BIO:  POLK, William A., s/o James & Hannah (Shepard) Polk

Submitted by:  phill@redrock.net   (Phyllis Hill)

POLK   SHEPARD   HARPER   PARKER   

History of Knox and Daviess Counties, Indiana
Chicago:  The Goodspeed Publishing Co.  1886

Knox County, Busseron Twp., page 460

WILLIAM A. POLK was born in Widner Township, Knox Co., Ind., May 16, 1833, 
and is one of seven children born to James and Hannah (Shepard) Polk, who
were born in Kentucky, and are yet living, in Knox County, Ind.  William A.
secured a somewhat limited early education, but at the age of twenty-one
had sufficient education to enable him to begin teaching.  He taught about
three terms, and worked on a farm between times.  He was agent for the 
McCormick machines fifteen years, and part of the time was clerk in a store
in Oaktown in the winter seasons.  In 1861 he and his employer began clerking
for other parties, and bought grain for a few years.  In the spring of 1865
he purchased an interest with Adam Bond in a general merchandising store,
and continued successfully with him for four years.  In 1869 he formed a
partnership with his present partner, Roland S. Walker, and they carry a full
and select stock of general merchandise.  They are the undertakers of the
town, and conduct their business in two buildings, each 22x60 feet, and a
cabinet ship and wareroom besides.  Mr. Polk was married in 1858 to Kate
Harper, of Knox County.  They have two children:  Eugene E. and Katie.  The
wife died in 1876, and in April, 1878, Mr. Polk was married to Martha A.
Parker, also a native of the county.  They have two children: Theresa and
Chauncey.  Mr. Polk is one of the first citizens of the county, and is a
Republican in politics, and was postmaster of Oaktown for several years.  He
is quite well off, financially, and owns a pleasant farm besides his town
property.

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E-MAIL NOTIFICATION OF UNKNOWN COUNTY, KY BIOGRAPHY
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From: DICKPOLL@aol.com "DICKPOLL@aol.com"
Date: Monday, September 07, 1998 3:44 PM
Subject: POLK BIO

I have James Polk being born 5 Sep 1804 in Shelby Co., KY. Harriett was born
29 Jul 1808, although I do not know the county of her birth. They were married
29 Oct 1829. There were so many Polks in Shelby County, I would safely assume
the family moved to Knox County from Shelby County.

Richard H. Pollock

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