BIO: Elijah I. WALKER, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 429 ELIJAH I. WALKER, a well-known lumberman and proprietor of a sawmill located on the Marsh Creek road, in Boggs township, Centre county, was born April 15, 1843, on a farm adjoining the one on which he now resides. His father, Adam Walker, was also a native of Centre county, a farmer by occupation, and a son of Andrew and Margaret Walker, who were born in Germany, and were the first settlers of Boggs township, locating there in 1796. The grandfather cleared and improved a farm, on which he and his wife spent their remaining days. Adam Walker, the father of our subject, on reaching man's estate was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Walker, a cousin, who was born in Mifflin county, Penn., and was a daughter of Jacob and Margaret Walker, natives of Germany and Virginia, respectively. They also became early settlers of Centre county, where they continued to live until called from this life. The parents of our subject began their domestic life upon a farm in the same county, and reared their family, comprising the following children: Martha, deceased; Catherine, wife of Andrew Walker, a farmer of Boggs township; Jacob, a farmer of the same township; Margaret, who wedded Thomas Fey, but both are now deceased; Michael, who was a member of Company A, 45th P.V.I., during the Civil war, and died in the service; Andy, a contractor of Jeannette, Penn.; Adam, a farmer of Tyrone, Penn.; Elijah I. and Elisha H. (twins), the latter of whom is a real estate and insurance agent of Woodland, Penn.; Eve J., wife of Ben Hummel, of Wallaceton, Penn.; James and Martha, deceased; and one that died in infancy. The father died in 1881, at the age of seventy-four years, and the mother in 1876, at the age of sixty-eight years. Both were lifelong members of the United Brethren Church. Until he was twenty-three years of age, Elijah I. Walker remained upon the home farm, assisting in its operation during the summer season, and attended the district schools in the winter months in his early boyhood. He is, however, mostly self-educated, paying for his own tuition at Otterbein University, Ashtabula, Ohio, for one year. After leaving school in 1864, he returned home and enlisted in Company K, 82nd Penn. V. I., under Capt. J. F. Reen. He participated in a number of important engagements, including those of Sailors Creek and Petersburg, and was present at the surrender of Gen. Lee. He was never wounded, and at Philadelphia received an honorable discharge when the war was over. On arriving home he embarked in the lumber business, which he has since continued. He erected his present comfortable residence in 1867. On the 15th of January, same year, Mr. Walker was united in marriage with Miss Amanda Ackley, who was born in Centre county, October 4, 1847, a daughter of John and Nancy Ackley, natives of Buffalo Run, in the same county, where they spent their entire lives engaged in agricultural pursuits. Six children graced this union, namely: Harry E., who is engaged in the sawmill business at Spruce Creek, Huntingdon Co., Penn., and Clarence, Stella, Wilburn, Chester and Charles, who are still with their father. The wife and mother departed this life September 18, 1888, and November 4, 1895, Mr. Walker was again married, the lady of his choice being Mary M. Leister, and to them has been born a daughter, Esther L. Politically, Mr. Walker is independent, voting for the man whom he considers best qualified to fill the position. Formerly he was a Republican, twice being the nominee of that party for the Legislature, but was defeated owing to the county having a large Democratic majority. He is an intelligent, enterprising man, well informed on the leading questions and issues of the day, and is fully abreast with the times in every particular. His success in life is due entirely to industry, perseverance and good management, and he holds a high place in the esteem of his fellow citizens.