BIO: Jeremiah E. WALKER, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB 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. _____________________________________________________________________ JEREMIAH E. WALKER. Among the pioneer families of Centre county none holds a higher place in the esteem of the public than does the Walker family, which was established in Brush Valley about a century ago, our subject's grandfather, John Walker, having gone there from Northampton county, Penn., as a young man, settling permanently, and marrying Miss Mary M. Gramley, a member of another well-known family. Their son Daniel, the father of our subject, was born in Brush Valley, July 9, 1807, and was reared to manhood at the old farm. He married Hannah Erhard, a native of Brush Valley, born October 9, 1807, a daughter of Michael and Anna Mary (Wildeson) Erhard, well-known residents of Miles township, Centre county. Six children were born of this union: Samuel, an ex-teacher now residing in Salona, Penn.; Jeremiah E., our subject; Jonathan, of Brush Valley; Harriet, who married Samuel Brungart, and died in Miles township; Mary, who married Ruben Snook, and died in Nittany Valley; and Sarah, now Mrs. James Carman, of Rebersburg, Pennsylvania. Daniel Walker was by occupation an agriculturist, and passed his active life upon the first farm he ever owned. Although of small stature he was an industrious man, and was successful for his day. At the time of his death he owned over 500 acres of land in Brush Valley, 200 acres in Nittany Valley, and other tracts elsewhere. In politics he was a steadfast Democrat, but no office seeker. He took much interest in religious work as an active member of the Lutheran Church; his wife was identified with the Reformed Church. She died May 26, 1884, and his death occurred May 27, 1887, the remains of both being buried in the cemetery of Rebersburg. J. E. Walker was born at the old home in Brush Valley, July 18, 1837, and his education was acquired at the Brungart school house, his opportunities being decidedly inferior to those of the present time. His father owned a sawmill and gristmill in connection with his large farm, and was able to find plenty of work for his boys. The consciousness of the value of a good education has made Mr. Walker an advocate of a more liberal school system than was common in his youth. On February 5, 1860, he was married in Brush Valley to Miss Anna Brungart, a native of Clinton county, Penn., born December 16, 1838, daughter of John and Mary (Barner) Brungart. Her father was a blacksmith and farmer and a well-known citizen. Mrs. Walker was the tenth child and seventh daughter in a family of twelve children - three sons and nine daughters, and her educational opportunities were limited to the schools of that locality. Mr. Walker established his home in his native township, at Walker's Mills, and conducted the gristmill for his father, having learned that business in Mill Hall when about seventeen years old. He spent twenty- five years as a miller in Miles township, operating only two different mills, and yet he has made thousands of barrels of flour and sawed thousands of feet of lumber. Hard work and careful management have gained him a comfortable competence, while he is highly respected among his associates for his honesty and uprightness. Failing health compelled him to give up milling for agricultural work, and a few years later, in the spring of 1890, he removed to Rebersburg. He still owns a farm of fifty-eight acres in Miles township, which he oversees. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have had six children, of whom five are living, and make a family of which any parent might be proud. Jane married 308 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Newton Brungart, of Sugar Valley; Emma C. died in childhood; Emma resides in Bellefonte; and Lewis E., Elizabeth M. and Meta O. are at home. Mr. Walker and his wife are Lutherans in faith, and have always been in sympathy with the various progressive movements in their vicinity. As a steadfast believer in Democratic principles, Mr. Walker takes keen interest in his party, but he has neither sought nor held office.