William H. Walker

WILLIAM H. WALKER.

One of the best remembered and highly honored citizens of the western and northern part of Nodaway county was the late William H. Walker, one of the most successful agriculturists of his day and generation whose methods and modes of living it would be well for the youth to emulate if they would reap the rewards of industry and wholesome living.

Mr. Walker was born in Londonderry, Ohio, in 1844, the son of Jesse and Eliza (Huddle) Walker, a fine old Buckeye family. He was educated in the district schools of his community and assisted with the general work about the place. He proved his patriotism when but seventeen years of age by enlisting in the Twenty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being one of the gallant members of Company B, which saw some very strenuous service.

After the close of hostilities Mr. Walker returned to Ohio and in 1865 came to Nodaway county, Missouri, when much of this section was un developed. His parents accompanied him and they purchased land where Mrs. William H. Walker now resides; here the parents spent the rest of their lives, becoming well situated.

William H. Walker was married on December 24, 1868, to Mary A. Manes, who was born in Brownsburg, Indiana. She was the daughter of Elihu and Margaret (Foster) Manes, who, in 1865, came to Nodaway county, Missouri, and located near Clearmont, the father having died in Iowa a short time previous.

After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Walker they began farming two and one-fourth miles south of Clearmont and there developed a good farm, living on it until 1880, when they bought the present Walker homestead and here Mr. Walker’s death occurred on November 2, 1907. He put excellent improvements on this place and it ranked among the best in the township. He was very successful as a general farmer and was a business man of more than ordinary ability. He accumulated eleven hundred acres, six hundred of which were located north of Burlington Junction, the remainder south of the town where the Walker home is located. He carried on general farming on an extensive scale and also fed cattle and hogs in large numbers. He was very successful in whatever he undertook, seldom miscalculating, and he had the confidence of everyone, for his life was exemplary and all his business done on legitimate and fair basis.

To Mr. and Mrs. William H. Walker the following children were born: Charles E., a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work; Anna L., Everett E. (Mrs. Margaret McDowell), Pearl, Edward M., William H., Jesse H., Alma is deceased, as is also Pancie.

Mr. Walker was a Republican and a prominent Mason, belonging to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Shriners, chapter, commandery and other degrees of this fraternity. He was a member of the Christian church, of which Mrs. Walker is also a member. He was a man whom to know was to respect and admire, courteous to all, obliging, generous, hospital ble in his home and a man who will long be remembered for his upright life and his splendid business achievements.

As printed in Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.