JAMES C. WALKER, a wealthy and influential farmer of Jefferson township, is a son of James Walker, whose grandfather, David, was born in New Jersey, and was there married to Elizabeth Elliott, of the same State. Soon after their marriage David and Elizabeth Walker moved to Huntingdon county, Penn., and, about 1772, settled near a little town called Burnt Cabins. Here the following children were born and reared; Alexander, John, David, James, Martha, Sarah (Mrs. Cree), Susan, Polly and Isabelle, all of whom are now deceased. Alexander Walker was born May 10, 1773, in Huntingdon county, Penn., and worked on the home farm until 1795. He then came to Washington county, settling in Jefferson township on the place now owned by his son Samuel. Here Alexander Walker was married, October 26, 1800, to Elizabeth Norris, who was born December 8, 1778. The young people settled on the home farm, which Mr. Walker managed in connection with distilling, the latter being at that time as important an industry as milling. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Walker were as follows: Elizabeth, born February 22, 1802; John, born June 8, 1803; David, born September 19, 1804; James, born January 1, 1807; John N., born June 24, 1808; Susanna, born December 22, 1809; Alexander, born June 21, 1811; Mary Ann, born February 7, 1814; David S., born July 6, 1816; Isabella, born November 17, 1818; Drusilla, born February 16, 1821; and Samuel, born April 18, 1823. The father of this family died September 8, 1854, and was followed by the mother December 17, 1855.
James Walker (the father of subject) passed his youth on the old Walker homestead, and October 9, 1828, was married to Elizabeth Graham, a native of this county. They have passed all their wedded life in the old house on the home farm, where six children have been born to them, namely: Olivia, born in March, 1830; John G., born in August, 1831; Alexander, born in August, 1833; William W., born in August, 1836; Ann D., born August 28, 1838; and James C., born August 14, 1842.
James C. Walker was born and reared on the old farm, and in early manhood was united in marriage with Eliza, daughter of William Vanordstrandt, a native of Washington county. After his marriage James immediately bought out the interest of the other heirs in the homestead, and made it his permanent home. One daughter blessed this union: Anna E., born in 1862 (now married to B. B. Stroud, of Independence). The mother died October 12, 1862, and Mr. Walker married Hannah E. Caldwell, November 21, 1867, of Hanover township, who bore him two sons: Norris, born November 24, 1868, and James, born February 5, 1873. Mrs. Hannah E. Walker died January 26, 1875, and March 20, 1878, Mr. Walker married Belle Sutherland, of Smithfield, Ohio. They have three children, namely: Mary M., born May 3, 1881; John Sherman, born January 9, 1883; and Bessie Graham, born April 19, 1884. Mr. Walker is a farmer and stock raiser, and owns 200 acres of fine land, upon which he has erected a handsome residence. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and in religion a liberal supporter of the Presbyterian Church.
Text taken from page 411 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed February 1998 by Sherry Norton of Anaheim, CA as part of the Beers Project.
Published February 1998 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]