Harrison Township (part 2 of 2)

EDWARD M. WALKER, deceased; the oldest of the Walker brothers, was born in Maryland Feb. 26, 1815 ; his parents came to Darke Co. when he was 15 years of age; settled first in Butler Township and afterward in Harrison, on the farm Edward afterward owned, and where he and his father and mother all died, and his widow now resides ; his father's death occurred Jan. 5, 1840, and he then took charge of the farm and managed the business affairs of the family. May 29, 1844. he was married to Isabella C. Miller, after which they took charge of the house, and his mother and younger brothers and sisters lived with them. His mother's death occurred Nov. 26, 1857. Edward M. and Isabella C. Walker were the parents of eight children - Joseph C, born June 29, 1845; died Nov. 24, 1860 : Margaret, born, Sept. 4, 1847, married to A. Gr. Trace, Dec. 26, 1872, died Sept.' 17, 1873 ; Hannah R., born Nov. 30, 1849, died April 20, 1874 , Nancy J., born Feb. 12, 1852 ; Daniel, born March 26, 1854, died Sept. 28, 1855 ; John B. W., born July 1, 1856, died Nov. 25, 1860 ; Thos. M. born Dec. 26, 1858, and Isabella C, born June 17, 1861. Mrs. Walker died June 26, 1861. Jan. 4, 1866, Mr. Walker was married to Miss Margaret Cameron, also a native of Maryland, born March 4, 1 831 ; she alwa}'s lived in Baltimore previous to her marriage but visited friends in Darke Co. at different times, and became acquainted with Mr. Walker and married him. The}7 had a son, born March 17, 1867. Mr. Walker was a stirring, energetic man, and, in connection with his brothers, Christopher and Daniel, dealt quite extensively in hogs, shipping many thousands to the Eastern markets during the war period. In politics, he was a lifelong Democrat, and a man of considerable political influence ; was twice elected to represent his county in the State Legislature. When the war broke out, he took an active part in raising volunteers. In 1870, the old home was burned, and in the following 3rear he built a handsome residence on the old site, where his widow and surviving children now reside. His death occurred Dec. 2, 1879. Mrs. Walker is an intelligent, social lady, and feels deeply the loss of her lamented husband.

DANIEL WALKER, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 33 ; P. 0. Wiley Station ; was born in Baltimore Co., Md., Nov. 20, 1817 ; son of Christopher and Hannah Walker, who came to Darke Co., settling first in Butler Township and afterward in Harrison, where their decease occurred - his in 1840, and hers in 1857. The subject of this sketch remained at home until 1842, when he was married to Miss Nancy, daughter of Elam and Mary Purviance; she was born in Preble Co. Dec. 4, 1818 ; they first settled in Preble Co., and after twelve years' residence sold out and purchased and removed to the farm on which they now reside. Mr. Walker has made and lost a large amount of money during his residence here, having dealt quite extensively, for several seasons, in hogs. He now owns 160 acres in Sec. 34 ; also one tract of 50 acres, and one of 57, in Preble Co., besides the home place, which consists of 257 acres of excellent land, finely improved, his house and yard being a model for neatness and beauty. He is also a stockholder of the Farmers' National Bank of Greenville.

CHRISTOPHER C. WALKER, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 23 ; P. 0. New Madison. Of the successful farmers of Harrison Township. Mr. C. C. Walker is probably the most extensive stock-raiser ; he makes a specialty of fine cattle and Poland-China hogs ; he was born in Baltimore County, Md., Aug. 23, 1829, and brought to Darke County by his parents, Christopher and Hannah (Marshall) Walker ; they first settled in Butler Township ; he l-emained at home until after he became 21 years of age, receiving sueh an education as an attendance of two to three months in the year at the common schools of that day would afford ; in 1851, he entered as equal partner in a store at Braff'ettsville, and soon afterward his brother Daniel purchased the other hall', and they continued the business together about seven years. Jan. 27, 1854. he was united in marriage with Miss Mary C, daughter of Thomas C. and Nancy Brawley, natives of Virginia and pioneers of Darke County ; Miss Mary was boi-n in Harrison Township Oct. 20, 1834 ; they first kept house in Braffettsville ; in 1858, Mr. Walker became dissatisfied with his store experience, sold out the store, and they removed to a farm near Braffettsville ; in 1862, he purchased and they removed to the farm upon which the}r now reside ; from 1862 to 1866, he was engaged with his brothers Edwin and Daniel in buying and shipping hogs, but the decline in price caused them to lose heavily, and they abandoned it, and he has since devoted himself to farming and raising stock, the latter being a specialty ; during the last year, he has erected a fine barn, 60x48 feet, with an L 54x40 feet, the whole conveniently arranged for the accommodation of stock ; this barn needs only to be seen to be appreciated ; it is the best the writer ever saw on a farm. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are the parents of nine children, viz. : Nellie, born April 29, 1855 ; Lon C, Feb. 27, 1857 ; Minnie, Oct. 28, 1858 ; Douglas, May 21, 1860 ; Thomas O, Jan. 20, 1862, died Aug. 7, 1862 ; Harry G., born June 29, 1863 ; Nancy, April 17, 1865 ; a daughter born Dec. 15 and died Dec. 29, 1867 ; and Mary, born Dec. 6, 1868. Their family, with two exceptions are grown to manhood and womanhood, and are still under the paternal roof. Mr. Walker now owns 75 acres in Preble County and 150 in Harrison Township, besides the home farm of 400 acres ; his residence is situated on an eminence bordering the beautiful little valley of East Fork, a branch of the Whitewater River ; this branch runs through a portion of the farm and aifords excellent and abundant water for his stock. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are sociable, agreeable people, and highly respectable citizens.

MBS. JANE WHITE, proprietress of hotel ; P. O. Hollandsburg ; was born near Hollandsburg March 6, 1832 ; is the daughter of James Stewart, who is now a resident of Wayne Co., Ind ; her mother's death occurred when Jane was but 14 years of age ; has always been a resident of Darke Co. Was married to Benjamin S. Tillson Sept. 16, 1849 ; his decease occurred March 6, 1864 ; they were the parents of two children, viz. : Rebecca A., born March 6, 1851, now living with her mother, and Laura A., born March 26, 1853, married to J. R. Hill Nov. 2, 1872, and died Sept. 24, 1875. Mrs. Tillson was married to John White June 10, 1866 ; his death occurred March 8, 1870, in the same residence in which Mr. Tillson's death occurred six years previous. They had one child, viz. : Vandalia, born Aug. 12, 1867 ; now resides with his mother. Mrs. White remained at the old homestead until December 1873, when she purchased a residence in and removed to Hollandsburg, where she engaged in millinery a short time ; afterward converted her residence into a hotel, which she is now conducting with reasonable success. Mrs. White is a very intelligent lady and possesses considerable business ability.

JAMES M. WILLIAMS, M. D., physician, Hollandsburg, Ohio. Among the successful physicians of Harrison Township is Dr. Williams. He was born in Virginia Dec. 11, 1842 ; was brought to Montgomery Co., Ohio, by his parents in the year 1847, and grew to manhood there, receiving a good commonschool education ; when 18 years of age, he began teaching, and soon after to read medicine ; afterward attended lectures and graduated at the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati May 21, 1869, and immediately began practice ; he first practiced in Palestine, German Township; in January, 1871, he removed to Hollandsburg, where he has since continued the practice of his profession. Dr. Williams is entitled to the appellation of a self-made man, haviug earned by teaching the means to secure his medical education ; he started in practice with nothing but his knowledge, skill and industry to rely upon, and has persevered under difficulties until he now has a very satisfactory and constantly growing practice. His marriage with Harriet E. Renner, of Preble Co.. was solemnized March 3, 1864 ; she was born in Preble Co. Sept. 3, 1846. They are the parents of five children, four of whom

ECKHART WORCH, merchant tailor, New Madison ; one of the old, reliable, substantial business men of New Madison ; was born in Schlierbach, Germany, in 1821 ; came to America in 1842 ; landing at New York, he started West by boat ; when about eleven miles from Columbus, Ohio, his money being exhausted, he was compelled to leave the boat ; he made his way the best he could to Dayton, where his genial ways and perseverance soon won friends and secured employment ; after a stay of about twelve years in Dayton, during which he had acquired a knowledge of business, and also become able to transact business in either English, German or Hebrew, and acquired a reputation for industry and integrity, which he has never lost, and which has been of great service to him during the years in which he has been engaged in business, he came to New Madison in 1853 ; began the merchant tailoring business in 1854, and has continued in it ever since, having a growing and profitable trade ; he now has a good stock of clothing and gents' furnishing goods, notions, etc., and is still an active, wide-awake business man ; he was prominent in organizing the Reformed Church here, and is still an active supporter of the Gospel. A review of his life is not out of place here : Starting in this country a "raw Dutchman" without experience, money or friends ; in twelve years, he had gained such a knowledge of language and business, and such a reputation for industry and integrity, that a well-known firm in Cincinnati offered without solicitation to sell him any amount of goods he needed, and allow him to pay for them when sold. The letter in which this offer was made was written in German, and has been preserved by him, and he now feels a just pride in showing it to friends. From this start, secured by his active and persevering efforts while in the employ of others, he has gradually risen to a prominent business man, at the same time developing a character as a merchant and Christian citizen which is as creditable as it is honorable ; he now occupies the corner which was owned and occupied by that most excellent pioneer citizen, Ernestus Putman, the founder, and in its early day, the fosterer of New Madison. Mr. Worch has been twice married. His marriage with Petronella Frederick was celebrated in Dayton, July 1, 1846 ; she was also a native of Germany, born in Dittlesheim, Canton of Worms, in 1824 ; her death occurred in New Madison, in 1874 ; she was a consistent Christian woman, a kind mother and an affectionate wife ; they had seven sons, four are now living, viz. : Franklin H., now a resident of Cincinnati ; Charles D., a telegraph operator ; Lewis A., now learning the trade of jeweler in Richmond, Ind., and Philip F., who assists his father in the store. The marriage of Mr. Worch and Mrs. Sarah (Wagner) Bowman, was celebrated Jan. 22, 1880 ; she is the daughter of William Wagner, of German Township, and was married to Jacob Bowman, whose death occurred in 1873.

MICHAEL ZEECK, blacksmith and edged-tool manufacturer, New Madison. One of the old residents of Harrison Township ; he is the son of Adam and Mary (Shaffer) Zeeck, natives of Virginia ; his grandfathers, on both the father's and mother's side, came from Germany, and were soldiers in the Revolution ; the subject of this sketch was born in Wayne Co., Ind., Feb. 22, 1814 ; during his minority he learned the blacksmith's trade of his father, who made a specialty of edge-tool manufacturing; in 1835, he came to New Madison, opened a shop, and has lived here ever since ; by industry and economy, he has succeeded in accumulating considerable property. He was married Oct. 25, 1838, to Fanny, daughter of John and Jane (IJ.dlard) Beard, who were early settlers of Butler Township ; she was born Oct. 2, 1822 ; her death occurred in 1879, after a severe and protracted illness, dining which her husband devoted almost his entire time to her care and in attention to her wants; Mr. and Mrs. Zeeck were the parents of eight children, six of whom are living, viz., Mary J., Rebecca B., Sarah P., George A., Abigail L. and John A.; the names of the deceased are Catherine E. and Nancy A. Mr. Zeeck has taken quite an interest in the public affairs of his county, and has been somewhat prominent ; he has served as Commissioner two terms, and held town or township offices, either one or both, almost constantly since he first became a citizen of New Madison, in 1835 ; was one of the petitioners for the incorporation of the town, and afterward served in nearly every one of the different town offices.