor said to be unprecedented in the history of the G. A. R., the Post attending her funeral in a body. In her will. Miss Wilkeson left generous endowments to the Children’s Hospital and the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy.
SOURCE: Memorial and Family History of Erie County New York; Volume I