My Genealogy Hound

W. R. WALKER. No more highly respected and esteemed citizen lives in Cass County than the one of whom we write, who has been a successful agriculturist here for many years, and throughout all that time has so conducted himself as to earn the just admiration and regard of his neighbors and associates. He was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, November 28, 1849, and is a son of Jesse P. Walker, and grandson of Robert Walker. The latter was an early settler of Trumbull County, Ohio, and there passed his last days. Jesse P. Walker was born at Beaver Falls, Pa., and remained there until ten years of age, when he went with his parents to Trumbull County, Ohio. He was one of ten children. After reaching manhood he was married in Trumbull County to Miss Orlina Benedict, daughter of William Benedict, who was a native of Connecticut, and a prominent farmer of Trumbull County. He served through the War of 1812.

After marriage Jesse Walker located in Trumbull County and was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1867, when he moved to Cass County, Mich., engaged in farming, and was thus busily employed for twenty-three years. From there he moved to Marcellus, and died in that town on the 20th of January, 1890. He was a good man, and for many years was identified with the history of the best movements of Cass County. Of the six children born to his marriage, three reached mature years. The mother of our subject died on the 20th of November, 1885, and Mr. Walker’s second marriage was with Mrs. Louisa Bogart, who bore him one child, Jesse. Mr. Walker was Highway Commissioner in Newburg Township, this county, and in politics was a Republican. He held membership with the Methodist Protestant Church, and was Class-leader in the same for years. He met with good success in his chosen occupation, and was the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, on which were substantial buildings, barns, etc.

The subject of this notice attained his growth and secured a fair education in the Buckeye State, attending the subscription schools of the same until seventeen years of age. He then came to Michigan with his parents, and on the 24th of December, 1871, he was married to Miss Alice Rudd, daughter of B. Rudd, who was a farmer and carpenter of Newburg Township, this county. Her father was a native Vermonter and came to Michigan about 1840, settling in La Grange Township, Cass County. After marriage Mr. Walker settled in Newburg Township, on section 4, improved a good farm, and there resided for twenty years, when he moved to Marcellus. This was in 1872, and he has been a resident of this town since. He has two hundred and seventy acres on section 4, and it is all in a good state of cultivation. He is a general farmer and stock-raiser, and aims to keep the best kind of stock on his farm. His buildings are all in good condition and are an ornament to the place, and his fences are kept in good repair.

Mr. Walker has been Justice of the Peace of Newburg Township for three successive terms, and has also been Highway Commissioner of his township. In his religious views he is a Methodist, and he was Class-leader for a number of years. The four children born to his union were as follows; Viola, Earlie, Birdie and William Edward, all at home. Barker Rudd, the father of Mrs. Walker, served all through the Rebellion and was wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of Stone River. This severe wound was partly the cause of his death in 1880.