P. E. Walker 1852-1911

WALKER, MCCULLOUGH

Posted By: Volunteer - Karen DaPra
Date: 9/30/2001 at 15:02:00

OBITUARY

The following obituary of P. E. Walker was handed us last week by Rev. J. W. Carson, but too late for publication in that issue:

P. E. Walker was born Oct. 4, 1852, at Libertyville, Iowa, Jefferson county. He was a strong, robust child until the age of 14, when he jumped from a tree fifteen or twenty feet high and injured himself, from which he never fully recovered and was laid up at this time for some months. After he recovered sufficiently he worked on a farm until a young man, when he commenced to teach school and was a school teacher for ten or more years. Mrs. Walker, his wife, was one of his pupils and it was in the school room that ties were formed that have never been broken.

He and his brother Will studied law together, but he never took the examination. Feb. 15, 1883, he was united in marriage to Miss Olietta C. McCullough on the old home farm two miles north of Douds. They moved immediately to a farm one mile south of Leando and remained on the farm for four years and left on account of failing health and moved to Leando, after which he went to Shenandoah and took a commercial course. On his return from Shenandoah he was elected recorder of Van Buren county and served for four years, at the expiration of which time he went into the abstract and realty business, and followed that, with the exception of his stay in Burlington, the remainder of his life.

I want to speak now of the most enjoyable part of his life--his christian life. He was converted at the age, or thereabout, of 14, and united with the Methodist Episcopal church and was ever after one of the strong pillars of the church, faithful in every department of church work. He was one of God's great Bible teachers.

Four children came to gladden their home, Erwin of Keokuk, Elda who died in infancy, Floyd of Ottumwa, and Bertha yet at home.

He went to Keokuk June 26 for an operation and was operated on June 27. The operation seemed to be very successful. He recovered nicely and on Friday, July 28, went to the home of his son in Keokuk and was so happy at the thought that he was on the way to his home in Keosauqua, expecting in the next move to go home. On Sunday, Aug. 6, they sang from memory many of the old familiar songs he had learned in his youth, and the neighbors remarked what a sweet voice he had.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. C. A. Field, assisted by Rev. J. W. Carson, Rev. G. W. Barber and Rev. W. H. Slack.

He departed this life August 14, 199. Peace to his memory.

(Photocopy of this obit is located on page 40 of Obit Book A found in the Van Buren County Iowa Genealogical Society's collection at the Keosauqua Public Library in November 1999. Name and date of newspaper not given.) ORIGINAL POST 19 Nov 1999.

I am not related to this person and am posting it for those who may find him/her in their family history.