Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-13

entire sermon, not forgetting to fill in the ges-
lures at the proper places, only with more
emphasis than did the parson His father
pressed his regret at whipping the boy when
he knew more than his parents did of text and
sermon, but the boy responded. Father, can
tell you now how many IafterS there are In the
old church and how many birds too The father
never whipped him again."
He emigrated to Florida and assisted in de-
veloping that State in its earliest efforts, and
died in lola. in November. 1889 He left a
daughter named Florida, who married and
moved to Texas. At the time OF his death the
citizens of the town of lola passed resolutions
Of respect and esteem.
JONATHAN THOMAS WALKER, eldest SON
Of Nathan by the second marriage and
father of Maj. Samuel H. Walker was born at
the Maryland homestead "Toaping Castle"
August T. 1911, and in 1929 came to Washington
where he met and married Jane Amelia Benson
on October Is. 1888. He and his wife were both
devout MethodiSts, and he. especially was in
strumental in organizing McKendree M. z.
Church of this city OF this Maj. Walker says:
Near the close of May. 1914, the Rev. French
8. Evans, having been duly authorized by the
presiding elder, Rev. Thomas B. Sargent Of the
Potomac district, inaugurated a home mission
Tor such localities in the city as were destitute
appointment for preaching at 3: 80 pm. at the
Northern Liberties Fire Companys Hall two
story brick building which stood in the center
OF Eighth street in the space now improved and
known Mount Vernon Park For some
reason this hall was not available, and the
assemblage by invitation of Jonathan T. Walker
moved northward beyond the park on Eighth
street. where from the carpenters bench Mr.
Evans delivered his message with decided effect
AT the conclusion Of the service Jonathan T.
Walker obligated himself to build a suitable
frame building for Sunday school and mission
purposes. and for the present needs he rendered
the use OF his carpenter shop situated at the
rear OF his dwelling which cornered at Eighth
and K streets northwest. The offer was CRATE
fully accepted and every Saturday afternoon
the shop was swept and seats provided Of rough
inch boards empty boxes.
The Sunday school was organized June T.
1914 by the election Of John c. Hardness as
superintendent. Foundry and Wesley Chapel
furnished the teachers From the school thus
weakly started Jonathan T. Walker, John C.
Hardness and zephaniah Jones' without further
1ormality, agreed, without pomp or public
notice, to build a church, and with a courage
amounting almost to temerity they determined.
and McKendree M. E Church, on Massachusetts,
avenue between Ninth and Tenth streets north
west, is the outcome"
After the close of the Mexican War he tried
his fortunes in California. but did not succeed.
and returned to Washington, engaged in the
lumber business in the block between B street
and what used to be called Little B street, Tenth
and Twelfth streets, the site now occupied by
the Bureau of Internal Revenue The little
Office faced north and stood on the southwest
corner and Tenth and Little streets which
formed the north thoroughfare of the old
haymarket block, the passing of which is recent
history.
During the days when the District had its own
mayor and City Council Jonathan T. Walker
served a member OF the Common Council dur
ing the years 1854. 1855 and 1856. At the
beginning of the Civil War he took I'D his
residence at "Toapng Castle" and later bought
the farm known Pleasant Prospect" IN
Prince Georges County. Md, and retired from
business and it was at his county seat that he
later celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his
wedding of which The Star Of November Is.
1883 said, in part:
There a notable gathering today at
Pleasant Prospect. Prince Georges County. Md,
the handsome country place of Mr.. Jonathan T.
Walker, who for many years was one of the
leading citizens Of the District The occasion
was the celebration Of the golden wedding Of
Mr.. and Mrs. Walker. and it brought together
several hundred of the relatives and friends of
the venerable couple, who both still hale
and healthy.
Gov. Bowie was present and over one hun
dred families in Prince Georges County were
represented. Among those from Washington
were Mr.. Zeph Jones. the Cohens. Bealls Scots
SpedoenS 4oSts JackSonS and SeuherleS
Thomas J. Turner and DR.. Spangler Of Balti-
more. There were present, including the hus-
bands and wives of their children. over so chill
dren and grandchildren, and from them the
venerable couple received a gift of a handsome
service Of silver There were also gold and
silver presents from other relatives and friends
Probably the gift most highly priced was cane
made from the old log housekeeping Castle
erected by Mr.. Walkers grandfather and his
brothers at the head Of Bear Garden Branch
shortly after they arrived here Misses Martha