Jacob W. Wilks was born a slave in Clarke County, Kentucky around 1840. His slave master was John P. Wilks. Jacob Wilks escaped slavery along with his parents and a sibling via the “Underground Railroad.” Jacob was raised in the free state of Ohio by a Mrs. Waddell after his parents died.
Jacob Wilks was one of the first to enlist at Camp Nelson, Kentucky on the 16th of September 1863 in Company “C” 116th Regiment United States Army Colored Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Union General Ulysses S. Grant. Jacob was discharged in October 1866 after serving 3 years 1 month. He re-enlisted the same day at Greenville, Louisiana in Company “F” 9th U S Calvary, The Buffalo Soldiers. Sergeant Wilks served until 1871 and re-enlisted for a second term.
Jacob Wilks was stationed at Fort McKavett, Texas from 1869 to 1874. Sergeant Wilks and his comrades chased hostile Indians all over western Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. While stationed at Fort Sill in Indian Territory, Sergeant Wilks contacted chrome disease from exposure in the line of duty. Sergeant Wilks was honorably discharged 2 October 1876 from Fort Seldon, New Mexico.
Jacob Wilks was married on 20 October 1884 at Fort McKavett, Menard County, Texas to Elizabeth Moore. They had six children: Maggie, Mary, Ophelia and Ovelia, Bernice and Mamie Sue. The family moved to San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas in 1899.
Jacob died in 1922 in San Angelo, Texas. He is buried in the family plot in the Black Cemetery inside Fairmont Cemetery.