WALKER, PETER J.

WALKER, CLAYTON, LANE, THOMPSON, HUNTINGTON, MCBRIDE, ROBINSON, JONES, PAUSH, WRIGHT, BLAYLOCK, ROUPE, HENDERSON

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 7/9/2003 at 19:08:16

Biography reproduced from page 505 of the History of Kossuth and Humboldt Counties, Iowa published in 1884:

Peter J. Walker, son of James and Dorothy A. Walker, was born in Askrigg, Wensleydale, Yorkshire, England, Nov. 23, 1832. He was left an orphan at an early age, his mother dying when he was one and a half years old, and his father died when he was nine years old. After the death of his father he was sent to London to live with a brother. From that time until he emigrated to the United States, in 1849, he had a wide and varied experience. In 1849 he located in New Diggings, Wis., and engaged to clerk of G. W. Adams. In June, 1852, he went to Chicago, Ill. Remaining in that place for a short time, he returned to Wisconsin. In 1853 he removed to Big Patch, Wis., and engaged in business. In 1855 he commenced farming, which he followed until 1869. He removed from Grant Co., Wis., in 1869, to Kossuth Co., Iowa, locating in Lott’s Creek township, where he purchased 320 acres of land. He now owns 480 acres of good land, with good comfortable buildings, nice groves, orchards, etc. He deals extensively in live stock. He was married in 1855 to Jane Clayton, of Wisconsin. By this union there were two children—Mary A. and Saidonia. Mrs. Walker died in March, 1861. He was again married, in July, 1863, to Sarah A. Huntington, daughter of William Robinson, of Platteville, Wis. The result of this union was nine children—Ella I., Robert M. and James E., born in Wisconsin; Emma R., Sarah J., William F., Albert S., Archie B. and Leslie R., born in Lott’s Creek township. Mr. Walker has held several township offices of trust. In religion he is free and outspoken. In politics he favors the republican party, but abhors corruption, and is a man who is not afraid to stand up and speak out his convictions. Mr. Walker is one of the best farmers and stock raisers in northern Iowa, and can truly be said to have made life a success. There are few men, left orphans at an early age, and compelled to work up step by step, that can show as clear a record or as successful a business career as Mr. Walker.
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Biography reproduced from page 127 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Peter J. Walker was at the time of his death one of the most prominent farmers in Kossuth county and his career was intimately connected with the opening up and development of this region. He was born in England, November 23, 1832, and came to the United States in 1849, locating in Wisconsin, where he remained for twenty years. In 1869 he came to Algona, where he bought a tract of land nine miles northwest of the town in Lotts Creek township. The land was practically a wilderness and Mr. Walker acquired his holdings at five dollars per acre. In order to build his home he was obliged to haul lumber from Fort Dodge and out of this he built a substantial frame house in which he lived for many years. He built his barns of native lumber and during the course of his occupancy made many improvements in his sheds and outbuildings. He lived upon his farm until 1900, when he came to Algona and bought a beautiful residence in which his widow now lives. All during his period of residence in Kossuth county Mr. Walker followed the occupation of general farming and was known throughout the district as an expert agriculturist. He brought his land from a state of extreme wilderness into a highly cultivated and productive condition and upon his death, January 13, 1910, was the owner of one of the model farms of the district. During his life he was active in local politics and held many township offices. He was a member of the Good Templars and was a devout adherent of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Walker was twice married. His first wife was Jane Clayton, who died five or six years after their union, leaving two children: Mrs. Mary Lane, of Hillsboro, Oregon; and Mrs. Sidona Thompson, of Coleman, Michigan. In 1863 Mr. Walker was again married, his second union being with Miss Sarah A. Huntington, who is at the present time one of the most prominent women in Algona. She aided her husband in the work of improving his wild farm lands and by her energies and efforts did much to promote his success. She is a daughter of William and Mary (McBride) Robinson. Her father was born in England and came to the United States about 1835, locating in Grant county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in general agriculture until the time of his death in 1886, when he was seventy-five years of age. Her mother was born in New York state and married in Wisconsin, where she died in 1867. Mr. and Mrs. William Robinson were the parents of eleven children, five of whom are deceased, the others being: Sarah A., the wife of our subject; W. J., now living in Wisconsin; Richard Henry, who makes his home in Richland Center, Wisconsin; Lena, now Mrs. J. N. Jones, of Atchison, Kansas; Mrs. Emma Paush, of the same city; and Margaret, who married W. A. Wright and is living in Seattle, Washington. After his wife’s death in 1867 William Robinson was again married, his second union being with Nancy Jane Blaylock, and they became the parents of four children: Benjamin, who is now deceased; Nora, of Platteville, Wisconsin; Ida, now a Mrs. Henderson, living in Colorado; and Lillian, who also makes her home in Platteville.

Mrs. Walker was educated in the common schools of Wisconsin and remained at home with her parents until her first marriage in 1858 to William Huntington. Her husband followed the occupation of farming in Wisconsin and died one year and a half after their marriage. They were the parents of one child, Edward M., who is now an extensive land owner in Norfolk, Nebraska. Mrs. Huntington was united in marriage to Peter J. Walker, the subject of our sketch, and they became the parents of nine children: Ella, who is living at home; Robert, now deceased; James E., a resident of Lotts Creek township, Kossuth county; Emma, who married Charlie Roupe and is living four miles northeast of Whittemore, Iowa; Sarah J., who lives with her brothers on the farm; William Francis, now residing on the home farm; Albert S., engaged in general agriculture in Kossuth county; Archibald, who is cultivating the farm adjoining his brother Albert; and Lester R., now living on the old homestead with his brother Francis. Some years before his death Mr. Walker left his farm and removed with his wife into the town of Algona, where he died. Mrs. Walker is still living in that city, where she has many friends.