The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., February 14, 1919, page 1
"Laurel News Notes"

     Mr. J.M. Wilkens who has been ill for some time died Feb. 6th, and was buried in the Mt. Adams cemetery the 7th. Mr. Wilkens was an old pioneer and a member of the New Laurel Grange. He leaves a wife, one brother and three sisters to mourn their loss. The sympathy of the community is extended the bereaved family.

The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., February 14, 1919, page 5

OLD SETTLER IN KLICKITAT COUNTY DIES ON HIS FARM

     J. Mathies Wilken, an old time resident of western Klickitat county died at the home near Laurel Friday.
     Jacob Matthews Wilkens was born in Gammendorf auf Ferman, Germany December 2, 1844 and died at Laurel, Washington, February 6th, 1919. He came to the United States in March 1872, settling in Husum in December 1876. He was married to Christina Frohm June 28th, 1883. One daughter was born to this union on February 19, 1887, who died at the age of 12 years. In 1902 he moved to Camas Prairie where he resided on his fine Laurel ranch -- until his death. He was a member of the Lutheran church.

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., February 13, 1919, page 1

WEST END PIONEER DIES

     Mathies Wilken, a pioneer settler of Western Klickitat, who died at his farm near Laurel in the Camas Prairie section Friday, was a native of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. He was born on the island of Faman in 1845 and emigrated to the U.S. when a young man, coming to this county in 1877 with a large colony of Germans who located in the virgin forests on the White Salmon river near the town of Husum, and assisted in building the first wagon bridge over the White Salmon. His farm on the White Salmon was a stopping place for travelers for many years. He is survived by his wife, three brothers and a sister, namely, Jacob of Spokane; Joachim, Iowa; Ferdinand and Mrs. John Schmidt of Bingen, Wash.

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©  Jeffrey L. Elmer