In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1915) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From History of Des Moines County, Iowa (1915), Portrait and biographical album of Des Moines County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county .. (1888)
RANCIS A. WALKER, one of the leading "i farmers and stock-raisers of Des Moines County, Iowa, residing on section 3, Huron Township, is a native of Hillsborough, N. H., born Feb. 1, 1831. He is a son of Alden and Susan (Grimes) Walker, the father a native of Vermont, and the mother of New Hampsiiire. In his earlier j'ears Alden Walker was a machinist, but later in life engiiged in farming, which occupation he continued until his death, which occurred in Grafton, Vt., Feb. 8, 1858, when he was sixty-four years of age. In his political views he was a Whig until the organization of the Republican party, when he joined its ranks and became one of its strong supporters. He was an earnest advocate of the abolition principles, and served as Sheriff for some years in Hillsborough County. Mrs. Walker departed this life Oct. 31, 1843, aged forty-three years. The were both members of the Congregational Church, and were the parents of three children: Francis A., the subject of this sketch, is the eldest: John G., now residing in Washington. D. C, is Chief of the Bureau of Navigation in the United States Navy, having held that position for the past six years. He has been in the United States Navy since the fall of 1850, and now hohis the rank of Commodore. He is married and has five children living. Betsy Ann, the only daughter, died, unmarried, in 18G0, at the age of twenty years.
Francis A. Walker was reared upon a farm in his native county, and, like thousands of others at that time, received but limited educational advantages. In 1852, on attaining his majority, he emigrated to Iowa and rented the farm on which he now lives of
Gov. Grimes, who was his uncle. For fifteen years he continued to rent this land and then purchased 600 acres, to which he has added by subsequent purchase until he is now the owner of 720 acres of fine land. All improvements necessary to a well-regulated farm have been made, and buildings to the cost of 15,000 have been erected. Mr. Walker has also largely engaged in stock-raising, shipping annually from one to two car loads of cattle, and keei)ing constantly about 100 head upon his farm. In 1858 Mr. Walker was united in marriage with Miss Martha Blake, a native of Vermont and a daughter of Charles Blake, also a native of that State. Mr. and Mrs. Blake came from Vermont to Iowa in 184'J, settling on a farm in Huron Township, east of Northfield, in Des Moines County. There they lived the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1872 and the mother the following j-ear. They had but two children, Mrs. Walker and a son, Worthington S., who makes his home with his sister. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Walker: Oscar H., a resident farmer of Ferry County, Ark.; John G., who is engaged in farming in Huron Township, Des Moines Co., Iowa; and Charles R., who is still residing with his parents. Mrs. Walker is a member of the Methodist lipiscopal Church. In his political views Mr. Walker is a Republican. He is one of the most successful farmers and largest land owners of Des Moines County, Iowa, and as a citizen is higiily respected by all.
U'lLLIAM O. WARE, deceased, was born in Calais, Vt., Jan. 1, 1818, and was the son W of John and Hlunice (Bancroft) Ware, who were of supposed English origin, and his mother was a relative of the great historian. George Bancroft. Our subject was reared on his father's farm, there residing until his marriage with Miss Elvira Sheplee in 1840, whose death occurred in the year 1858. After their marriage. Mr. Ware removed to a farm near the old homestead, and engaged in farming several years, when, thinking to better his condition, he traveled through Massachusetts, but not being satisfied with that country, came to
Burlington in February, 1852. He engaged in business for a couple of years with 0. C. Sheplee with a merchant's supply wagon, after which the partnership was dissolved. He was familiarlyknown throughout Iowa as " Yankee Ware." In 1866 and 1867, Mr. Ware traveled as a salesman for Mr. Kaiser, and in 1869 was employed in the same capacity by Kellogg & Co., of Chicago, with whom he remained for several years and then retired from active business.
After the death of his first wife, Mr. Ware was again united in marriage with Miss L. L. Bos worth, daughter of George and Lucinda Bosworth, of Petersham, Mass. The family were of English ancestry, and were among the first settlers of Bristol County, Mass. Mrs. Ware's girlhood was spent in Petersham, her birthplace, where she received her education and was married Aug. 28, 1)S62. Mr. Ware bought the home known as the Ilendrie home. No. 412.South Main street, and lived there for went'-seven years until he erected the residence No. 915 North Third street, where his remaining days were spent.
The life of Mr. Ware was one of activity. He was a man of good business and executive ability. A man of domestic habits, he was very much attached to his home, and took great interest in the erection of his elegant and commodious mansion on Third street, which is to-day one of the best built residences in the city of Burlington.
As printed in Portrait and biographical album of Des Moines County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county .. (1888). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
FRANCIS ALDEN WALKER.
Francis Alden Walker was at the time of his death, which occurred on the 13th of May, 1897, resident of Mediapolis, where he had been living retired for about five years. Previouslv he had been actively identified with farming interests in the county for an extended period, and as a business man and citizen occupied a high position in public regard, his being a well spent, active and useful life.
He was born in Hillsboro, New Hampshire, February 6, 1831, a son of Alden and Susan (Grimes) Walker, both of whom were natives of New England and spent their entire lives in New Hampshire. The latter was a sister of United States Senator James W. Grimes, of Burlington. In their family were three children: Francis Alden; Rear Admiral John G. Walker, of the United States Navy, who received his appointment to the naval institute through his uncle, Senator Grimes; and Betsy Ann. who died at the age of twenty years.
Francis A. Walker remained with his parents upon the old homestead farm in New Hampshire until he came to the west in 1852 when twenty-one years of age. The remainder of his life was passed in Des Moines county and he always followed the occupation of farming, owning an excellent tract of land of three hundred acres three miles northeast of Northfield in Yellow Springs township. He bent his energies to the development and improvement of the place and converted his land into productive fields, from which he annually gathered good harvests. In 1892 he left the farm and retired to Mediapolis, where his remaining days were passed in the enjoyment of a well-earned rest. He had been extensively engaged in stock-raising, making that a special feature of his business, and his farm in its neat and thrifty appearance indicated his careful supervision over his business affairs and his practical, progressive methods.
On the 25th of March, 1858, Mr. Walker was united in marriage to Miss Martha C. Blake, who was born in Franklin county, Vermont, June 28, 1833, a daughter of Charles R. and Lydia (Austin) Blake, who were natives of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, respectively. They came to Iowa in August, 1849, making the journey westward by canal, lake and river to Chicago, and thence across the state of Illinois to Iowa. They established their home in Yellow Springs township, Des Moines county, and here their remaining days were passed. The father had three brothers, Francis, Luther and George Blake, who came to this county in the '30s, all settling on farms in this locality, so that the family has been prominently identified with the pioneer development and later progress of the county. He also had a brother Calvin, who settled in Illinois. Mrs. Walker is the younger of two children. Her brother, Worthington S. Blake, made his home with Mrs. Walker most of the time until his death, which occurred in 1909. To Mr. and Mrs. Walker were born three children: Oscar H., now living in Kansas; John G., a resident of Mediapolis; and Charles R., who is located at Oakville, Iowa.
Mr. Walker was a republican in his political views but never sought nor desired office. He always concentrated his energies upon his business affairs until he retired from active life to spend his remaining days in Mediapolis in the enjoyment of well-earned rest. Here he passed away on the 13th of May, 1897, at the age of sixty-six years, and his demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret to many friends, who had learned to respect and honor him.
Mrs. Walker still makes her home in Mediapolis. She has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for more than forty years, having become identified with that denomination at Northfield, after which she transferred her membership to the Mediapolis church when they retired from the farm. She has a clear mind, her hearing is good, and she is a well-preserved lady of eighty-one years. She now occupies a nice home which she erected since becoming a widow. She built this in a central location, that she might be near the church. Everyone speaks of her in terms of kindly regard, of friendship and of love. Hers has indeed been a well-spent life, fraught with many kindly actions and good deeds, and in Mediapolis and wherever known she is held in the warmest esteem.
As printed in History of Des Moines County, Iowa (1915). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1915. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.