History of Noble Co, IN - 1882, Goodspeed and Blanchard
John Walker is a substantial farmer in York Township, where he
owns nearly 300 acres of land, with a considerable portion under
cultivation, and with improvements in the way of buildings, fences,
hedges, orchard, etc...,that characterize the whole as the result of
efficient management. The 185 rods of fine grown, well-cared-for hedge
that surrounds some of the fields is a feature that lends to the beauty
and adds to the value of this farm. The soil is productive, and yields
bountiful harverts. In 1879, 1600 bushels of wheat were taken from its
fields, and it yearly produces from 30 - 40 tons of hay. Other crops are
harvested in goodly quantities. The farm is in sections 1 and 2, and the
land - or a portion of it - was entered in 1837 by Mr. Walker's father,
Christopher, who was born 21 October 1787. His wife, Mary (Magdelain),
and mother of John, was born 15 December 1793; they were natives of
Pennsylvania, but removed to Richland County, Ohio, where they remained
until their death; the father 26 September 1872, and the mother 11 June
1877. They had 11 children, ten of whom are living: Mrs. Mary Acton, in
Wayne twp; Henry, in Elkhart twp, Ephraim, in Morrow County, Ohio; John,
the subject; Mrs. Sarah Thompson, in Wayne twp; Gabriel, Israel, in
Elkhart twp; Gideon, in Swan twp;, Mrs. Susan Delan, in Knox County,
Ohio; Mrs. Elvina Hoffman, wife of John Hoffman, of Jefferson twp; and
William, deceased. John Walker was born in Richland County, Ohio, 21
December 1821, where he learned the trade of blacksmithing of his
father; this he followed, together with farming, until Mary 1849, when
he came to this county, locating where he now resides. Here, his time
has been given principally to the cultivation of the soil, although he
has worked some at his trade. 25 March 1845, he was married to Miss
Miriam Cook, also a native of Richland County, Ohio, born 10 November
1824. She is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Walker has erected a
fine brick residence in Albion, into which he intends to move in 1882,
and live in retirement, and in the enjoyment of the fruits of honest
toil. He is a much-respected and highly-honored citizen, and has served
his township as Trustee. He has an aunt by marriage - Sarah Stilwell -
who will be 100 years old in March 1882, and who is still quite active
for one so aged.