Sergeant Co. A, 1st California Mountaineers
Jesse Walker was the son of John Hugh Walker and Sybbell Fruit. He was still living outside Clinton, DeWitt County, Illinois, with his parents in 1850 (1850 US Census). By 1860 Jesse was living at Mattole (Petrolia), Humboldt County, California, with his older brother, Benjamin Franklin Walker (1860 US Census). During the Civil War Jesse enlisted as a sergeant at Eureka, Humboldt County, April 18, 1863, and was mustered into Company A, 1st Battalion, California Mountaineers. Sergeant Walker was mustered out at Fort Humboldt, Humboldt County, April 25, 1865 (Orton, 832). After the war Jesse remained in Humboldt County where he appeared as a registered voter for several years (1866/-67/-80/-88/-92/-96 Humboldt Great Registers). Jesse married Amelia "Millie" E. Babcock (Aug. 1838, NY-Nov. 20, 1906, CA) at Eureka August 19, 1868, and they appear as residents at Mattole (Petrolia) in the 1870, 1880, and 1900 US Census. He was a member of Eureka's Colonel Whipple Post, Grand Army of the Republic. Jesse filed for a Civil War veteran's pension at Eureka September 28, 1904, and received application No. 1,325,296 and certificate No. 1,097,916. He re-filed for his veteran's pension September 14, 1907. Amelia died at Mattole (Petrolia) November 20, 1906. Jesse appears as a widower living at Mattole (Petrolia) with his niece, Sybil Jane Walker in the 1910 US Census. Jesse died at Petrolia January 17 and was buried in the Ferndale Cemetery January 20, 1917. Jesse and Millie did not have any children.
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DIED.
Jesse Walker, a native of Illinois, age 79. Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend the funeral to be held Saturday afternoon, January 20th, at 2PM from the Ferndale church. Interment at Ferndale Cemetery.
(Unknown Newspaper, Jan. 19, 1917)
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JESSE WALKER.—Fifty-seven years ago Jesse Walker settled at his present location, the Sunset View ranch, about four and one-half miles northwest of Petrolia, in Humboldt county, and a glimpse of his beautiful "mountain home by the sea" is sufficient to explain why he has remained there. However, the attractions of an ideal home have not been the only influences to hold him, for he has become one of the large land owners of his locality and for years has been extensively interested in stock-raising. His early days were filled with the typical adventures of those who braved the journey across the plains and life in the then primitive region along the Pacific coast, and his mature years have been blessed with the abundance which is the reward of his labors. More than that, he has the warm personal friendship of hundreds of his fellow citizens in Humboldt county and well deserves the regard which they show for him.
The Walkers are probably of Scotch ancestry. John Walker, father of Jesse Walker, was born in North Carolina, whence he removed with his parents to Kentucky in boyhood, remaining in the latter state until after his marriage. By occupation he was a farmer, and he became a breeder of fine horses and familiar with stock-raising, gaining experience which qualified him for his later years in the west. From Kentucky he removed to Illinois, becoming an early settler in Dewitt County. In the early fifties he sold out his interests there and brought his family out over the plains, the little party having its own train, two wagons drawn by eight oxen each, one two-horse wagon and one four-mule wagon. It was four months to a day from the time they left Clinton until they halted in the upper end of the Willamette valley, settling in the mountainous wilderness of Umpqua, Ore. This was in 1853, and after about four years in that region Mr. Walker moved farther down, into Humboldt County, Cal., buying a farm at Hydesville. We have the following account of his six children: (1) James, the eldest son, died in Illinois, leaving one son, Isam, now a resident of Eureka and interested in ranching in Humboldt county. As his mother died before his father, Isam Walker accompanied his grandparents to Oregon. (2) William Pinckney died at Hydesville. (3) John lived in Eureka, where he died. (4) Benjamin F. went to Oregon, where he became a sheep rancher, and died there. He married a Miss Reed, and left three children: Abraham Lincoln, who is proprietor of a meat market at Hydesville; Sybil, who keeps house for her uncle, Jesse Walker; Benjamin F., a farmer in Santa Cruz county; (5) Martha was married in Illinois to Moses Kenna, and died there leaving one daughter, Laura, now Mrs. Joseph Bowles, residing in Kansas; and (6) Jesse, the youngest, completes the family.
Jesse Walker was born May 22, 1838, in Dewitt County, Ill., near Clinton, and was fourteen years old when the family set out for the Pacific coast region. He rode a horse and drove the cattle. His schooling was all received before he came west, and indeed had there been schools accessible he could hardly have attended, as his father needed him to help with the work. Eureka had a good school, but by the time the family moved to this section he was fairly launched in his life work, being about nineteen. In 1858 he came to his home on the Capetown road, four and a half miles north of Petrolia, taking a squatter's right on one hundred and sixty acres, which he still owns. Later he took up an adjoining one hundred and sixty under the homestead act, proved up on that property and still owns it. The remainder of his twenty-two hundred acres has been acquired by purchase, from time to time, as opportunity offered and his means permitted. Of this Mr. Walker cultivates about twenty-five acres, the rest being in native grass and valuable pasture land for his herds. On an average he has two hundred fifty head of stock, usually marketing one hundred steers and heifers annually; he has two thoroughbred Durham bulls. For his own use Mr. Walker raises some horses, but his attention is given principally to his cattle. He employs one man, looking after much of the work himself, for though past threescore and ten he is active and able-bodied. Business has claimed all his time practically and public honors have not appealed to him, his interest in such affairs being limited to supporting good men for office.
During the Civil war, in 1863, Mr. Walker enlisted in Company A, First Battalion, Mountaineers of California, being mustered into service in Eureka, and served two years, his chief duties being to guard the white settlers against the Indians in Humboldt, Trinity and Klamath counties. He was in several skirmishes with the Indians. By virtue of this service he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to Colonel Whipple Post, G. A. R., at Eureka. Politically he has been a consistent member of the Republican party.
In the year 1868 Mr. Walker was married to Miss Mille E. Babcock, who was born in New York state, of Connecticut parentage, and grew up in her native place. She came to Humboldt county where she married Mr. Walker. She died here in 1907 [sic, 1906]. He still continues to occupy the beautiful farm residence which he erected twelve years ago and which is ideally located in the mountains, overlooking the Pacific ocean, giving it the name "Sunset View Ranch," the situation being chosen for its romantic charm and wholesome natural surroundings. Modern comforts supplement the other attractions, the house being provided with all the conveniences which up-to-date architecture employs so well, and the home and its environs suggest taste and appreciation of the fine art of living. Mr. Walker's niece, Miss Sybil Walker, has kept house for him for some time, providing the cheer of a true home atmosphere by her agreeable presence and thought for his comfort.
(Irvine, Leigh H. History of Humboldt County California: Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1915; 462-464)
Biography by Steve
Jesse Walker was the son of John Hugh Walker and Sybbell Fruit. He was still living outside Clinton, DeWitt County, Illinois, with his parents in 1850 (1850 US Census). By 1860 Jesse was living at Mattole (Petrolia), Humboldt County, California, with his older brother, Benjamin Franklin Walker (1860 US Census). During the Civil War Jesse enlisted as a sergeant at Eureka, Humboldt County, April 18, 1863, and was mustered into Company A, 1st Battalion, California Mountaineers. Sergeant Walker was mustered out at Fort Humboldt, Humboldt County, April 25, 1865 (Orton, 832). After the war Jesse remained in Humboldt County where he appeared as a registered voter for several years (1866/-67/-80/-88/-92/-96 Humboldt Great Registers). Jesse married Amelia "Millie" E. Babcock (Aug. 1838, NY-Nov. 20, 1906, CA) at Eureka August 19, 1868, and they appear as residents at Mattole (Petrolia) in the 1870, 1880, and 1900 US Census. He was a member of Eureka's Colonel Whipple Post, Grand Army of the Republic. Jesse filed for a Civil War veteran's pension at Eureka September 28, 1904, and received application No. 1,325,296 and certificate No. 1,097,916. He re-filed for his veteran's pension September 14, 1907. Amelia died at Mattole (Petrolia) November 20, 1906. Jesse appears as a widower living at Mattole (Petrolia) with his niece, Sybil Jane Walker in the 1910 US Census. Jesse died at Petrolia January 17 and was buried in the Ferndale Cemetery January 20, 1917. Jesse and Millie did not have any children.
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DIED.
Jesse Walker, a native of Illinois, age 79. Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend the funeral to be held Saturday afternoon, January 20th, at 2PM from the Ferndale church. Interment at Ferndale Cemetery.
(Unknown Newspaper, Jan. 19, 1917)
---
JESSE WALKER.—Fifty-seven years ago Jesse Walker settled at his present location, the Sunset View ranch, about four and one-half miles northwest of Petrolia, in Humboldt county, and a glimpse of his beautiful "mountain home by the sea" is sufficient to explain why he has remained there. However, the attractions of an ideal home have not been the only influences to hold him, for he has become one of the large land owners of his locality and for years has been extensively interested in stock-raising. His early days were filled with the typical adventures of those who braved the journey across the plains and life in the then primitive region along the Pacific coast, and his mature years have been blessed with the abundance which is the reward of his labors. More than that, he has the warm personal friendship of hundreds of his fellow citizens in Humboldt county and well deserves the regard which they show for him.
The Walkers are probably of Scotch ancestry. John Walker, father of Jesse Walker, was born in North Carolina, whence he removed with his parents to Kentucky in boyhood, remaining in the latter state until after his marriage. By occupation he was a farmer, and he became a breeder of fine horses and familiar with stock-raising, gaining experience which qualified him for his later years in the west. From Kentucky he removed to Illinois, becoming an early settler in Dewitt County. In the early fifties he sold out his interests there and brought his family out over the plains, the little party having its own train, two wagons drawn by eight oxen each, one two-horse wagon and one four-mule wagon. It was four months to a day from the time they left Clinton until they halted in the upper end of the Willamette valley, settling in the mountainous wilderness of Umpqua, Ore. This was in 1853, and after about four years in that region Mr. Walker moved farther down, into Humboldt County, Cal., buying a farm at Hydesville. We have the following account of his six children: (1) James, the eldest son, died in Illinois, leaving one son, Isam, now a resident of Eureka and interested in ranching in Humboldt county. As his mother died before his father, Isam Walker accompanied his grandparents to Oregon. (2) William Pinckney died at Hydesville. (3) John lived in Eureka, where he died. (4) Benjamin F. went to Oregon, where he became a sheep rancher, and died there. He married a Miss Reed, and left three children: Abraham Lincoln, who is proprietor of a meat market at Hydesville; Sybil, who keeps house for her uncle, Jesse Walker; Benjamin F., a farmer in Santa Cruz county; (5) Martha was married in Illinois to Moses Kenna, and died there leaving one daughter, Laura, now Mrs. Joseph Bowles, residing in Kansas; and (6) Jesse, the youngest, completes the family.
Jesse Walker was born May 22, 1838, in Dewitt County, Ill., near Clinton, and was fourteen years old when the family set out for the Pacific coast region. He rode a horse and drove the cattle. His schooling was all received before he came west, and indeed had there been schools accessible he could hardly have attended, as his father needed him to help with the work. Eureka had a good school, but by the time the family moved to this section he was fairly launched in his life work, being about nineteen. In 1858 he came to his home on the Capetown road, four and a half miles north of Petrolia, taking a squatter's right on one hundred and sixty acres, which he still owns. Later he took up an adjoining one hundred and sixty under the homestead act, proved up on that property and still owns it. The remainder of his twenty-two hundred acres has been acquired by purchase, from time to time, as opportunity offered and his means permitted. Of this Mr. Walker cultivates about twenty-five acres, the rest being in native grass and valuable pasture land for his herds. On an average he has two hundred fifty head of stock, usually marketing one hundred steers and heifers annually; he has two thoroughbred Durham bulls. For his own use Mr. Walker raises some horses, but his attention is given principally to his cattle. He employs one man, looking after much of the work himself, for though past threescore and ten he is active and able-bodied. Business has claimed all his time practically and public honors have not appealed to him, his interest in such affairs being limited to supporting good men for office.
During the Civil war, in 1863, Mr. Walker enlisted in Company A, First Battalion, Mountaineers of California, being mustered into service in Eureka, and served two years, his chief duties being to guard the white settlers against the Indians in Humboldt, Trinity and Klamath counties. He was in several skirmishes with the Indians. By virtue of this service he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to Colonel Whipple Post, G. A. R., at Eureka. Politically he has been a consistent member of the Republican party.
In the year 1868 Mr. Walker was married to Miss Mille E. Babcock, who was born in New York state, of Connecticut parentage, and grew up in her native place. She came to Humboldt county where she married Mr. Walker. She died here in 1907 [sic, 1906]. He still continues to occupy the beautiful farm residence which he erected twelve years ago and which is ideally located in the mountains, overlooking the Pacific ocean, giving it the name "Sunset View Ranch," the situation being chosen for its romantic charm and wholesome natural surroundings. Modern comforts supplement the other attractions, the house being provided with all the conveniences which up-to-date architecture employs so well, and the home and its environs suggest taste and appreciation of the fine art of living. Mr. Walker's niece, Miss Sybil Walker, has kept house for him for some time, providing the cheer of a true home atmosphere by her agreeable presence and thought for his comfort.
(Irvine, Leigh H. History of Humboldt County California: Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1915; 462-464)
Biography by Steve
Sergeant Co. A, 1st California Mountaineers
Jesse Walker was the son of John Hugh Walker and Sybbell Fruit. He was still living outside Clinton, DeWitt County, Illinois, with his parents in 1850 (1850 US Census). By 1860 Jesse was living at Mattole (Petrolia), Humboldt County, California, with his older brother, Benjamin Franklin Walker (1860 US Census). During the Civil War Jesse enlisted as a sergeant at Eureka, Humboldt County, April 18, 1863, and was mustered into Company A, 1st Battalion, California Mountaineers. Sergeant Walker was mustered out at Fort Humboldt, Humboldt County, April 25, 1865 (Orton, 832). After the war Jesse remained in Humboldt County where he appeared as a registered voter for several years (1866/-67/-80/-88/-92/-96 Humboldt Great Registers). Jesse married Amelia "Millie" E. Babcock (Aug. 1838, NY-Nov. 20, 1906, CA) at Eureka August 19, 1868, and they appear as residents at Mattole (Petrolia) in the 1870, 1880, and 1900 US Census. He was a member of Eureka's Colonel Whipple Post, Grand Army of the Republic. Jesse filed for a Civil War veteran's pension at Eureka September 28, 1904, and received application No. 1,325,296 and certificate No. 1,097,916. He re-filed for his veteran's pension September 14, 1907. Amelia died at Mattole (Petrolia) November 20, 1906. Jesse appears as a widower living at Mattole (Petrolia) with his niece, Sybil Jane Walker in the 1910 US Census. Jesse died at Petrolia January 17 and was buried in the Ferndale Cemetery January 20, 1917. Jesse and Millie did not have any children.
---
DIED.
Jesse Walker, a native of Illinois, age 79. Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend the funeral to be held Saturday afternoon, January 20th, at 2PM from the Ferndale church. Interment at Ferndale Cemetery.
(Unknown Newspaper, Jan. 19, 1917)
---
JESSE WALKER.—Fifty-seven years ago Jesse Walker settled at his present location, the Sunset View ranch, about four and one-half miles northwest of Petrolia, in Humboldt county, and a glimpse of his beautiful "mountain home by the sea" is sufficient to explain why he has remained there. However, the attractions of an ideal home have not been the only influences to hold him, for he has become one of the large land owners of his locality and for years has been extensively interested in stock-raising. His early days were filled with the typical adventures of those who braved the journey across the plains and life in the then primitive region along the Pacific coast, and his mature years have been blessed with the abundance which is the reward of his labors. More than that, he has the warm personal friendship of hundreds of his fellow citizens in Humboldt county and well deserves the regard which they show for him.
The Walkers are probably of Scotch ancestry. John Walker, father of Jesse Walker, was born in North Carolina, whence he removed with his parents to Kentucky in boyhood, remaining in the latter state until after his marriage. By occupation he was a farmer, and he became a breeder of fine horses and familiar with stock-raising, gaining experience which qualified him for his later years in the west. From Kentucky he removed to Illinois, becoming an early settler in Dewitt County. In the early fifties he sold out his interests there and brought his family out over the plains, the little party having its own train, two wagons drawn by eight oxen each, one two-horse wagon and one four-mule wagon. It was four months to a day from the time they left Clinton until they halted in the upper end of the Willamette valley, settling in the mountainous wilderness of Umpqua, Ore. This was in 1853, and after about four years in that region Mr. Walker moved farther down, into Humboldt County, Cal., buying a farm at Hydesville. We have the following account of his six children: (1) James, the eldest son, died in Illinois, leaving one son, Isam, now a resident of Eureka and interested in ranching in Humboldt county. As his mother died before his father, Isam Walker accompanied his grandparents to Oregon. (2) William Pinckney died at Hydesville. (3) John lived in Eureka, where he died. (4) Benjamin F. went to Oregon, where he became a sheep rancher, and died there. He married a Miss Reed, and left three children: Abraham Lincoln, who is proprietor of a meat market at Hydesville; Sybil, who keeps house for her uncle, Jesse Walker; Benjamin F., a farmer in Santa Cruz county; (5) Martha was married in Illinois to Moses Kenna, and died there leaving one daughter, Laura, now Mrs. Joseph Bowles, residing in Kansas; and (6) Jesse, the youngest, completes the family.
Jesse Walker was born May 22, 1838, in Dewitt County, Ill., near Clinton, and was fourteen years old when the family set out for the Pacific coast region. He rode a horse and drove the cattle. His schooling was all received before he came west, and indeed had there been schools accessible he could hardly have attended, as his father needed him to help with the work. Eureka had a good school, but by the time the family moved to this section he was fairly launched in his life work, being about nineteen. In 1858 he came to his home on the Capetown road, four and a half miles north of Petrolia, taking a squatter's right on one hundred and sixty acres, which he still owns. Later he took up an adjoining one hundred and sixty under the homestead act, proved up on that property and still owns it. The remainder of his twenty-two hundred acres has been acquired by purchase, from time to time, as opportunity offered and his means permitted. Of this Mr. Walker cultivates about twenty-five acres, the rest being in native grass and valuable pasture land for his herds. On an average he has two hundred fifty head of stock, usually marketing one hundred steers and heifers annually; he has two thoroughbred Durham bulls. For his own use Mr. Walker raises some horses, but his attention is given principally to his cattle. He employs one man, looking after much of the work himself, for though past threescore and ten he is active and able-bodied. Business has claimed all his time practically and public honors have not appealed to him, his interest in such affairs being limited to supporting good men for office.
During the Civil war, in 1863, Mr. Walker enlisted in Company A, First Battalion, Mountaineers of California, being mustered into service in Eureka, and served two years, his chief duties being to guard the white settlers against the Indians in Humboldt, Trinity and Klamath counties. He was in several skirmishes with the Indians. By virtue of this service he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to Colonel Whipple Post, G. A. R., at Eureka. Politically he has been a consistent member of the Republican party.
In the year 1868 Mr. Walker was married to Miss Mille E. Babcock, who was born in New York state, of Connecticut parentage, and grew up in her native place. She came to Humboldt county where she married Mr. Walker. She died here in 1907 [sic, 1906]. He still continues to occupy the beautiful farm residence which he erected twelve years ago and which is ideally located in the mountains, overlooking the Pacific ocean, giving it the name "Sunset View Ranch," the situation being chosen for its romantic charm and wholesome natural surroundings. Modern comforts supplement the other attractions, the house being provided with all the conveniences which up-to-date architecture employs so well, and the home and its environs suggest taste and appreciation of the fine art of living. Mr. Walker's niece, Miss Sybil Walker, has kept house for him for some time, providing the cheer of a true home atmosphere by her agreeable presence and thought for his comfort.
(Irvine, Leigh H. History of Humboldt County California: Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1915; 462-464)
Biography by Steve
Jesse Walker was the son of John Hugh Walker and Sybbell Fruit. He was still living outside Clinton, DeWitt County, Illinois, with his parents in 1850 (1850 US Census). By 1860 Jesse was living at Mattole (Petrolia), Humboldt County, California, with his older brother, Benjamin Franklin Walker (1860 US Census). During the Civil War Jesse enlisted as a sergeant at Eureka, Humboldt County, April 18, 1863, and was mustered into Company A, 1st Battalion, California Mountaineers. Sergeant Walker was mustered out at Fort Humboldt, Humboldt County, April 25, 1865 (Orton, 832). After the war Jesse remained in Humboldt County where he appeared as a registered voter for several years (1866/-67/-80/-88/-92/-96 Humboldt Great Registers). Jesse married Amelia "Millie" E. Babcock (Aug. 1838, NY-Nov. 20, 1906, CA) at Eureka August 19, 1868, and they appear as residents at Mattole (Petrolia) in the 1870, 1880, and 1900 US Census. He was a member of Eureka's Colonel Whipple Post, Grand Army of the Republic. Jesse filed for a Civil War veteran's pension at Eureka September 28, 1904, and received application No. 1,325,296 and certificate No. 1,097,916. He re-filed for his veteran's pension September 14, 1907. Amelia died at Mattole (Petrolia) November 20, 1906. Jesse appears as a widower living at Mattole (Petrolia) with his niece, Sybil Jane Walker in the 1910 US Census. Jesse died at Petrolia January 17 and was buried in the Ferndale Cemetery January 20, 1917. Jesse and Millie did not have any children.
---
DIED.
Jesse Walker, a native of Illinois, age 79. Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend the funeral to be held Saturday afternoon, January 20th, at 2PM from the Ferndale church. Interment at Ferndale Cemetery.
(Unknown Newspaper, Jan. 19, 1917)
---
JESSE WALKER.—Fifty-seven years ago Jesse Walker settled at his present location, the Sunset View ranch, about four and one-half miles northwest of Petrolia, in Humboldt county, and a glimpse of his beautiful "mountain home by the sea" is sufficient to explain why he has remained there. However, the attractions of an ideal home have not been the only influences to hold him, for he has become one of the large land owners of his locality and for years has been extensively interested in stock-raising. His early days were filled with the typical adventures of those who braved the journey across the plains and life in the then primitive region along the Pacific coast, and his mature years have been blessed with the abundance which is the reward of his labors. More than that, he has the warm personal friendship of hundreds of his fellow citizens in Humboldt county and well deserves the regard which they show for him.
The Walkers are probably of Scotch ancestry. John Walker, father of Jesse Walker, was born in North Carolina, whence he removed with his parents to Kentucky in boyhood, remaining in the latter state until after his marriage. By occupation he was a farmer, and he became a breeder of fine horses and familiar with stock-raising, gaining experience which qualified him for his later years in the west. From Kentucky he removed to Illinois, becoming an early settler in Dewitt County. In the early fifties he sold out his interests there and brought his family out over the plains, the little party having its own train, two wagons drawn by eight oxen each, one two-horse wagon and one four-mule wagon. It was four months to a day from the time they left Clinton until they halted in the upper end of the Willamette valley, settling in the mountainous wilderness of Umpqua, Ore. This was in 1853, and after about four years in that region Mr. Walker moved farther down, into Humboldt County, Cal., buying a farm at Hydesville. We have the following account of his six children: (1) James, the eldest son, died in Illinois, leaving one son, Isam, now a resident of Eureka and interested in ranching in Humboldt county. As his mother died before his father, Isam Walker accompanied his grandparents to Oregon. (2) William Pinckney died at Hydesville. (3) John lived in Eureka, where he died. (4) Benjamin F. went to Oregon, where he became a sheep rancher, and died there. He married a Miss Reed, and left three children: Abraham Lincoln, who is proprietor of a meat market at Hydesville; Sybil, who keeps house for her uncle, Jesse Walker; Benjamin F., a farmer in Santa Cruz county; (5) Martha was married in Illinois to Moses Kenna, and died there leaving one daughter, Laura, now Mrs. Joseph Bowles, residing in Kansas; and (6) Jesse, the youngest, completes the family.
Jesse Walker was born May 22, 1838, in Dewitt County, Ill., near Clinton, and was fourteen years old when the family set out for the Pacific coast region. He rode a horse and drove the cattle. His schooling was all received before he came west, and indeed had there been schools accessible he could hardly have attended, as his father needed him to help with the work. Eureka had a good school, but by the time the family moved to this section he was fairly launched in his life work, being about nineteen. In 1858 he came to his home on the Capetown road, four and a half miles north of Petrolia, taking a squatter's right on one hundred and sixty acres, which he still owns. Later he took up an adjoining one hundred and sixty under the homestead act, proved up on that property and still owns it. The remainder of his twenty-two hundred acres has been acquired by purchase, from time to time, as opportunity offered and his means permitted. Of this Mr. Walker cultivates about twenty-five acres, the rest being in native grass and valuable pasture land for his herds. On an average he has two hundred fifty head of stock, usually marketing one hundred steers and heifers annually; he has two thoroughbred Durham bulls. For his own use Mr. Walker raises some horses, but his attention is given principally to his cattle. He employs one man, looking after much of the work himself, for though past threescore and ten he is active and able-bodied. Business has claimed all his time practically and public honors have not appealed to him, his interest in such affairs being limited to supporting good men for office.
During the Civil war, in 1863, Mr. Walker enlisted in Company A, First Battalion, Mountaineers of California, being mustered into service in Eureka, and served two years, his chief duties being to guard the white settlers against the Indians in Humboldt, Trinity and Klamath counties. He was in several skirmishes with the Indians. By virtue of this service he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to Colonel Whipple Post, G. A. R., at Eureka. Politically he has been a consistent member of the Republican party.
In the year 1868 Mr. Walker was married to Miss Mille E. Babcock, who was born in New York state, of Connecticut parentage, and grew up in her native place. She came to Humboldt county where she married Mr. Walker. She died here in 1907 [sic, 1906]. He still continues to occupy the beautiful farm residence which he erected twelve years ago and which is ideally located in the mountains, overlooking the Pacific ocean, giving it the name "Sunset View Ranch," the situation being chosen for its romantic charm and wholesome natural surroundings. Modern comforts supplement the other attractions, the house being provided with all the conveniences which up-to-date architecture employs so well, and the home and its environs suggest taste and appreciation of the fine art of living. Mr. Walker's niece, Miss Sybil Walker, has kept house for him for some time, providing the cheer of a true home atmosphere by her agreeable presence and thought for his comfort.
(Irvine, Leigh H. History of Humboldt County California: Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1915; 462-464)
Biography by Steve
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