The Willkie family was from Ellwood, Indiana.  Edward, alumnus of the Manchester College Academy, was a brother to Professor Julia E. Willkie and politician, Wendell Willkie.

Wendell Willkie ran for President of the U.S. in 1940 against Franklin. D. Roosevelt.  Even though Willkie received 22.3 million votes, more than any previous Republican candidate, he was outpolled by Roosevelt with 27.3 million. Following the election Willkie became an ally of Roosevelt and a fervent internationalist.  He supported controversial Roosevelt initiatives such "Lend-Lease," and spoke out against isolationism.  He worked with Eleanor Roosevelt to found "Freedom House."  Willkie was also an anti-racism activist. Following his death, Eleanor Roosevelt, in her "My Day"column, 12 October 1944, eulogized Willkie as a "man of courage... (whose) outspoken opinions on race relations were among his great contributions to the thinking of the world...  *

*Quote and  information on Wendell Willkie received from Wikipedia, Wendell Willkie.