Biography - JOHN H. WALKER

John H. Walker, a prominent and substantial farmer, cattle raiser and dairyman, of Mount Olive township, Macoupin County, owning a fine farm of 121 acres in section 7, was born in Clark County, Indiana, February 8, 1844. He is the youngest son of John S. and Harriet (French) Walker.

John S. Walker was born near Dover, Kent County, Delaware, and died in Dorchester township, Macoupin County, in 1868, aged 75 years. His wife, Harriet French, was born in Delaware, and died in Indiana, when our subject was five years of age. Three children survived her: Mrs. Frances Elizabeth Hutchison, who died in 1868, near Staunton; William C., of Sacramento, California; and John H., of this sketch. John S. Walker was a Democrat in his political views. He was a farmer by occupation, and prior to coming to Indiana was an overseer for a time on a Maryland plantation.

John H. Walker was 15 years old when the family came to Macoupin County, where he has lived ever, since and has become one of the substantial and influential men. He owned 124 acres of land in Mount Olive township, but in December, 1903, he sold three acres to the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, whose line is in course of construction. Eighty acres of Mr. Walker's farm is under cultivation, and he engages in general farming, cattle raising and dairying. Mrs. Walker owns 20 acres in section 6, the coal rights of which have been disposed of to the B. L. Dorsey and the Superior coal companies.

Mr. Walker has a fine Civil War record. He enlisted March 8, 1865, at Staunton, in Company H, 28th Reg., Illinois Vol. Inf., under Capt. B. F. Cowell, and Col. Richard Ritter, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 13th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland. He saw much active service, participating in the battles of Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely, the surrender of Mobile, and the battle at Whistler, Alabama, and spent the last eight months of his enlistment at Brownsville, Texas, where he was mustered out March 8, 1866. He was never off duty during this time, from either sickness or wounds, and proved to be a good, reliable soldier, as he has since become a responsible, representative citizen. For six years he has served as highway commissioner of Mount Olive township, was constable one year in Staunton township, and is school director and trustee.

In 1863 Mr. Walker was married to Mava E. Godfrey, who was a daughter of Joseph Godfrey, and died in 1872, aged 32 years, without issue. In 1877 Mr. Walker married Margaret E. Sawyer, who was born in Mount Olive township, Macoupin County, and is a daughter of Ebern Sawyer, who was born in North Carolina, and died at North Bend, Mount Olive township, April 10, 1863, aged 57 years. Mr. Sawyer gave the name of North Bend to that school district. He came here in pioneer days with his parents and became an extensive agriculturist and cattle raiser. He married Mary A. Best, who was born in Tennessee, January 23, 1823, and still resides on the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer had nine children, namely: Anndosia (Mrs. Klock), of Mount Olive township; Stephen T., of Mount Olive township; Mary A. (Mrs. Courtney), deceased; Michael C, of Oklahoma Territory; Oliver H. P., deceased; Brittania A. (Mrs. Clark), of Mount Olive township; Margaret Ellen (Mrs. Walker,); Frances Elizabeth Best (Mrs. Lawrence), of Spokane Falls, Washington; and Ada Belle (Mrs. McMullen), of Oregon.

Mr. Walker is identified with the Democratic party and has taken a very active part in local matters. During the last presidential campaign, he was a member of the county executive committee, is a member of the township central committee and upon many occasions has been a delegate to both county and State conventions. He was one of the charter, members of the Staunton lodge of Odd Fellows.

Mr. Walker is widely known and universally respected. His opinions are consulted and his advice taken in matters pertaining to local affairs, his known integrity and public spirit making his judgment of value to his fellow citizens, who have never found him wanting in patriotism or local pride.

Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 395-397.