Part of the Indiana Biographies Project
James H. Walker
This well known agriculturist and highly esteemed citizen of Washington township is a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Wayne county, being a son of John B. and Susan (Sinks) Walker, natives of Tennessee and Ohio, respectively. The maternal grandfather, Jacob Sinks, came to this county from Ohio, about 1818, and located on land adjoining the new village of Milton, which his wife's father, Mr. Yount, had entered from the government. He improved a part of the land for farming purposes, and platted a portion, laying out about a fourth of the town of Milton into lots, which he sold. He built the first gristmill at that place, which was burned a number of years ago. Later he added a sawmill to that structure, the power being obtained by damming the Whitewater river. He was a very enterprising and public-spirited man, whose services were of inestimable value to the new country, and he did all in his power to promote the interests of Milton, taking a foremost place in any movement for the benefit of his adopted town or county. He built many of the residences of Milton, and continued to make that place his home until his death. He was a consistent member of the Society of Friends, was a man of stern integrity and honor, and was highly esteemed by his fellow citizens. He had four children: Daniel; Anna; Susan, mother of our subject; and Jacob, all of whom are now deceased.
John B. Walker, the father of our subject, was a blacksmith and woodworker by trade, and was an expert mechanic. He came to Milton in 1818, and was soon afterward joined by his brother and sister. Seeing the need of agricultural implements in this new country, and both being good mechanics, the brothers soon embarked in the manufacture of plows, for which there was a great demand, and now many of the old men, who were then boys, say that the first plow they used was made by Walker & Brother. They are also willing to testify to the honest work done by the firm, and the honorable way in which they conducted all their blacksmithing and woodwork business, which they continued for many years. The father of our subject also engaged in farming, and was a great fancier of fine horses. He probably did more than any other individual in early days to improve the grade of horses in this county, and owned several fine stallions. He bought a small tract of land adjoining the corporation of Milton, erected thereon a commodious residence, and there spent the remainder of his days, dying November 4, 1852. On coming to Milton he was a Methodist, but finally became converted to the Christian church, and was ever afterward one of its devoted and leading members. He was a man of high integrity, was honorable in all his dealings, and in all respects his life was most exemplary. Politically he was a Whig. His wife survived him for many years, and died on the old homestead, at Milton, June 26, 1880. She too, was a consistent member of the Christian church, and was loved and respected by all who knew her. Their children were Sarah C., who died at the age of twelve years; Jacob S., who died in 1880, leaving a wife and five children; Mary A., wife of J. McNamee; and James H., our subject.
James H. Walker was born in Milton, April 13 1851, and was only an infant when his father died. He was reared at the old home by a good Christian mother, who tenderly cared for him, and he was educated in the local schools. He was always engaged in agricultural pursuits, and also in teaming to some extent, and he now owns a good farm besides the sixteen acre tract at the old home. The house built by his father in 1837 is an elegant structure and is still well preserved.
In 1880 Mr. Walker wedded Miss Mary C. Macy, who belongs to a prominent early family of Jay county, Indiana. Her parents, Obed and Mary (White) Macy, were natives of North Carolina, and with their respective parents came to Jay county, where their marriage was celebrated. The father, who is a carpenter by trade, now resides in Adams county, Indiana, an honored and highly respected citizen of that locality. Politically, he is a Democrat, and religiously adheres to the faith of the Society of Friends. His wife died when Mrs. Walker was very young. The latter was born April 16, 1856, and is an only child. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have one daughter, Carrie S., born May 30, 1884. Mother and daughter are consistent members of the Methodist church, and the family is both widely and favorably known. Politically, Mr. Walker is a stanch Republican, and though he takes an active interest in all public questions and political affairs he has never aspired to office.
Source:
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana, Volume 1, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1899