Federal WALKER - 1795-1 Sep 1877

Girardeau, MO

(I am sending along this MO obituary and associated articles for the records. Federal Walker was the son of John Walker, b probably NC abt 1753/54, died Girardeau, MO 1815 and Mary Webb Farriss Walker, ? died abt 1837, Howard Co., MO.)

The Howard County Advertiser, Thursday, September 6, 1877, pg. 3: "Death of Federal Walker. Federal WALKER, one of the oldest citizens of Howard County, died at his residence in Montineau township on Saturday last, September 1st, aged about 81 years. Mr. WALKER was among the early settlers of this state, coming here from Kentucky in 1810. He located in this county near where he died about the year 1815. He raised a large family of children who survive him as useful and honorable citizens. No man ever lived who was more beloved as a neighbor and citizen. No man has ever died that leaves more warm friends to mourn their departure. His remains were followed to their last resting place by a very large concourse of citizens on Sunday afternoon."

Also on page 3, same issue under the White's Store community/town news column is this: "Our old veteran and fellow citizen Mr. Federal WALKER was laid away in the Ashland Cemetery last Sunday. Mr. Walker was too well known for a local correspondent to do justice to his memory. Suffice it to say that we, of this community, have lost a valuable citizen. Peace to his ashes."

Page 3, same issue, under no column heading was this note: "Letters testamentary were granted John WALKER and Wm. SMITH, Tuesday, by the Clerk in vacation, on the estate of the late Federal WALKER."

Then, the Advertiser reprinted Federal's obit from the Columbia Herald.

The Howard County Advertiser, Thursday, October 4, 1877, pg. 2: "In Memoriam. (Columbia Herald) At his home in Howard County, Missouri September 1, 1877, Federal WALKER, in the 82d year of age. Deceased was born near Nashville, Tennessee, his parents, John and Mary WALKER returning when he was quite a child to Warren County, Kentucky, and afterwards to New Madrid, Missouri, where they remained until the great earthquakes of 1811, when they returned to Kentucky, Federal WALKER was married to Sarah DUNN, and they removed in 1822 - fifty-five years ago to the home on which he died. Eight children were born to them - all, except one, George W., who died nearly four years ago, are now living and six of them were with him in his last hours. Federal Walker's life was spent upon the farm on which he died, but during his fifty-five years residence of Howard County he established for himself a character and name, which is the proudest heritage that could be left to his children. For sterling integrity, purity of purpose and liberality of opinion no man deservedly ranked higher. His views upon all subjects were clear, decisive and intelligent, and his expression of them outspoken and fearless. In politics he was a Whig in early life.

During the war his whole heart was with the rebellion and it is said of him that he was at one time arrested by Merrill's Horse, and taken to Fayette and ordered to take the oath. He refused stoutly and irrevocably. It being manifest to the authorities that his health was too feeble to endure prison life he was released. In literature, as in all things else he was eminently practical. He was profoundly interested in the practical achievements of the science, the progress of civilization, and in those portions of history, which contained lessons of instruction in the failure or successes they recounted. He was a great reader and not only was remarkable [their spelling not mine - probably should have been "remarkably" well versed in all literature past and present but kept thouroughly [sic] posted in the events of the preseent [sic] time. A friend referring to his life truthfully says that 'by diligent reading and study he attained that place, which few men occupy who have passed through the best college of the land.' Socially he was one of the most genial and attractive of men, adapting himself to every circle and by his extraordinary conversational powers engaging the attention and conducing to the pleasure of all. No where did his great powers of mind and his wide and varied stock of information in literature, politics, science &c., &c., [that must mean etc., etc.,??] appear as in social life.

No one who knew him well in life could escape the conviction that he was a far more than ordinary man. Thus has passed away a good and honored citizen, a man useful in his day and generation, and one whose name and character will be added to that bright list of honored pioneers, whose genius, energy, patriotism and extraordinary intellectual capabilities will ever render Howard County famous in the annals of Missouri. He was buried at Ashland Church, Howard County cemetery [their spelling, not mine] on Sunday, Sept. 2d, 1877 and his remains were borne to their last resting place by Gerrard Robinson, Gen. John B. Clark, James Smith, Samuel Major and George McCullough, all old friends and compatriots. It was a solemn scene - these old men, their hairs whitened with age and their feet tottering upon the shores of time, lowering to his grave a beloved and life long friend and associate, from whom they cannot expect to be separated but a brief period.

The immense concourse at the grave was addressed in a most impressive manner by Judge John HILTON, for whom the deceased cherished a profound admiration and friendship, and who was hence very fittingly chosen to pay these last sad rites to his departed friend."

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1877

At the administrator's sale of the late Federal WALKER, deceased, property brought very fair prices, especially cattle and hogs.

Wife of the above Federal Walker:

Columbia Missouri Statesman, August 14,1868:

"Deaths- August 5th, after a long and painful illness, Mrs. SARAH, wife of Federal Walker, of Howard county, aged 68 years".

The following obituary is for the son of Federal Walker and Sarah Dunn:

"The Advertiser; Fayette, Howard Co., Missouri," Thursday, January 23, 1879, "Mr. Robert Walker, of whom I spoke in a former article as being sick at Judge W. M. Jackson's, his father-in-law, died on Wednesday of last week.

Mr. Walker was born and raised in this county. He was a son of the late Federal Walker and brother of Hon. John Walker, as was 45 years old. (Note see the January 30 issue for a correction of his age.) He served in the Mexican war, having just attained his majority when he enlisted. He was in a command known as "Doniphan's Expedition." He was also a soldier in the war of the rebellion, on the Southern side. As a soldier he came out of these wars with laurels around his brow, brave and true. He was sent several times as representative to Richmond from the trans-Mississippi department and was always faithful in the discharge of his duties. He returned battle scarred and worn, and with his wife, whom he had married previous to the late war, moved to Brown county, Texas. When he arrived there he found only two other families. Here (Lower Montineau] he remained until Christmas, just passed, when he returned and in a few days sickened and died. He leaves a wife and daughter, relatives and friends to mourn his loss. He was buried beside his father and mother at Ashland, Elder Tennison preaching his funeral."