John WALKER was born in Ireland about 1813. His parents are unknown. He was married to Dorothy HILLIS in Ireland where their first four children were born. John and Dorothy apparently came to the United States between 1842 and 1850. He was in Pitt Twp, Alleghany Co., PA in 1860 before moving to the Brown Co., IL area. He bought land in Missouri Twp. of Brown Co. in 1865 and court records indicate that he lived on that land in Section 2 for over 20 years. He appears in the 1865 census of that area as a male age 50-60, has wife age 40-50, 2 males age 0-10, 3 males and 1 female age 10-20 and 4 males ages 20-30.Dorothy died 21 Mar 1880. After she died John became quite concerned about who would take care of him as he grew older. In 1881 he made an agreement with James Walker of Washington Co., PA to come and take care of him and in return John would deed him his land. After James traveled to IL with his family, John backed out of the deal and sold his land to his son, David, instead. After several court battles, the land apprently ended up with back with John because in 1886 he made the same deal with his son Robert. Again he reneged on the deal and even though Robert was taking care of him, he tried to give his land to two granddaughters who were about 11 at the time. The courts this time ruled in Robert's favor.
John died in Missouri Twp., IL on 16 Aug 1891. It is not known where John is buried.Dorothy ia buried in Morrison Cemetery.
There are 9 known children of John and Dorothy.
- Alexander WALKER b. ca 1836 in Ireland.
- James W. WALKER b. ca Feb 1839 in Ireland. He married Rebeka _______ in PA about 1860. Died 28 Feb 1900 in Mt. Sterling and is buried in Mt. Sterling Cemetery.
- Samuel WALKER b. ca 1840 in Ireland.
- David WALKER b. ca 1842/3 in Ireland. Married Jane CARR about 1862 in Brown Co., IL. d. after 1884 when he appeared in court records of Brown Co., IL
- John WALKER b. ca 1850 in PA.
- Charles WALKER b. 24 Aug 1851/2, in PA. He married 1) Elizabeth MADDOX 15 May 1872 in Brown Co., IL. She died in 1883 and he married 2) Belle (OATMAN) SCOTT in Dec of 1885. Charles died 16 Apr 1921 and is buried in McClelland/Linn Cemetery, Missouri Twp., Brown Co., IL.
- Andrew WALKER b. ca 1854 in PA.
- Jane WALKER b. ca 1855 in PA. Married John CONN? about 1876.
- Robert WALKER b. ca 1857 in Pittsburgh, PA. He married Rosa A. CURRY on 23 May 1886. He died 16 May 1929 and is buried in the Lynn Cemetery in Camden Twp., Schuyler Co.
Any information on John and Dorothy or other children would be welcomed.