Lanceford Bramblet Wilkes was more commonly known as L. B. Wilkes. (Note: His first name is spelled “Lansford” or “Lanceford” in The Millennial Harbinger, edited by Alexander Campbell and W. K. Pendleton respectively.) Wilkes was a significant leader in the American restoration movement of the latter half of the 19th century. According to the premier historian of the restoration movement, Earl I. West, Wilkes was born in Maury County Tennessee on March 27, 1824. He died May 1, 1901.

     Like so many of the “restorationists,” Wilkes could write with a sweetness of spirit combined with a sprinkling of pepper. For example, in his second review of Munnell’s ideology, namely that the unimmersed are entitled to communion, Wilkes wrote:

     “The same fine spirit and high Christian bearing that characterized his former article are found in this. I am inclined to think, therefore, that, if no good has been done by the previous discussion, no evil is likely to ensue. But I hope much good will result to us for our work of faith and labor of love.” Then later: “Could I see my brother face to face, I should chide him a bit for some naughty things his piece contains” (1864. 38-39). 

     Wilkes greatly endeared himself to the pioneers of the restoration movement by a series of discussions with the renowned Methodist debater, Jacob Ditzler. One of these debates, conducted in Louisville, Kentucky, was published (1871). As West noted: It “shows Wilkes’ scholarship, thoroughness and greatness” (II.74).

     L. B. Wilkes also excelled as an educator. He and his friend, W. H. Hopson conducted a Female Academy at Palmyra, Missouri. He also was appointed president of Christian College in Missouri on July 4th, 1856.

     He did local preaching work in Hannibal, Missouri and in Springfield, Illinois. He likewise was effective as an evangelist in gospel meetings. A report under the caption, “News From The Churches,” in a contribution made by J. J. Errett of Clarksville, Missouri, dated August 7th, 1855, this statement was made:

     “I send you herewith an item of news in regard to the success of the gospel in this (Pike) county, during the last four weeks. At Louisiana there were 3 additions; at Clarkesville 25; at Paynerville 55. Bro. L. B. Wilkes, of Palmyra was the chief speaker....” (Errett, 599).

     Interestingly, there once was a brief exchange between Wilkes and the illustrious W. K. Pendleton, twice son-in-law of Alexander Campbell, and successor principally to the Campbell legacy at Bethany. Pendleton, who had assumed the editorship of The Millennial Harbinger in 1864, had made a statement that contained this sentiment: “Piety is more than orthodoxy, and in many places churches are more defective in right doing than in right thinking.”

     Wilkes was provoked at the statement and responded: “Let me call the attention of Bro. Pendleton to an item in the foregoing extract. He says, ‘Piety is more than orthodoxy.’—How is it more? Is it more important? Of the two infinities, it can not be said that one is greater than the other. Of two essentials it ought not to be said that one is greater than the other....” (Wilkes, 1869,  396).

     Pendleton took offense at the admonition, and wrote a significant response, protesting that Wilkes had misunderstood the nature of his remark. Whether he had or not is an open question.

     It is well-known among students of the restoration movement that Pendleton pioneered some of the innovative ideas that led to a degeneration of the movement and eventually resulted in the split that undermined a previously united effort. In an article in the November, 1866 issue of The Harbinger, Pendleton repudiated the long-standing restoration principle that biblical silence regarding a practice is prohibitive (see: West, 69). Authority is required for a practice; silence is not permissive.

     Wilkes wrote a book titled, Moral Evil, which was published in 1892 by the Christian Publishing Company of St. Louis.

     An example of Wilkes’ deep level of spirituality is found in Earl West’s Search for the Ancient Order, as Wilkes describes the prayer of Jacob Creath on a Sunday morning in 1854, as the two, after a night of showers, had a private devotional in a wooded area near Lagrange, Missouri. Here is a brief excerpt:

     “Here beneath the tall trees, the air full of the music of glad birds and redolent with the odors of thousands of flowers, all praising God, brother Creath said, ‘Let up pray.’ We fell on our knees and O such a prayer! The earth had drunk up her rain and all nature seemed to be refreshed and happy. Every leaf and flower and bird and being in nature seemed to be striving its utmost to magnify God” (1.124).

     In his mature years (likely around 1880), due to family health problems, Wilkes migrated to California and settled in Stockton, close to his brother Peter, who I believe was an attorney. These men were significant influences in the Stockton church. 

     On the evening of May 1, 1901, the Stockton newspaper, The Daily Record, had this front page notice:

     "REV. WILKES DEAD. Well Known and Highly Respected Citizen Passes Away at 1 O'Clock This Morning." The article goes on to report that after a lingering illness, L. B. Wilkes, who had resided in Stockton for more than twenty years, quietly expired. He was described as "prominent in theological circles, having been a minister of the Christian church until ill health caused his retirement, and even then he continued to take an active interest" in the affairs of the church. He was depicted as "an exceptionally well read man" who "had a way of expressing his opinions in a manner which attracted attention.... Wilkes was a man respected by all who knew him."

     The funeral service was conducted the following afternoon at the church building on the corner of Lindsey and California Streets in the heart of downtown Stockton. Many of the Stockton "clergy" attended the service out of respect for Wilkes.

     The Wilkes family plot is in Stockton, California’s old “Rural Cemetery.” The lane to the cemetery is about 150 yards due east on Harding Way from the intersection of Harding Way and California Street. The small street, called "Cemetery Lane," runs north between a larger cemetery and St. Joseph’s Hospital. Eventually, a quarter of a mile perhaps, this lane enters “Stockton Rural Cemetery.” The cemetery is segmented into areas by numbers, marked by bright yellow posts. The Wilkes plot is at the north-western corner of Section 21.

     The plot is slightly irregular in shape, approximately 14X14 feet, surrounded by a small stone wall just under 2 feet high. It contains five graves, all with the last name Wilkes: Rebecca K. (wife of L. B. - 1837-1888), Alberta (1872-1893), Cynthia H. (1801-1888), Peter S. (1827-1900), and L. B. (1824-1901). Apparently Peter purchased the plot, for his name is on a step leading up into the grave area.

Notes 
Daily Record, The. 1901. "Rev. Wilkes Dead." Stockton, CA: May 1. p. 1. 
Errett, J. J. 1855. The Millennial Harbinger. A. Campbell, ed. October.
West, Earl I. 1949. The Search for the Ancient Order. Indianapolis, IN: Religious Book Service, Volume I.
West, Earl I. 1950. The Search for the Ancient Order. Indianapolis, IN: Religious Book Service, Volume II.
Wilkes, L. B. 1864. “Alpha’s Reply to Theta.” Lard’s Quarterly. Moses Lard, ed. October. II.
Wilkes, L. B. 1869, “Piety More Than Orthodoxy.” The Millennial Harbinger. W.K. Pendleton, ed. July.