Pg 293

         J. P. WALKER, a representative farmer of Louisa County, residing on section 27, Grand View Township, was born in Scotland, in 1824, and is the eldest child of William and Barbara (Patterson) Walker, who were also natives of Scotland. His father died in his native land, and his mother and her father afterward came to this country in 1827, settling in Trumbull County, Ohio, where they remained until 1838, and then removed to Mercer County, Ill., settling upon lands which they purchased at the public land sales at Galena. Mrs. Walker was again united in marriage, but her husband died in Mercer County, Ill., in 1857. She then came to Iowa, making her home with our subject until her death, which occurred May 3, 1876.

The boyhood days of our subject were spent upon farms in Ohio and Illinois, he receiving his education in the former State. When about sixteen years of age he came to Iowa, settling in Grand View Township in 1840, the country then being almost a wilderness, and the settlements few and far between. Five years later he purchased 120 acres of raw prairie and timber land, and added to it until he owned 205 acres of good, arable land, some of which he afterward sold, his farm now being 120 acres in extent, and highly improved. He has also dealt quite largely in stock.

On the 23d of July, 1846, in Louisa County, Iowa, Mr. Walker was united in marriage with Mrs. Rachel Ann McClearray, widow of John McClearray, and a daughter of William and Sarah Ann (Truman) Dickey, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and who came to this county in 1844, where the father engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1856. His wife preceded him to her final rest, dying in 1844.

After his marriage Mr. Walker settled upon the farm where he now resides, and has now made it his home for forty-two years. Both he and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church, and to them have been born five children, four of whom are living—William, Daniel W., Ann and Emma. William is married, and resides in Louisa County, being the manager of the Poor Farm; Daniel resides in Floyd County, Iowa; Elmira died Dec. 24, 1858, at the age of seven years. Mr. Walker has always taken an active interest in political affairs, casts his vote with the Republican party, and has held the office of Township Trustee for thirty-one or thirty-two years. He was one of the original stockholders in the Seminary at Grand View, and was very active in its upbuilding. The school soon gained a good reputation, and drew many pupils from the surrounding country, while many of the graduates are now filling important positions. The school was under the control of the United Presbyterian Church, of which organization Mr. Walker is a member, and has served as Trustee and as one of the Board of Directors.

Pg 294

On the 10th of September, 1880, after a lingering illness of two months, Mrs. Walker was called to her final home. Mr. Walker was again married, at Grand View, Dec. 29, 1881, Mrs. E. R. Jones, widow of Dr. Jones, of Wapello, becoming his wife. She is a daughter of John and Martha (Killough) Ronald, the former being a native of Vermont, and the latter of South Carolina. In 1836 they came to Iowa, settling in Louisa County, Mrs. Walker being the first girl born in this county, and her cousin, Carvalho Gilvy Gilbert Killough, who was killed in the late Rebellion, is thought to have been the first male child born in this county. One child graces her former union, May, who is still living with her mother. Mr. Walker is pleasantly situated near the village of Grand View, his farm adjoining the town plat, and being centrally located between Letts, Columbus Junction, Wapello and Muscatine.