It is said that during the Civil War John served in the Confederate Army.

A letter was drawn up by an attorney requesting help in the way of a pension from the confederacy in Richmond, Virginia. It is believed He never got a pension for his service.

He never let this get him down he was a very proud man and celebrated.

He raised watermelons for forth of July. He gave away his watermelon to the kids who came by.

In Oct 27, 1866 John and Mary were married in Lewis Co, WVA (they both show on marriage application being born in 1844).

Their children Mahala Catherine, Sarah Margaret, Susan Belle, Elmiry "Ella", Anderson "Lee", Louisa Jane, Minnie Miranda, James Jessie, Moses "Elisah", Nettie, Bryon Roy and Ida b.1884 Neb.

!OBITUARY: 1926 John Wilmoth, First White Man in Custer County, is de ad (age 91 years).

The burial of John Wilmoth near the Victoria Springs State Park on Sunday, October 24, 1926, closed the career of, what might be termed, an unusual man and probably the first known white man to set foot on Custer County soil.

Mr. Wilmoth was born in West Virginia and he served in the Confederate Army.

He came to Custer County, Nebraska in 1883 and homesteaded near Merna. His long residence in the county was not particulary eventful. He was a man who lived in a quiet way and, outside of his own community, perhaps a small percent of Custer County people know him.

He raised a family of two sons and four daughters. His wife died three years ago. He was always known as a hard working, industrious citizen and an honest man. He died at Fort Lupton, Colorado, at the home of his son, Lee Wilmoth, on Thursday of last week (October 21, 1926). Burial took place in the pioneer community cemetery in the New Helena neighborhood here, located not far from the Wilmoth homestead. Rev. Farnham of Merna was the officiating clergyman.