JAMES A. WALKER
A
scion of old pioneer families both on the paternal and
maternal side, James A. Walker is a native of Jackson
township, Lucas county, and has always resided here, devoting
his attention to the cultivation of three hundred acres of
valuable land located on sections 21, 22, 27 and 28, Jackson
township. He was
born on May 12, 1861, a son of James L. and Mary (Stevenson)
Walker, the father a native of Scotland and the mother of
Ohio. Coming as
pioneers to Jackson township, the parents made settlement here
in the spring of 1859 and here passed the remainder of their
lives. Taking up
land, the father broke the soil and gradually put it under
cultivation, transforming wild prairie into fertile acres. Both parents were
highly respected and esteemed by their friends and neighbors
and enjoyed the confidence and good-will of all who knew them. The father died in
Jackson township in 1880, at an age of about sixty years, the
mother, who was born August 31, 1824, surviving him until
nearly eighty-eight years.
In their family were four children, of whom two are
living, namely: Mrs.
Margaret Jane McCauley, a resident of Jackson township; and
James A., of this review.
The two younger children died in infancy.
James A. Walker was reared under the parental roof and early grounded by his parents in the old-fashioned virtues of honesty and industry. Growing up amid pioneer conditions, he enjoyed the primitive educational advantages of the period, attending the common schools in the neighborhood of his father’s farm, and early became acquainted with the various branches of agricultural work. As soon as he was old enough he began to assist his father in the work of redeeming the land and putting it to agricultural use. More and more the responsibility of managing the homestead fell to his lot and upon the father’s death he took active charge. As the years have passed the property has grown in value, its productivity increasing by the reason of the thorough, systematic and progressive methods employed by Mr. Walker. He now owns one of the choicest farms of his locality, comprising three hundred acres of sections 21, 22, 27 and 28 of Jackson township, improved with a handsome residence and substantial barns, outbuildings and granaries, the general appearance of the property indicating the prosperity of its owner. Mr. Walker gives considerable attention to stock-raising, specializing in full blooded Percheron horses, Duroe Jersey hogs and shorthorn cattle. He enjoys an enviable reputation along this line and obtains for his stock the best market prices.
On
March 27, 1889, James A. Walker was united in marriage to Miss
Elma Ellen Pim, who was born in Jackson township, Lucas
county, Iowa, February 1, 1865, and died in her native
township on July 28, 1893.
Her parents were Samuel W. and Mary Jane (Jumper) Pim,
the former a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania, born on
Mary 11, 1822, who died in Jackson township, February 16,
1882, and the latter also a native of Pennsylvania, born
December 16, 1826, and still residing at Chariton, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Pim
became the parents of nine children: William Henry, of Jackson township; Mrs.
John Schnebly, of Jackson township; Mrs. Esther Jane
Carpenter, who resides at Herman, Nebraska; Salora Salina, who
died at the age of eight years; Preston Penrose, of Oklahoma;
Mrs. Rachel Rebecca Reed, residing in Canada; Candace
Clementine, deceased; Elma Ellen, who became the wife of our
subject; and Mrs. Ola Amelia Morgan, who makes her home with
her aged mother in Chariton, Iowa.
Mr.
and Mrs. Walker had one daughter, who first saw the light of
day on the same farm in Jackson township on which her father
was born, Mrs. Nellie Blanche Mauk, the date of her birth
being February 9, 1890.
She acquired her education in the public schools of the
neighborhood and grew to womanhood on the home farm, where she
still resides with her husband, Todd Otto Mauk, who assists
our subject in the operation of land. Miss Nellie Blanche
Walker married Todd Otto Mauk on March 5, 1911, the latter
having always been a resident of Lucas county, being born in
White Breast township on June 10, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Mauk
have one daughter, Florence Elma, who was born on the same
farm on December 15, 1911.
She is of the third generation in the same family to be
born on this property, and this is one of the rare instances
in the history of Lucas county of three generations of one
family being born on the same farm.
Mr. Walker gives his allegiance to the republican party and although not an office seeker, keeps well informed upon all public issues and is never found lagging on election day, readily recognizing the obligations of American citizenship. Both he and his daughter are members of the Presbyterian church of Lucas. He gives his warm support to all worthy public enterprises and can always be found in the front ranks of those who are willing to bear their share in any measures undertaken to promote public advancement. Liberal-minded and of studious nature, Mr. Walker is well read and a representative of the progressive type of agriculturist, although his progressive spirit is finely tempered by a conservative judgment. He and his family are among the most highly respected people of his locality, receiving the high regard and confidence of all who knew them.