Corp. William John Walker

"William J, Walker, a well known farmer residing on section 25, township 6, range 2, of Perry County. He was born in Wayne County, Ky., and there married Martha Thompson, daughter of Janies Thompson. In his native state he followed farming. In company with his father-inlaw, George Martin, John Hansford and Samuel Brannon, he came to Perry County, and spent the first winter in Pinckneyville. In the spring he located a claim of forty acres of Government land, and afterward entered other tracts, until he had three hundred and twenty acres on Four Mile Prairie. There he developed a fine farm, upon which he made his home until his death. He was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and was one of the organizers of the first church ever built on Four Mile Prairie. He was also one of the honored pioneers of the community, and took a prominent part in public affairs. In the family were ten children, eight of whom grew to mature years, while four are yet living: Mrs. Martha Jane Walker, of Piatt Station; Cassandra, widow of Frank Hester, and a resident of Perry County; and Simeon, who lives at Piatt Station.

Upon the old homestead William J. Walker was reared, and the subscription schools of the early days afforded him his educational privileges. With the exception of one summer spent in Minnesota, in the employ of the Indian department, he has always lived within six miles of the old place. He married November 7, 1857, Miss Keziah, daughter of Joseph A. Taylor, a native of Tennessee, who came with his parents to Illinois when six months old. The family settled in Kaskaskia, afterward went to Mississippi, but Mrs. Walker's father returned to Illinois, and locating in Jackson County, married Edith Pyle. He afterward removed to a farm a short distance from the Walker homestead, where he entered land. Subsequently he returned to Mississippi and purchased the home of his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor had twelve children, of whom ten grew to adult age, but only six are now living: Sarah, widow of Patrick Vancil; Rebecca Jane, wife of William Davis, of Jackson County; Mrs. Walker; Electa, widow of John Byers; Phoebe, wife of Lyman Pyle; and Giles, who lives in Lawrence County, Mo. In 1864 Mr. Walker was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 2d of May. They had three children, two of whom are yet living: Naomi, wife of R. G. Rees, a farmer and stock-raiser of Idaho; and Joseph T., at home. John W. died at the age of eight months. Mr. Walker was married August 15, 1864, to Elizabeth Taylor, sister of his first wife, and to them were born nine children, of whom seven are yet living: Peter H., a resident of Du Quoin; Mary L., at home; Solomon T.; William N., who is living in Newton County, Mo.; Hiram A., a student in Union College; Roscoe C. and Blanche E. Martha died at the age of eighteen months, and another child died in infancy.

Mr. Walker is the Owner of a fine farm of four hundred and fifteen acres, and at one time owned six hundred acres, but has given some to his sons. The land is highly cultivated with the exception of forty acres of timber, and the improvements upon it are in keeping with those of a model farm. His present residence was erected in 1890. His farm work was interrupted on the 15th of August, 1861, when he enlisted in Company A, Thirty-first Illinois Infantry, on President Lincoln's call for three hundred thousand volunteers. He became Corporal of the company, but was discharged December 27, 1861, for he lost an arm at the battle of Belmont on the 7th of November. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, and has held the offices of County Commissioner and other official positions. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, as is his wife. Socially, he belongs to Brookings Post No. 106, of Du Quoin, and has been its Vice-Commander. He is a man of sterling worth, a valued citizen of the community, and has the high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact."

• Source - Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois... page 469-70

William J. Walker served in the Union Army during the American Civil War in Company A, 31st Illinois Infantry Regiment. He entered service on 15 Aug 1861 and mustered in on 18 Sep 1861 in Cairo, IL with the rank of Corporal. He was discharged because of a gun shot wound in his arm on 27 Dec 1861 at Cairo, IL.

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/31st_Illinois_Volunteer_Infantry_Regi...