James Walker

FOUNTAIN, CANOTT

Posted By: Linda Linn (email)
Date: 8/11/2008 at 19:35:48

Lone Tree Reporter
JAMES WALKER CALLED
Oldest Resident of Fremont Township
and Pioneer of Johnson County
Passes Away
James Walker, one of the oldest pioneers of Johnson county and the oldest resident of Fremont township passed away Monday morning at his home southwest of Lone Tree. Mr. Walker has been very low for the past two or three weeks and his death was not unexpected.
Mr. Walker was born in Ohio in 1816 and came to Johnson county May 1, 1837. He was 88 years of age at the time of his death. Mr. Walker was one of the first three white settlers in Johnson county, and it was largely due to such men as he that the commonwealth of Iowa is what it is today.
His grandfather, Samuel Walker, was an active soldier in the Revolution and his father, James Walker, Sr. enlisted in the War of 1812. James Sr., and two elder brothers had also fought in the Revolution. He came to Johnson county in 1837, accompanied by all his children who had not preceded him. He located in Pleasant Valley and died in 1847. James Walker Jr., was one of nine children, the others being Robert, Nancy, Samuel, Eliza, Joseph of Pleasant Valley, Laura, Fanny and Henry.
Mr. Walker was married on May 2, 1858 to Miss Mary Fountain. To them were born eight children: Henry, Jane E. (afterwards Mrs. Jerry Canott), John, Joseph, Ella, James, Daniel and Charles.
The funeral was held from the River Junction church at 2 o'clock P.M. Tuesday, conducted by Rev. Chas. N. Pace and the remains were laid away in the [Walker] family cemetery north of River Junction.