The grandfather of our subject was probably born in Ireland, and came of Irish parentage. He was unmarried when he came to the United States, and after settling in Pennsylvania he there married a lady of German descent; they both died in the Keystone State.

The father of our subject, Philip Walker, was born in Northampton County, Pa., and there reared and educated. He married Miss E. Barbara Brown, who was of American parentage and was born in Northampton County. The Brown family were large, strong and stout people, while the Walkers were persons who were short and stout. After the marriage of Philip Walker, about 1801, he went to Centre County, and there resided until his death, in 1854, at the age of eighty-three years or there­abouts. Where he had made settlement, later became divided into what is now known as Clinton County. He was a man of very amiable disposition, and a successful farmer and influential citizen. His wife survived him some years, and died about 1864, within a month of being eighty-five years of age. She was the mother of nine children, four sons and five daughters,- our subject being the sixth child. Three of the children are yet living, namely: George; Susan, who is the widow of Daniel Wisor, recently murdered by a desperado while he was performing his official duty as Marshal of Valley Falls, Kan.; Mrs. Wisor makes her home in Valley Falls, and is aged sixty-two. The brother’s name is Philip, Jr., and he is now living on part of the old homestead in Clinton County, Pa., aged sixty­seven years.

Thie early life of our subject was spent at home. He received a good education and was a close student, acquiring a large fund of information from his readings. By reason of the commanding position he took in the county, in 1831 he was made First Lieutenant of the home militia, held the office for five years, and was made Captain of the 10th Company of the 111th Pennsylvania State militia. He acquitted himself so ably in this office for a period of seven years that he was made Lieutenant Colonel of the same regiment. There he continued for seven years, the three last as aid-de-camp of Gov. Shunk, the State Executive.

In the fall of 1849 Col. Walker came to Illinois, taking up his location in Rock Run township. This was before the era of railroads, and the Colonel came Overland, using that useful vessel in general service at that time, a prairie schooner, which was propelled by animal power, and required five weeks to make the journey overland. On landing here the Colonel secured 380 acres of land, which he got directly from Uncle Sam. He began to make imiprovements here on section 19 in Rock Run Township, although part of his land was in Ridott Township. He began on a pioneer scale to build himself a home, and first erected a low building of ohe story and a half in height, and 13x21 feet in size, built of oak timber. After improving his house and land somewhat he moved to Dakota Township, locating on section 24, which was a tract of excellent land. Col. Walker lived on this farm until 1868, when he retired to the village of Dakota, purchasing a good property, upon which he erected a substantial dwelling. He also purchased other property in the village, which he still owns. His home in Dakota Township comprises 160 acres of land located on section 24, on which there are good farm buildings.

In 1836 our subject was married near his old home in Clinton County, Pa.; the lady was Miss Mary Gamble, a relative of the late Gen. John A. Gamble, and Judge James Gamble, of Lycomirig County, Pa. She is the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Williamson) Gamble, of Cumberland County, Pa., of Scotch-Irish descent. They were farmers by occupation. Her parents came to what is now Clinton County, then Centre County, where they lived some years, and where the mother died when the daughter, Mrs. Walker, was eleven years old. Later on the father went to Monroe, Wis., and there died at threescore years of age.

Mrs. Walker was born in Centre County, now Clinton County, Pa., Dec. 16, 1816, and died at her home in Dakota, IL Aug. 16, 1883. The Colonel is the father of nine children, two of whom are now deceased: James W. and Franklin reside on a farm in Dakota Township; Catharine, wife of Emanuel Lambert, late of Pennsylvania, but now living with the Colonel, Mr. Lambert being a carpenter; John S. is a farmer living in Rock Grove Township; Nancy E., wife of farmer Sam Askey, residing in Montgomery County, Iowa; Amanda is the wife of Howard Barr, a farmer residing in Rock Run Township; George V. married Miss Ora Klingman. The deceased children are an infant and Emma S. The Colonel has been one of the live men of the township and county, and has held most of its offices. In politics he is an uncompromising and unimpeachable Jacksonian Democrat. His first vote was cast for that father of the Democracy, and he has continued stead Cast in that faith ever since.

History of Stephenson County 1888 Portrait & Biographical Pg 313