Friends pay tribute to Minister's memory

WALKER, BROWN, PETIT, COATS, RENO, FOOTE, POLLY, HILEMAN, HARLAN, GRAY, WALL, COLVARD, BENNETT, JOHNSON, WILSON, MYERS, LANNING, DEY, HATCHETT, DUNSHEE, SMITH, WEBB, SHIRK, GILLY, SEVERAL MORE

Posted By: Joey Stark - Jefferson Co. Volunteer
Date: 2/25/2006 at 20:38:15

"Batavia News", Feb. 3, 1916

FRIENDS PAY TRIBUTE TO MINISTER'S MEMORY

Batavia funeral of Rev. C. L. WALKER, who died Saturday, largely attended

Co-workers, church brothers, neighbors and friends filled to overflowing the Christian church at Batavia Monday afternoon to signify by their presence at the funeral services over the remains of Rev. C. L. WALKER, who died Saturday at the Jefferson County Hospital, the love and esteem in which they held the deceased.

Grouped behind the pulpit were ministers of the Christian church from surrounding communities, fellow-workers in Christianity and intimate friends of the dead man; at its base reposed the flower-shrouded bier; in the pulpit Rev. J. A. BROWN, a dear friend and associate of Mr. WALKER's, in a voice broken with sobs, sought to express to the great congregation some of the love he felt for the man lying dead before him. Tears in the eyes and voices of all who spoke bore testimony of the tribute of affection given to the deceased. (Picture of Rev. C. L. WALKER)

"He left all and followed Him" were the singularly fitting scriptural words Rev. BROWN selected from which to eulogize the life of Rev. WALKER. Mr. BROWN spoke to the congregation as to neighbors, recalling to their memories the manner in which Lee WALKER had forsaken every worldly pursuit when he became converted and devoted his life to Christian work. His words, and those of other speakers, were called forth by years of intimacy with Mr. WALKER and all were a tribute to his Christian character.

Scripture reading by Rev. PETIT, of Albin, prayer by Rev. S.K. COATS, of Washington, and short talks by Rev. COATS and Rev. Milo RENO, of Agency, were given. Singing was furnished by Dr. and Mrs. FOOTE, of Richland.

All of the near relatives, except a sister in Kansas City, who was unable to come, were present at the funeral services. Ministers present were S. K. COATS, of Washington; J. A. BROWN, Batavia; B. W. PETIT, Albin; R. H. POLLY, Fairfield; others present who are closely associated with ministerial work were F. H. HILEMAN, Batavia, Isaaih HARLAN, Stockport. A number of people from Fairfield and surrounding towns were in attendance.

Charles Leander WALKER was born October 22, 1854, at Concord, Muskingum County, Ohio, and was 61 years, three months and seven days old at the time of his death. He came to Ashland, Wapello County, Iowa, with his parents when one year old.

When eleven years of age his parents removed to a farm two and one-half miles east of Batavia and here Mr. WALKER remained until he was married to Susan M. GRAY, who survives him, at Batavia, February 3, 1875. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. C. WALKER, have been dead for many years. He was the oldest of five children, two of whom, George W. WALKER, of Batavia, and Mrs. Madge W. WALL, of Kansas City, are still living.

Ten children were born to Rev. and Mrs. WALKER, of which number the following are living: Ross G., of Fairfield; Mrs. Anna M. COLVARD, of Cedar Rapids; Rulie, Mayme, and Guy, of Fairfield. Those deceased are: Charles Bertron, George G., Mrs. Minnie L. BENNETT, Bessie O., and Alfred.

Rev. WALKER was baptized by Rev. J. A. BROWN and became a member of the Christian church March 1, 1889, at Batavia. He began preaching in June of the same year and was ordained into the ministry the following year at Batavia. During his career as a minister he baptized 553 people but this does not include all of his converts; he married 108 couples and preached 251 funerals.

He was a devoted student of the Bible and during the first six years of his Christian life he read the New Testament through 72 times; in his entire lifetime he read it through 158 times.

Rev. WALKER held the following Iowa pastorates during his twenty-seven years as a minister: Agency, Mt. Gilead (twice), Bladensburg, Bethel, Lancaster (twice), Union Chapel, Floris (three times), Brighton, New London, Abingdon (twice), Big Mound, Hillsboro (three times), Eldon, Mt. Auburn, Finchford, Drakeville, Union Mills, Keota, Batavia, Eddyville, Wilsonville, Richland (twice) and Kirksville, Mo.

Rev. WALKER was one of the most methodical of men and kept an accurate record of every detail of his work as a minister. He studied for the ministry, over a period of ten years, with Ashley S. JOHNSON, of the Kimberlin Heights school, of Tennessee. In addition to his love for Bible study he was also a great reader of books and had a large and valuable collection of volumes at his home.

Rev. WALKER's death followed two years or more of increasing ill health which reached a critical stage in the last six weeks. A few weeks ago he was removed to the Jefferson County Hospital and everything done for him that could be done to prolong life. He suffered intense pain during a great part of the time but bore it uncomplainingly. But friends and relatives had been anticipating his death for several days and the news of it comes as no surprise.

Among those attending the services from a distance were the following:

Rev. and Mrs. WILSON, Richland
Mr. and Mrs. L. L. FOOTE, Richland
Mrs. George MYERS, Ottumwa
Mrs. Clara LANNING, Ottumwa
Professor DAY, Mt. Pleasant
Attorney G. G. HATCHETT, Eddyville
Frank DUNSHEE, Keota
M. N. SMITH, Packwood
Oran WEBB, Packwood
Mr. and Mrs. SHIRK, Fairfield
G. J. GILLY, Fairfield
Mrs. Anna COLLINS, Fairfield
Mrs. Mary ROBERTS, Rock Island, Ill.
Mr. and Mrs. CHURCH, Rock Island
Attorney E. R. SMITH, Fairfield
H. N. BRANDALL, Fairfield
Lon BARR, Fairfield
Ash MULLENIX, Fairfield
John MULLENIX, Fairfield
A. C. WISECARVER, Fairfield
Mrs. H. KYLE, Brighton
C. E. BENNETT, Brighton
E. FULTON, Brighton
Mrs. Nellie ALFORD and daughter, Bernhart

[Also posted to the Black Hawk, Jefferson, Henry, Keokuk, Louisa, Mahaska, Van Buren, Wapello, and Washington Counties' Documents boards]

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s).