JAMES WALKER

WALKER

Posted By: Jake Tornholm (email)
Date: 4/22/2020 at 14:04:10

JAMES WALKER, of Brooks, Adams county, is a well-known pioneer. He first came here in 1857, and located permanently in 1859. He was born in Adams county, Ohio, January 3, 1821, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Whitley) Walker. His father, a native of Rockbridge county, Virginia, was a son of James Walker, a native also of that State and a soldier of the Revolution, drawing a pension of $96 a year during the remainder of his life. Mrs. Elizabeth Walker also was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, of an old Virginia family. The Walkers and Whitleys moved from Virginia to Highland county, Ohio, in 1812. Joseph Walker had five sons and four daughters, and died at the age of eighty-three years, and his wife also died at about the same age. The father was a farmer all his life, in politics a Whig and Republican, and in religion a member of the United Presbyterian Church.

Mr. James Walker, whose name introduces this sketch, was reared a farmer's boy. In 1859 he emigrated West, coming down the Ohio river and up the Mississippi to St. Louis and Keokuk, thence by railroad to Mt. Pleasant, and thence by stage and private team to Brooks, where he engaged in mercantile business, the pioneer merchant at that point, - at least the first of any prominence. He started in business in a small way, of course, but his diligence and honesty enabled him to increase his stock and trade until 1875, when he sold out and engaged in farming. He has 240 acres adjoining the town plat of Brooks, well improved. He built a dwelling on the place in 1879 a story and a half high, now occupied by his son James L., who works the farm. In 1891 he built a cottage of modern style and southern pattern, twenty-eight feet square, with nine-foot posts. Altogether he owns 480 acres of land.

In his views of state policy he is a radical prohibition Republican. He was postmaster for fifteen years. Both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Brooks. They are zealous for the best interests of the community.

They were married in this county February 19, 1861. Her name before marriage was Rachel Vining, and she was a daughter of Robert Vining. Her mother, whose maiden name was Mary Waters, was also a native of Greene county, New York, and spent her life in New York. Mrs. Walker was one of the pioneer teachers in Harrison county, Iowa, and also in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have two children: James L., on the home farm, married, and has one son; and Amelia, wife of Charles White, has two sons and one daughter. Mr. and Mrs. James Walker lost their second child, Lusina M., by death, at the age of nine months and fourteen days.