Bartholomew-Johnson County IN Archives Biographies.....Walker, Abner 1836 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com March 4, 2007, 3:53 pm Author: B. F. Bowen (1904) ABNER WALKER. Abner Walker, who carried on general farming for many years in Bartholomew county, is now enjoying a well earned rest, living at his fine home situated on a tract of two and a half acres of land in East Columbus. His place here is splendidly improved and is the visible evidence of thrift and industry which Mr. Walker has led. He was born in Johnson county, Indiana, on the 18th of March, 1836, and is a son of Zepheniah and Lydia (Wheaton) Walker, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Ohio. The paternal grandparents of the subject were residents of Pennsylvania. Later they took up their abode in Kentucky and at an early day in the development of this portion of Indiana came to Bartholomew county. Pioneer conditions existed and much arduous labor was required of the early settlers in order to make the land cultivable. The grandfather did much clearing, thus preparing his fields for the plow, and he and his family encountered many of the hardships and difficulties of pioneer life, but through energy and perseverance triumphed over these. There were a good many wolves in the forests at the time of their arrival and wild game of all kinds was to be had in abundance. As the years passed by, however, great changes occurred—by time and man. The grandfather bore his full share in the work of early development and progress and well deserves to be mentioned among the honored pioneers to whom the present generation owes a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. Zepheniah Walker was reared upon the old family homestead, but not desiring to make farming his life work, he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed throughout the greater part of his business career. He, however, owned a farm at one time and his last days were spent near Georgetown, in Brown county. He met with a fair degree of success in his undertakings and was recognized as a citizen of worth and value because of the honorable life he led and because of his interest and co-operation in public affairs for the general good. He voted with the Democracy. His children were four in number: Ambrose, who died in camp while serving as a Union soldier in the Civil war; Carrie, deceased; Catharine, who has passed away, and Abner. To the public school system of the state Abner Walker is indebted for the educational privileges he enjoyed in his youth. He spent his boyhood in his parents' home, and, unlike his father, he in early life decided to make farming his life work. Starting out with determination, he worked industriously and in course of time was enabled to purchase a tract of land. He had had few opportunities and advantages in his youth, but he made the most of these and by his unremitting diligence he gradually won success. He is now the owner "of seventy-two acres of good land, which is well drained by ditching and is supplied with many modern improvements and equipments. He carried on general farming therein until 1894, when he determined to put aside the more active cares of business life and rented his farm. He has since lived in East Columbus, where he purchased two and a half acres of land. Upon this a fine house and good barn have been erected and other improvements made. His lawn has been beautified and the home is attractive both in the interior furnishings and the exterior adornments. On the 27th of December, 1856, Mr. Walker was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Hubbell, a daughter of Stephen and Mary Hubbell, the father born in New York and the mother in Pennsylvania. They became residents of Johnson county, Indiana, at an early period in its development, driving an ox team to that locality, where they became pioneer settlers. The father cleared a tract of land and in the early days lived in a log cabin in true pioneer style, but as the years passed he was enabled to provide for his family more of the comforts of life. He voted with the Democracy and held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Walker were born six children: William, who died at the age of twenty years; Martha, the wife of John E. Campbell, a farmer; James and Ida, both deceased; Emma, the wife of C. S. Hunter, who also carries on farming, and Ella, the wife of George Hill, who is an express agent at Indianapolis. Mr. Walker believes firmly in the platform of the Republican party and gives proof of his allegiance thereto by casting his ballot for its candidates. He has served as supervisor for several years, proving a capable and trustworthy official. He belongs to the Christian church and is interested in everything pertaining to the general welfare, co-operating in many measures for the public good and along material, social, intellectual and moral lines. A determined purpose and laudable endeavor have formed the basic elements in his success and have made him one of the prosperous residents of his adopted county. Additional Comments: Extracted from BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY INDIANA INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES OF THE GOVERNORS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF INDIANA ILLUSTRATED 1904 B. F. Bowen PUBLISHER File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/bartholomew/bios/walker858gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/infiles/ File size: 5.7 Kb