JOEL M. WALKER

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Joel M. Walker and Mrs. Joel M. Walker

After many years of busy activity, characterized by well directed effort and intelligently applied labor, Joel M. Walker is now living retired in the enjoyment of a handsome competency which ranks him foremost among the men of affluence in West Liberty, Iowa. Born in Belmont county, Ohio, May 27, 1850, he is a son of Lewis M. and Elizabeth (Oxley) Walker, natives of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and Belmont county, Ohio, respectively. The family home was established in Cedar county, Iowa, in 1854, and in Iowa township, that county, both parents passed away, the father in 1896, when seventy-four years of age, and the mother on the 24th of December, 1909, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. In their family were two children: Joel M., of this review, and P. L., of Columbus, Ohio.

The elder son was but four years of age when brought by his parents to Iowa, the journey being made by way of the Ohio river to the Mississippi and up the latter stream to Muscatine, from which place they traveled overland to Iowa township, Cedar county. There on the home farm Joel M. Walker was reared to manhood, and during the period of his boyhood and youth assisted in the cultivation of the fields, becoming familiar with the various phases of farm life. Because there were no schools near enough for him to attend, his educational training was necessarily very meager, and he was twelve years of age before the opportunity presented itself for him to study, his course even then being limited to two summers and a part of a winter. Broad reading and observation, however, extended his general knowledge, and in the school of experience he learned many valuable lessons concerning life and its responsibilities. Upon attaining man’s estate he wisely chose the occupation to which he had been reared as his life work and began his independent career as the owner of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 28, Iowa township, which served as the nucleus of his later extensive holdings. A keen business man, he also possessed a laudable ambition to succeed and a spirit of energy, enterprise and determination which not only stimulated his efforts in early manhood but have proved salient qualities throughout his entire life. As the years passed and he prospered he added to his original purchase until he possessed three hundred acres on section 28, all in one body, and also became the owner of several smaller tracts, one of sixty acres, another of eleven acres and twenty acres of timber land, his aggregate possessions amounting to four hundred and fifty-one acres of rich Iowa land. Naturally fertile, it responded readily to the care and attention bestowed upon it and annually yielded rich harvests. Under his wise management the home farm became one of the most highly cultivated and valuable properties in the locality, equipped with a five thousand dollar residence and other modern and up-to-date improvements to the value of ten thousand dollars, including private waterworks and everything that goes to make up a model farm of the twentieth century. Mr. Walker is one of the stockholders of the Citizens Bank of West Liberty.

In 1875 Mr. Walker was united in marriage to Miss Maria P. Gifford, who was born in Morgan county, Ohio, March 7, 1852. In the year 1854 she was brought to Iowa by her parents, Burton and Rebecca Gifford, both of whom passed away in Iowa township, Cedar county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Walker were born six children, namely: Clare, the wife of William Branson, of Springdale; Loretta, who married Charles McCann, of Iowa township, Cedar county; Vera and Glen, twins, who married Robert and Alma Pinney, respectively, who were also brother and sister and resided in Iowa township; Zella, the wife of Fred Ridenour, of Iowa township; and Wilma, yet at home. All of the children have had good educational advantages, being graduates of the Springdale high school with the exception of Vera, who was compelled to give up her course on account of ill health. All are well established in life and have good homes, and all reside within the borders of Iowa township, Cedar county, so that a three-hours’ ride in an automobile will permit Mr. Walker to visit any one of them.

Although reared by Quaker parents, Mr. Walker is now identified with the Presbyterian church, in which he and his wife hold membership and in the work of which they are actively and helpfully interested. A republican in politics, the honors and emoluments of office, however, have never held any attraction for him, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his private interests. Winning notable success in his agricultural enterprise, his history indicates clearly the value and power of close application, of earnest endeavor and of honorable purpose, and as a result of these qualities he today ranks among the substantial and wealthy residents of this community.