WALKER, William, a prominent merchant of Exira, Audubon county, is a grandson of one of the English soldiers, who came over with Lord Cornwallis during the revolutionary war to help subdue the colonies. Joseph Walker, the father of William, was born in England, and was also a soldier. After being discharged from the army he emigrated to Canada, where he married. In 1833 he moved to Ohio and later to Michigan, where he resided until his death. Catherine Nugent Walker, the mother of William, was born in northern Ireland; left an orphan at an early age, and brought to America by an aunt. She brought up a family of ten children, all of whom are living, and still resides on the old homestead in Michigan. At the age of 89 she is active, energetic and mentally young.

William was born March 2, 1884, in Huron county, Ohio. In 1855 he came to Iowa and located in Audubon county, where he has always remained. When he came to Iowa he bought 200 acres of Audubon county land at $1.25 per acre. This land he still owns, and has added to it 1,800 acres of fine farming land, which is highly improved and stocked. Besides this he conducts a large general store in the town of Exira.

General Fremont was the first candidate for president who received Mr. Walker's vote and he has never voted any other than a republican ticket. Audubon county is usually democratic, but in 1888 Mr. Walker was nominated by the republicans for representative, and was elected. He was re-elected in 1890, which indicates that the people of his county, regardless of politics, have a very favorable opinion of his integrity and ability. For twenty years Mr. Walker has been a Mason, and is of the Knight Templar degree. In 1858 he married Nancy J. Bowen, who was a native of Ohio, and moved to Audubon county at an early date. She lived a busy and useful life, performing faithfully the duties of wife and mother. She died very suddenly of heart disease in 1895. They had nine children, seven of whom are now living: J. E., born January 16, 1859; Laura A., born October 16, 1866; U. S., born January 26, 1868; Lula M., born March 10, 1870; Olive M., born July 26, 1872; Eva J., born March 20, 1875; Jay G., born August 31, 1877.


From Biographies and Portraits of the Progressive Men of Iowa, Leaders in Business, Politics and the Professions, Together with an Original and Authentic History of the State, by Ex-Lieutenant-Governor B. F. Gue. Des Moines: Conway & Shaw Publishers, 1899, pp. 353.