My Genealogy Hound

JAMES H. WALKER, engineer with the Heat, Light & Power Co. of Mt. Holly Springs, Cumberland Co., Pa., was born at Carlisle July 10, 1835, a son of James R. Walker and a grandson of Richard Walker.

Richard Walker came to America and to Frankford township, Cumberland county, early in the seventeenth century, from his native Ireland. He followed farming and trucking all his life, married and reared the following children: Peter, who died in Frankford township; Thompson, who lives in Frankford township; James R., deceased; Nancy, who died in Philadelphia; Sarah, who lives in Plainfield, West Pennsboro township; Mrs. Neff, who died in Newville; Margaret, who died at Philadelphia; and Mary, who died at Carlisle. Richard Walker and his wife died in Frankford township, where they were interred.

James R. Walker, father of James H., was born Feb. 12, 1825, in Frankford township. He assisted his father on the farm for some time and attended the local schools, and then went to Carlisle, where he learned shoemaking, at which he worked until the death of his wife, when he sold out and moved to Bloserville. He lived in Carlisle some forty years and then bought a farm of thirty acres in North Middleton township, where he engaged in the trucking business for eight years. After selling that property he bought eighty acres in Frankford township, where he lived until moving to Bloserville. Here, at a later date, he married the widow of James Logan and removed to her farm until her death, when he went to the home of his son, James H., where he died July 22, 1903. at the age of seventy-eight years.

James R. Walker first married Catherine Trough, who was born July 6, 1829, at Carlisle, and became the beloved mother of these children: Mary E., born Oct. 16, 1850; Charles W., Jan. 7, 1852; Alfred T., March 10, 1853; James H.; William M., Sept. 15, 1857; George N., Jan. 23, 1860; Walter, Aug. 30, 1862; Charles W., Nov. 30, 1864; and Richard T., Sept. 8, 1868.

James H. Walker was educated at Carlisle and adopted engineering as his profession. After marriage he located for two years at Millerstown and then followed his business in North Middleton township for several years, finally coming to Mt. Holly Springs, South Middleton township. Here he was associated with the Mt. Holly Paper Co. for twenty years, since when he has been connected with the Heat, Light & Power Co., of this place. An experienced man in his line of work, his services are much appreciated by his employers and his competency has resulted in the good service furnished the citizens in what are considered the necessities of life in these modern days.

Mr. Walker married Mary Keckler, the estimable daughter of Christian Keckler, of Adams county, Pa., and children as follows were born to them: Nannie B., born Feb. 18, 1875, died March 15, 1875; Harry Elmer, born May 4, 1876, died Oct. 8, 1876; Lizzie B., born Feb. 13, 1878, is the wife of G. Kunkle. a farmer in South Middleton township.

In politics Mr. Walker is identified with the Democratic party. Fraternally he is a member of Mt. Holly Lodge, I. O. O. F., Mt. Holly Lodge, K. P., and the Order of American Mechanics. The religious connection of the family is with the Lutheran Church at Mt. Holly Springs.