Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Walker, Lazenby ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com March 25, 2006, 11:31 pm Author: Bio/Gen Record LaSalle/Grundy 1900 Lazenby Walker, deceased, was one of the brave soldiers of the civil war who upon the altar of his country laid down his life in defense of the Union. In response to President Lincoln's call he donned the "blue" and upon the battle- fields of the south manifested his patriotic spirit by his devotion to duty. He was a man of unblemished character, widely and favorably known in Grundy county at the time when he enlisted under the stars and stripes. He founded here an excellent family that is still represented by the widow and children. Mr. Walker was born in Monroe county, near Bellville, Ohio, June 1, 1825, and was a son of Robert and Harriet (Lazenby) Walker. The parents were natives of England, in which country they were married. The father became a local Methodist minister in Monroe county, Ohio, where he located with his family in early pioneer times. There he owned and operated a farm and for many years he also engaged in preaching the gospel. About 1849 he removed to Morris, Illinois, and after a short time he purchased a farm about a mile south of Mazon, a part of this property now being occupied by his grandson, Eddie Walker. Rev. Robert Walker continued the work of the ministry and carried the "glad tidings of great joy" to the early pioneer settlers of Grundy county. He was largely instrumental in founding the Methodist churches of the county, and the influence of his life was as a grateful benediction to all who knew him. In his later year he retired from farming and removed to Morris, where he died at the advanced age of eighty years. His residence was always the home of the early pioneer circuit-riders, and his earnest devotion to the cause of Methodism was most effective in promoting the work of his church in this section of the state. In his early life he gave his political support to the Whig party and later voted with the Republican party. His children were Lazenby, John, William W., Thomas and Mary L., wife of Thomas Widney, now of Chicago. Three of the sons,— Lazenby, William L. and Thomas,—were Union soldiers during the civil war. Lazenby Walker acquired a common-school education, was reared upon the home farm, and near Bellville, Monroe county, on the 18th of March, 1852, was united in marriage to Miss Ann Clithero, who was born August 4, 1829, near Bellville, her parents being John D. and Jemima (Rush) Clithero. Her father was born November 25, 1803, and was a son of John and Ann (Dixon) Clithero. Her grandfather was a native of Wales and was a shoemaker by trade. After his marriage he came to America, bringing with him his family, and taking up his abode in Bellville, Ohio. In that locality he developed an excellent farm in the midst of the forest and made a good pioneer home, becoming a substantial citizen. He and his wife, Ann, were the parents of several children, but only two lived beyond infancy, and Mary died at the age of sixteen years. John, the other member of the family, became the father of Mrs. Walker. Her grandfather, John Clithero, Sr., was a member of the Methodist church and an industrious and highly respected pioneer citizen. He lived to old age and died in Bellville, Ohio. John D. Clithero, the father of Mrs. Walker, obtained a common-school education in the Buckeye state and was reared to agricultural pursuits. In Ohio, on the 7th of October, 1824, he married Jemima Rush, who was born in Pennsylvania, March 6, 1806, a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Rush, who also were natives of the Keystone state. Her father was a farmer and became one of the pioneers of Monroe county, Ohio, where he cleared a farm in the midst of the heavy timber region. His home was a log cabin, and so wild was the country that it was no infrequent thing to hear wolves howling around their house at night. Mr. Rush held membership in the United Brethren church and was a man whose energy, enterprise and reliability made him a highly respected citizen of his community. He died in Monroe county, Ohio, near Antioch, when well advanced in years. His children were: John, Slater, Rachel, Elizabeth and Jemima. After their marriage John D. and Jemima Clithero located on a farm in the midst of the forest and energetically devoted his time and attention to the work of developing his land. He made an excellent pioneer home. All of his children were born in Ohio, and, with the exception of two who died in early life, all became a credit to the family. Selling his farm near Bellville, Mr. Clithero took up his abode near Woodsfield, in Monroe county, Ohio, where he purchased a large farm, upon which he lived for many years, his death there occurring March 9, 1880, when he had attained the age of seventy-nine years. A member of the Methodist church, he long served as class-leader, filling that position until advanced age prevented his regular attendance at the church services. For a number of years he was also a licensed exhorter in the church. Plain-spoken, straightforward in all his dealings, he carefully reared his children to have strict regard for truth and morality, and in these respects he set them an excellent example. His life was indeed an exemplary one and he enjoyed the esteem and confidence of all who knew him. In politics he was an old-line Whig until after the dissolution of the party, when he joined the ranks of the new Republican party. His wife, a most estimable lady, passed away June 19, 1881. This worthy couple were the parents of the following children: Joseph, who was born July 25, 1825, was married May 14, 1850, to Caroline Jones, and died July 8, 1896; Elizabeth, born May 25, 1827, was married December 13, 1849, to Fletcher Starr, and died March 24, 1893; Ann, born August 4, 1829, was married March 18, 1852; John, born July 2, 1831; Isaac, born June 13, 1835, was married March 8, 1857, to Sarah Taylor, who was born May 30, 1835, and afterward he was a second time married, on the 28th of January, 1869; Rachel, who was born May 20, 1837, died June 7, 1839; Edward, who was born May 18, 1839, was married in August, 1861; Jemima, who was born March 19, 1841, was married June 17, 1862, and died March 7, 1871; Ivy J., was born April 9, 1843; an infant, unnamed, died January 14, 1845, the day succeeding its birth; Citizen was born February 1, 1846, and was married January 26, 1869; and Cyrus W., born December 1, 1847, was married September 6, 1877. Sarah Clithero was married November 6, 1856, to Samuel Gilmore, and died March 30, 1863. Lazenby Walker and his wife, Ann Clithero, located on a farm about a mile from Bellville, Ohio, renting land in Monroe county until they came to Illinois. On the 6th of December, 1858, they arrived in Morris and took up their abode in old Mazon, where they lived for one year. In the spring of i860 Mr. Walker purchased eighty acres of land south of the village,—the farm upon which his son Eddie now resides. This was a tract of wild prairie, upon which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made. He at once erected a home and began the improvement of the farm, but his labors were soon afterward interrupted by his enlistment as a private in the civil war. Feeling that his country needed his services and that it was his duty to aid in behalf of the Union, he enlisted at Morris, on the 11th of August, 1862, as a member of Company D, Ninety-fourth Illinois Infantry. He served for three years. He took part in a number of skirmishes and was always found at his post, faithfully discharging any task assigned to him. Death came to him at Brownsville, Texas, on the 14th of December, 1863, and his remains were laid in the soldiers' cemetery at Fort Brown. He died for his country, leaving to his family a record of an heroic and well-spent life. He was a member of the Methodist church, and all who knew him esteemed him for his sterling worth. Upon the farm he was an industrious and hardworking man, and as a soldier he was noted for his accommodating disposition, being ever ready to aid a comrade who was ill or in distress. He often took another's place on guard duty and thus won the love of all who wore the blue. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Walker were: William D., who was born January 7, 1853, and died when about six years of age; Isaac Benson, who was born January 18, 1855; Harriet Jane, born March 8, 1857, and died in infancy; Thomas Wilbur, born April 16, 1859; Eddie W., born October 31, 1860; and Oliver L., born December 8, 1863. After the enlistment of her husband Mrs. Walker took charge of the home farm and worked very hard to bring up her family and care for them. The children were small and the struggle was a very difficult one. However, she resolutely faced the conditions before her, and by her thrift, industry and good management succeeded in keeping her little ones together and in providing for them a comfortable home. At the time of the father's death but little improvement had been made upon the farm. Only a small payment had been made on the farm, and the mother was obliged to pay the entire amount agreed upon to perfect the title. Bravely she struggled on, supporting her family, providing for them a good home and giving them a good common-school education. As their financial resources increased she purchased more land and added to the property until she owned a valuable tract of two hundred acres. Upon this she erected good farm buildings and thus became the owner of one of the most desirable properties in the township. She is one of the honored pioneer women of Grundy county, and certainly deserves great credit for what she accomplished in bringing up her family and providing for them a comfortable home under such difficult circumstances. Her own educational privileges were limited, but she had a naturally bright and active mind and excellent business qualifications. When only twelve years of age she united with the Methodist church, of which she has since been a faithful and earnest member, doing all in her power to advance its work and rearing her children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Thomas W. Walker, a son of Lazenby and Ann (Clithero) Walker, was reared in Grundy county upon the old home farm, and having arrived at years of maturity he was married, September 17, 1879, to Martha Preston, the wedding taking place in Good Farm township. She was born in Grundy county, May 20, 1861, her father being James Preston, a son of Elijah and Martha (Weakly) Preston. James Preston was a native of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and was a farmer by occupation. He was married in Guernsey county, Ohio, to Elizabeth Huffman, who was of sturdy Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry. In 1849 Mr. Preston removed with his family to Grundy county, Illinois, locating in Felix, where his father had purchased two hundred and forty acres of land. Upon this tract William and James Preston, brothers, established their home, and the latter improved the farm and added to it until he had two hundred and eighty acres of land. He was recognized as one of the valued and representative citizens of the community. Twice married, the children of his first marriage were: Eliza; Frank, who died at the age of fourteen years; Randolph; Sarah; Mary Adeline; and Martha. After the death of his first wife Mr. Preston wedded Rachel Martin, nee Bailey, and they had one son, James. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Walker began their domestic life upon the farm now occupied by Oliver Walker, and there they lived until the death of the wife, on the 17th of August, 1880. She was a woman of many virtues and a member of the Methodist church. Their only child was Maud M., who was born August 18, 1880, and was therefore only five days old at the time of her mother's death. Her grandmother, Mrs. Ann Walker, then took charge of her and has carefully reared and educated her. She is a graduate of the high school of Mazon and has enjoyed excellent musical advantages. She has taught music to some extent, but does not make it a business. A young lady of culture and refinement, she is a credit to the family and has brought many happy hours to the old homestead. For his second wife Thomas W. Walker chose Miss Florence Beckwith, the wedding being celebrated in Plainville, Will county, Illinois. After their marriage they resided for a few years in Plainville and then removed to Mazon, where Mr. Walker erected an attractive and substantial two-story brick residence. Their home has been blessed with the presence of one child, Albert Vernon. In his political views Mr. Walker is a stalwart Republican and has held the office of treasurer of the school board. He holds membership in the Methodist church, and is a public-spirited and progressive citizen who gives his aid and co-operation to all measures calculated to prove of benefit to his town, county and state. A practical business man, he has won success in his undertakings, and throughout an active business career his honorable efforts have gained for him the confidence of his fellow men. Additional Comments: Source: Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy County, Illinois, Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, p742-746 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/grundy/bios/walker76gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 13.7 Kb