Obituary - Thomas and Mary Ann Walker, Grant Co., WI

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Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by David W. Taft, July 2002, dtaft@cowtown.net

Thomas Walker

The Fennimore Times, October 9, 1907

Octogenarian Veteran Passes from Earth Thursday

Preston.  The well known old veteran, and citizen of Grant County for over half a century, 
Thomas Walker, died at his home at Preston last Thursday, aged 82 years.  His death was not 
unexpected for his health had been gradually failing for some time, and the infirmities of 
old age were on him.

Mr. Walker was born in Yorkshire, England, Sept. 28, 1825, and came to this country in 1849 
with his brother Peter, leaving Liverpool Feb. 25, and landing in New Orleans in nine weeks, the 
trip being made in a sailing vessel.  They came to Galena, narrowly escaping the great 
cholera plague, and engaged in mining at Benton.  Being a mason by trade, he decided to 
return to Illinois, and worked at his calling in Joe Davies Co.  Later he bought mineral at Shullsburg, took 
up mining again, and was in the smelting works of Hazel Green a year.  His savings enabled 
him to buy a farm of 240 acres, nine miles south of Muscoda, which he exchanged a year 
later for one in the town of Clifton, on which he made many improvements and on which he 
lived until he sold it to his son Ulysses and took up his residence in Preston.

Mr. Walker enlisted Feb. 1, 1864, in Co. H, 7th Wisc., and served till the close of the 
civil war.  At the battle of Petersburg, four bullets struck the buckle of his cartridge 
belt in rapid succession, but he was not injured.  He, however, contracted a cold, which 
resulted in catarrh and rheumatism, from which he never recovered.  Mr. Walker was an 
honored member of Sam Monteith Post, Fennimore.  He took great pleasure in entertaining 
the surviving members of his company at a reunion at his home three years ago.

He was married July 4, 1855, to Miss Mary Ann Thomas, daughter of Thos. Thomas Sr., of 
Wingville.  Ten children were born to them, of which four, James, Mary Ellen, Mrs. W. E. 
Perkins, and Llewellyn, are deceased.  The surviving ones are Tanner, of Excelsior, Wis., 
Ulysses of Clifton, Norval and Benjamin of Wingville, Stella, (Mrs. F.L. Kraemer) of 
Fennimore, Alda, (Mrs. Walt Heathcote) of Wingville.  These and the widow mourn the loss 
of a kind and loving father and husband.  Mr. Walker's only brother, Peter, is still 
living, aged 75 years, at Algona, Iowa.  He was unable to come to the funeral.

Mr. Walker was a man who stood high in the esteem of the community; was honorable and 
upright in all his dealings and conscientious in everything.  He was deeply religious 
and for more than half a century was a faithful member of the M. E. church.  His 
citizenship was of the highest and best class and he lived up strictly to his conceptions 
of what was right and constituted duty; ever loyal to his country, his family and his God.

The funeral was held from the Preston M. E. church Sunday afternoon at 1 o'clock, Rev. Bird 
officiating and was under the auspices of Sam Monteith Post, Fennimore, many veterans and 
other friends attending, and the church was unable to hold all who had come to pay their 
last respects.  A male quartet, Messrs. Bird, Niehaus, Henderson and Willison sand.  
Interment was made at Ebenezer.  The tasteful decorations were the work of the Fennimore 
Relief Corps, who were also present in a body at the obsequies.

The editor cannot refrain from adding a personal work to the above, for Mr. Walker was 
one of the staunchest friends we had, and this friendship was manifested at such times 
and in such ways as to make it impossible to ever forget it.  Often have Mr. Walker's 
words of encouragement and approval cheered us, and his visits were always helpful.  
He has gone, yet the mind will frequently recall the kindly face of the good old man, 
and cherish his memory.


Mrs. Mary Walker

Obituary

Mary Ann Thomas was born at Linden, Wis., Sep 4, 1835, and passed away at the home of her 
son Ben Jan. 30, 1919.  When but an infant her parents moved to a farm south of Preston.  
Here she grew to womanhood and here on a part of the same farm she died over eighty years 
after.

She was united in marriage July 4, 1853 to Thomas Walker.  This couple were permitted to 
celebrate their golden wedding.

Shortly after their marriage they took up their residence on a farm three miles south of 
Preston on which their son Ulysses now lives and here during the civil war she managed 
the farm and cared for her four small children while her husband served his country.

In their declining years they purchased a home in Preston.  Here Mr. Walker died 
Oct. 3, 1907.

The last three years of her life was spent among her children.  She was the mother of ten 
children, four having preceded her to the better land, James, Mary, May, Llewelyn.  Those 
left to mourn her loss are Tanner of Petersburg, Ulysses and Ben of Preston, Norval of 
Fennimore, Stella, Mrs. Fred Kraemer of Madison, Wis., Alda, Mrs. Walter Heathcote, 
Fennimore.  She also leaves thirty-four grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren, 
one sister, Mrs. Nellie Weston, Wolsey, S.D., one brother, Lewis Thomas, Eagle, Colorado, 
and one half-brother, Mark Thomas of Florence, Colo.

The deceased was a member of the M. E. church from girlhood and was always found in her 
place of worship whenever her health permitted.  She taught Sunday school class for many 
years in the Ebenezer church, near her old home.  She was well posted in God's word, and 
was able to quote many passages from it.  Although sick almost a year, she was a patient 
sufferer.  She was much in prayer as one who waiteth for her Lord.

- - - - - - -

We wish to thank the neighbors for their kindness during the sickness and death of our 
beloved mother, also the singers.

The Children