The Placer Argus
Oct 18,1873

SUDDEN DEMISE
On last Wednesday morning, Gov. Joseph Walkup left his home in Auburn and repaired to the Herald office in his usual health. About nine o'clock AM, he arose from the chair in which he had been sitting and requested his partner, Mr. Filcher, to help him to the door and at the same time remarked, "This is the last." Before reaching the door, he became helpless and unconscious, and was placed on a lounge. Medical attendance was immediately procured and all the assistance rendered him that was possible, but without effect. In less than an hour and a half from the time he was taken, he breathed his last. This is the third stroke of paralysis that Gov. Walkup has had within the past eighteen months. His remains were interred in Odd Fellows Cemetery on Friday last. In another column will be found a brief history of his life; we are under obligations to Judge Hale and Tabb Mitchell for the data from which we obtain the same.


DEATH OF GOVERNOR WALKUP
It is with feeling of sorrow and grief that we announce the death of Gov. Joseph Walkup which took place at 11 o'clock AM on Wednesday last. Deceased was a native of Miami County, Ohio, and was born on the 25th of December, 1819. During the earlier years of his life, he followed the business of ship and house carpenter, working at his trade in Ohio and New Orleans. In the spring of 1849, he crossed the plains, arriving in California in the month of August of that year and first settled in Auburn and engaged in the mercantile business in company with S. B. Wyman. In 1851, the firm of Walkup & Wyman engaged very extensively in the business of farming and stock-raising near the present site of the town of Lincoln, and while so engaged raised the first crop of wheat in Placer County. During his residence in California, he has three several times visited his former home in the States, in 1854, 1861, and 1865, and during his second visit he was married in Sidney, Shelby County, Ohio, to Miss Elizabeth Eliott, by whom he has had two children, one of whom is now living, a daughter aged about nine years. Upon his return to California in 1862, he located in Auburn and has continued to reside here since that time. Since January 11, 1868, he has been editor and proprietor of the Placer Herald, and at the hour of his death was in the active discharge of the duties of that position. Gov. Walkup was elected as State Senator from this county in 1852 and served the full term and was again elected to the same position in 1856, and at the end of the first session resigned the office. In 1857, he was elected Lieutenant Governor of the State, under the administration of John B. Weller as Governor, holding that position for the then term of two years. During his incumbency of the office of Lieutenant-Governor, he was the presiding officer of the State Senate and Warden of the State Prison. His administration of the wardenship of the State Prison was at a time when the affairs of that institution were in a very unsatisfactory and confused condition; but by his foresight, judicious management, and untiring energy, he succeeded in placing that department of State Government in good working order.As a public officer, Joseph Walkup leaves behind him a name of which no one need be ashamed, but on the contrary, might well feel proud. As President of the Senate, he gained the esteem and good-will of his political opponents as well as the praise of his political friends by the impartiality of his rulings and the courteous and gentlemanly manner in which he presided over that body. The following comments on the character of Gov. Walkup as a journalist and private citizen we clip from the Grass Valley Union as being more expressive and couched in better terms than anything we could write, and with the sentiments therein expressed we heartily concur:As a journalist, Governor Walkup was always strong. He said what he believed and he said it with great force. He wielded a battle-ax rather than a rapier; he cut through the armor of an opponent rather than to find a joint by skillful swordsmanship. He was not an adept as a rhetorician, but he used words as if they were things that had weight. Of course, he was assailed and while being assailed was not slow to give as well as take. His career as a journalist was as positive and as honest as any part of his useful life.In his personal relation, he was also positive and always reliable. His word in business matters was as good as his bond and was always kept in the letter as in the spirit. As a friend, no one ever had a better one than Joseph Walkup, and as an enemy he was positive and outspoken, requiring much to make him change an opinion. There was nothing negative in his composition, whether as a friend or foe. He was a most kind husband and father and leaves a widow to mourn an irreparable loss.At a time like the present we look upon the death of Governor Walkup as a public loss. He was one of those true men who should have died long hereafter. We deeply sympathize with his bereaved family, and we feel the poverty of words with which to express that sympathy. We share the sorrow that his many friends feel at the death of this noble man.

Joseph Walkup was one of the Commissioners in organizing Placer Co. Served in the California State Senate from 1852 to 1857: was Lieut. Gov. of California from 1857 to 1859. Seven years previous to his death was editor of the Democratic Placer Herald. All of which positions he filled with honor to the State and a proud distinction for himself.
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1864
Placer Herald
"In Auburn, February 23d, the wife of Hon. Joseph Walkup, of a daughter."

Jeanette E. Walkup was her name - married Wyman
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Placer Herald
Sept 4, 1869
Placer Herald now published by Jos. Walkup.
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great-granddaughter: Jeannette Forsyth-Grey
brother: Rankin Walkup
niece: Uretta Q. Lytle Shackleton
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Aged: 53 years, 9 month and 20 days
Married
Editor of Placer Herald