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PATRICK E. WILHELM
Vol. 3, p. 998-999

The career of Patrick E. WILHELM is a splendid example of what may
be accomplished by young manhood that is consecrated to ambition and
high purposes. He is a lawyer by profession and a self-made one at
that. At the present time he is judge of Coal County and he is
recognized throughout this community for his high order of ability
and his conscientious dealings with his clients. His start in getting
his education was particularly difficult and under similar
circumstances many young men would have become discouraged and left
the field, but the obstacles, instead of discouraging Judge Wilhelm,
spurred him onward, giving him a momentum and force which have
resulted since the period of his first struggles in steady progress
and success and have brought him the esteem of both the judiciary and
associate attorneys.

Judge Wilhelm was born in Tom Green County, Texas, in the year 1877,
and he is a son of George and Ida (MURRAY) Wilhelm, the former of
whom was born and reared to young manhood in Ohio. George Wilhelm,
son of a German immigrant, was for twenty years captain of a whaling
vessel on the Atlantic ocean. He was one of the vigorous '49ers who
rushed to California during the gold excitement and subsequently he
became a pioneer settler in the great state of Texas. Concerning his
children, the following brief data are here inserted: Truman is
associated with the Shelby-Downard Asphalt Company, at Ardmore,
Oklahoma; Mrs. Thomas NORMAN, is the wife of a prominent lawyer at
Ardmore; Ruth married a Mr. WEST, a retired real-estate dealer at
Houston, Texas; Mrs. Frank LANTZ, is the wife of a farmer in the
vicinity of Walters, Oklahoma; Mrs. Clarence JOHNSON is the wife of a
hardware merchant at Houston, Texas, Naoma is the wife of a Mr.
DOWNARD, an asphalt dealer at Ardmore; "Rockie" is a sheep ranchman
at El Paso, Texas; Misses Phoebe and Barbara are both teachers in the
public schools at Coalgate; and Patrick E. is the subject of this
discourse.

As an interesting character who served his apprenticeship in life as
a cow-puncher on the plains of Texas and who, by dint of
determination, hard work and courage, overcame the obstacles of
pioneer days in the Southwest and accomplished much worth while, the
career of Judge Patrick E. Wilhelm is one of vivid fascination for
the student of human nature. His case is truly exceptional inasmuch
as his actual attendance in school amounted to less than six months.
As a 'hand' on various large ranches in Western Texas he decided on a
more profitable career and during his leisure moments began to study
spelling and arithmetic on his own account. He read extensively
during a period of seven years and at the age of twenty-two years had
obtained a legal education that gained him admission to the Texas
state bar. For a time he lived in Indian Territory and served as an
assistant in the law office of Colonel BARRY, formerly a member of
Congress from Mississippi. Judge Wilhelm initiated his legal practice
at Ardmore, Oklahoma, in 1899, and shortly thereafter became a law
partner of the late Justice Stilwell H. RUSSELL, of the Oklahoma
Supreme Court. In 1901 he removed to Roff, Oklahoma, and there
resided until 1903, which year represents his advent in Coalgate,
where he controlled a large and lucrative law practice until 1912,
when he was elected county judge. In his first race for this office
he led the democratic ticket, receiving more votes than were cast for
candidates for state, district and county offices. He was re-elected
to this judgeship, without opposition in 1914. While in office he has
been a consistent advocate of some of the important policies put in
force by Cato SELLS, commissioner of Indian affairs under President
WILSON, the same relating to guardianships and estates of Indians
among the Five Civilized Tribes. In keeping with this advocacy his
office records have been open and his assistance given to Federal
probate attorneys appointed by Commissioner Sells.

In addition to his legal work Judge Wilhelm is greatly interested in
literary work and has in contemplation a number of articles that may
comprise one or more books. He was founder of the Oklahoma Law
Journal, which he edited at Coalgate for several years and which is
now owned by Mr. JERSEY, of Michigan. The Judge is a communicant of
the Protestant Episcopal Church and, fraternally, is affiliated with
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is likewise a member of
the Coal County and the Oklahoma State Bar Associations. In every
respect his life has been exemplary and he is one of the most valued
residents of this section of the state, where he is esteemed by all
who know him.

Judge Wilhelm married Miss Dora SNEALL, at Roff, in 1903.

Typed for OKGenWeb by: Dorothy Marie Tenaza, December 12, 1998.