History of Fulton County, Illinois; together with
Sketches of its Cities, Villages and Townships, Educational, Religious,
Civil, Military, and Political History; Portraits of Prominent Persons
and Biographies of Representative Citizens. Chas. C. Chapman & Co.,
Peoria, Illinois, 1879, page 895, Union Township
Joshua G. Walker, farmer, P. O., Avon; son of Hugh Walker, was
born in Lewis county, Ky., Oct. 6, 1831. His parents brought him to
this country when but 4 years old; received his education in a log
school-house with paper windows and slab benches; has served the people
as Supervisor of Union township; is now one of the Trustees of Hedding
College, Abingdon. He was married March 28, 1854, to Minerva Brown, who
was born in Fulton county, June 18, 1831. They have had 9 children,
eight of whom are living. Both are members of the M. E. Church. Mrs.
W.’s grandfather, Samuel Barrows, served in the war of the Revolution,
and she still preserves a lock of his silver hair, which was black when
taken from his head. She also preserves his wine vessel, which is in
the shape of a barrel, and holds about a pint.
Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 569-570; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Joshua G. Walker is closely identified with the agricultural
interests and the public life of Union Township, and is justly regarded
as one of its bet citizens. He comes of pioneer parentage, and
has been a resident of this county nearly all his life. He was
born in Lewis County, Ky., October 6, 1831. His grandfather,
James Walker, was a native of New England, and was of Scotch descent.
The parents of our subject were Hugh and Nancy (Given) Walker,
and their names are recorded among those of the early pioneers of
Fulton County, to which they came in 1835. They located first in
Canton, and remained there one year, and during that time the terrible
tornado came, which demolished the town. The subject of this
sketch remembers of them being put in a dry-goods box for safety, but
though the house in which they lived was destroyed, none of the members
of the family were injured.
After that disastrous calamity Mr. Walker removed with his wife
and children to Lewistown, where he engaged in farming. In 1850
his busy and useful career was cut short by his untimely death, and the
community was deprived of a respected citizen. He and his wife
died within eight days of each other, and by their demise seven
children were sadly orphaned and left to the care of neighbors and
relatives.
Our subject was thus left the head of the family, and bravely
did he shoulder the duties and responsibilities thus thrust upon him at
the age of eighteen years. He, being the eldest, took charge of
the affairs of the farm, and for two years managed to keep his brothers
and sisters together, but the struggle was very hard for him, and the
children were then separated, being sent to live with strangers, and
having to endure many privations and hardships. Mr. Walker when
he became freed from his charge worked out by the month at $10 a month
for three years. March 28, 1854, he married Minerva Brown, and
was once more enabled to have a home of his own, having carefully saved
his earnings.
Mrs. Walker is a daughter of James Brown, of Lewistown Township,
who came to this county from the State of Maine, in 1828, and was one of
the earliest settlers of this part of the State. The following is
the record of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Walker: Mary
E., born January 1, 1855, is married to George W. Shinkle, of Warren
County; William W., born March 21, 1857, married Effie Keutchler, and
lives in Union Township; Ona, born March 15, 1860, John C., April 30,
1862; Francis M., October 1, 1864; Annie, December 31, 1867; George M.,
March 27, 1870 and James H., August 10, 1872, are all at home with
their parents; Eddie B., born May 15, 1875, died in infancy.
Mr. Walker resides on section 26, where he has as fine a farm as
can be found in Union Township. Its one hundred and twenty acres
are very fertile and well-tilled, there is a fine class of buildings on
the place and everything about betokens thrifty and well-direct
management.
Our subject is a thoroughly upright, honest man, always dealing
fairly and squarely by all, and his estimable character, as well as his
capability, has given him an important place among the civic officials
of the township. He has represented it on the County Board of
Supervisors, proving himself well qualified for that position by the
able way in which he discharged the duties of his office. He is
interested in the cause of education, and as School Director for six
years has promoted it in every way possible. The Republican party
finds in him a faithful supporter. He and his good wife are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Avon, and heartily aid its
every good work.
