Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Walker, Ann 1829 - 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com February 26, 2006, 1:55 am

Author: History of Grundy Co 1882

Ann Walker, farmer, P. O. Mazon, is the widow of Lazenby Walker, born in Ohio, 
August 4, 1829. She is a daughter of John D. and Jemima Clithero, married 
March 18, 1852. The family consists of six children - William D., born January 
7, 1853, died July 15, 1859; Isaac B., born January 18, 1855; Harriet J., born 
March 8, 1857, died June 30, 1858; Thomas W., born April 16, 1859; Eddie W., 
born October 31, 1861, and Oliver L., born December 8, 1863. They have a farm 
of 200 acres in Section 28, of Mazon Township. The following is the notice of 
the death of her husband, Lazenby Walker, one of Grundy County's noblest 
soldiers:

"How sleep the brave, who sink to rest
By all their country's wishes blest!
When spring, with dewy fingers cold, 
Returns to deck their hallowed mold;
She then shall dress a sweeter sod
Than fancy's feet hath ever trod.

"By fairy hands their Rude is rung,
By forms unseen, their dirge is sung;
There, honor comes, a pilgrim gray,
To bless the sod that wraps their clay;
And Freedom shall awhile repair
To dwell a weeping hermit there."

Died, at Post Hospital, in the city of Brownsville, Cameron Co., Texas, 
Lazenby Walker, of Company D (Capt. Fosha's), Ninety-first Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry.

The deceased was born at Belleville, in the State of Ohio, A. D. 1826, and 
was, at the time of his death thirty-seven years of age. He enlisted on the 
11th day of August as a volunteer soldier in response to the call of the 
President of the United States for the purpose of aiding in putting down the 
rebellion. At the time of his enlistment, he resided at Mazon, in the county 
of Grundy, Ill. Brother Walker was a good and faithful soldier, always ready 
to do his duty as a soldier in every particular. He had only one fault, and 
that cost him his life. That was his zeal in the cause in which he had cast 
his all. For three months, the disease of which he died, chronic diarrhea, had 
been preying on his system, before he reported himself on the sick list; and 
when he died he was so exhausted and so ill that, our regimental hospital tent 
not having been brought up from Brazos Island, I sent him to the post hospital 
at Brownsville, where he could get comfortable quarters for his enfeebled 
body. There he continued over four weeks. Part of the time he seemed to 
improve until the 13th, when he failed rapidly in strength, and expired on the 
morning of the 14th of December. He was buried with military honors in the 
soldiers' burying ground, of Fort Brown, December 15, 1863.

"Then let him like a warrior sleep,
The green turf on his breast;
And where the summer roses bloom,
They laid him down to rest."

Brother Walker was a good citizen and neighbor, beloved and respected by all 
who were acquainted with him. At home, he was the same as in the regiment. He 
had no enemies. As a father and husband, he was always at his post, kind, warm-
hearted and affectionate. To mourn his loss, he leaves a wife and four 
children, besides an aged father and mother. No more will they behold his 
manly form. No more with smiles of pleasure will they be greeted, on his 
return from the labors of the day. No more will she hear his voice, so 
pleasant and agreeable to her he loved so well. No more will his dear 
children, for whose enjoyment he could sacrifice so much, see their noble 
father again. He is gone!

"He'll come no more as one he came,
A partner's heart to cheer,
To bring the smiles of pleasure back,
Or stay the falling tear."

Brother Walker was not only a good citizen and soldier, but he was more. He 
was a good man and Christian. Following in the footsteps of his worthy father, 
years ago he was converted to God, jointed the Methodist Church, and by his 
Godly walk and conversation convinced all that he was what he professed, a 
meek and humble follower of the Lamb.

Although the summons came in early manhood, it did not find him unprepared. A 
few hours before he breathed his last breath, he became satisfied that his 
hour of departure had come. He gave some directions to Capt. Fosha about his 
funeral, which he requested should be carried out, spoke of his dying far away 
from home, from wife and children, from father and mother, expressing a wish 
to see them all once more on earth. But saying it was impossible (as he felt 
the cold damp of death on his brow) "I yield to Him who doeth all things well. 
I go to my Father's house, a house not made with hands, eternal in the 
heavens."

"Behold the Christian warrior stand,
In all the armor of his God;
The Spirit's sword in his right hand,
His feet are with the Gospel shod.

"Thus strong in his Redeemer's strength,
Sin, death and hell he trampled down;
Fights the good fight, and wins at length,
Through mercy, an immortal crown."

David Leroy
Surgeon Ninety-first Illinois Volunteers


Additional Comments:
Source: History of Grundy County, Illinois. (1882) Chicago: O.L. Baskin & Co. 
Historical Publishers.

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