Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1899-11-16
Death OF Hon. William Walker.

For some months past the subject
of this sketch had been in poor
health, only a few weeks of the time,
however, was he confined to his bed,
having been able to go about his
home and to his farm, looking after
his large interests both on his stock
farm and mercantile business in
Extra, as we'll. His quiet manner of
life led his most intimate friends to
be unsuspecting of the real charac-
ter of the dread disease that was
slowly but surely tightening it's
grasp upon his mortal life. His
unusual strength, for one of his
years, enabled him to make a strong
many weeks before his death he |
made trip to Chicago to see what |
help he might be able to receive
there, but no assurance being given
he returned to Extra. His disease
was cancer of the stomach, and on
The morning of November 18th"
his mortal life went out and the
spirit went up to God who gave it. |
William Walker was born in
Huron county, Ohio, on March 9,
1884. He was of a family OF ten
children, and though nearly sixty
six years old, was the first to break
the circle. His father was of Eng
fish stock; his grandfather having
been soldier under Lord Cornwall
lis. His mother was native of
Ireland, thus combining in him
those traits of character that go to
in men. He moved with his parents
when quite young to the State of
Michigan where he grew to man
hood on farm, and learned the
lessons by which he was guided in
life OF usefulness sand success.
When he reached his majority, rea
liZing that only they who strive
would win, he determined to try his
fortunes in the west, and so in 1855
he settled in Audubon county, Iowa,
then wild prairie. He took his
first two hundred acres of land from
the government at one dollar and
twenty-five cents per acre, which he
improved and kept as his home till
he went to the home beyond. But
his business ability was manifest,
for at the time of his death he own
ed about two thousand acres of land
besides the fine farms he i.,.
already given his children as they
had pushed out into the world for
themselves, and also his large lner-
camille interests in Extra.
Three years after his settlement
i'll Iowa he was united to Nancy I.
Bowen in bonds of matrimony. TO
them were born nine children, five
sons and four daughters, who are
still living and all were present at
the funeral.
William Walker was an honest
and Conscientious citizen and chris
tian His integrity was never ques-
toned, and his neighbors sought
his counsel in business affairs. He
was called upon to adninistrate
some of the largest estates ever set
tied in the county. His neighb0rs,
who were not so fortunate as he,
were not turned away when they
came to him for help. He was an
active, energetic man in society and
and always ready to help any good
work calculated to make society and
community better. Hewas for more
than twenty years an active member
of the Masonic fraternity. When
young man he was member of the
! Methodist church, but at the time
Of his death was member of the
Congregational church, here in
in Extra. Twice had he been
elected to represent his county in
h the State Legislature. His high
f standing in the community was
+ seen in the fact that his election
I took place at time when the polit,
ical complexion was against that OF
4 his own.
In talk with his pastor, about
two weeks before his death, he said
he did not know that he would re
cover, but he was not disturbed al
all, as his peace with his Master
was made. He had wrought vel
and was ready to receive the wages
due faithful service and true faith
The funeral was held on Thursday
afternoon, November 8, 1899 Til.
sermon was preached at the Con
gregational church, in Extra, by
u his pastor, Rev. H. L. Wissler, afte
which the members of EXodu:
: Lodge, No. 342, A. F. and A. NJ. tool
a. charge of the service and gave TIN
n. usual Masonic service, assisted b,
a. the members Of Godfry Comma II DR.,
Walker was also a member, and b,
. them the body was laid to rest ii
the Extra Cemetery, there to avail
N the call of the last trumpet.
al The following resolutions wer
y passed by Exodus Lodge, No. 342, A
81 F. and A. NJ. at special meetin,
* held in it's room at Extra, Iowa OF
y November 8, A. D., 1899:
81 WHEREAS, 1t has pleased tn
RI Supreme Grand Master of the un
y verse to remove from this Earthl
So Lodge to the Grand Lodge on hig
ri our worthy and highly esteeme
y brother, William Walker, an honor
81 ed and respected member of tn
N fraternity, worthy member of thi
~ Hodge, an earnest advocate of tn
ISL principles of Free Masonry, a
a active and enterprising man, a kin
y hearted friend and brother; Their
81 fore belt
q ResoIred, That while we al
~ called upon to mourn the loss
ISL brother who has been associate
ES with us for upwards oftwenty yeal
~ in fraternal bonds; yet we hoI
ISL that what has been so great a los
E to us may be to him eternal gail
~ and while we cherish his memoi
M here on earth, we commend h.
ri spirit to God who gave it, contidin.