John Alexander Wilkinson was Chairman of Chinchilla Shire Council from 1916 to 1917 and was a leading pioneer of the Kogan district.
John Wilkinson was born in New Zealand, and at the age of thirteen his family emigrated to Mildura in Victoria. He gained extensive knowledge in the fruit growing industry from his father, and in 1908 visited Queensland with a view to acquiring further holdings.
John Wilkinson selected 5000 acres at Kogan alongside the Kogan Creek, and after selling his interests in Victoria, moved permanently to his new property 'Kainama'. He was particularly successful in developing the 'wilderness' country of Southern Queensland, and making his land productive, devoting much of his attention to clearing prickly pear and raising cattle and sheep.
John Wilkinson erected a substantial set of cattle yards, and a fine home with a well laid out garden and productive orchard. He successfully sold fruit and vegetables as far away as Toowoomba.
John Wilkinson and his family left the Kogan district in 1923.
