My Genealogy Hound

ISAAC J. WALKER, a prosperous agriculturist of Cortland County, is one of the most popular men of the town of Solon. His years have been spent in this section, and the prosperity which he has attained has been derived from a life well and worthily lived. Mr. Walker is of pioneer stock, being a son of Samuel Walker, and grandson of Isaac Walker.

The latter gentleman in company with his brother, Jacob, entered New York State in very early times, coming from the State of Connecticut. They came into Montgomery County, and literally hewed their way into the virgin forest, cutting a roadway for three miles through the densest of timber growth before they came to the place where their claim had been located. Finding their land all covered with forest growth, they cleared a space, built a log house, and began getting their land in shape for cultivation. Later on as they prospered in their worldly affairs a frame house was put up, and things put on the aspect of civilization. Isaac had married in his native state, and was the father of two children at the time of his entry into the new country. His wife was Patience Bell, and she bore to him a family of six children, named: Ann (Bingham); Margaret (Oudkirk); Lourena (Fero); Minerva (Bush); Isaac, Jr.; and Samuel. The father passed away at the age of sixty, dying from the effects of an injury received from a runaway team.

Samuel, the youngest son, and the father of our subject, was born in the Montgomery home in 1803. There he received his early training and lived until he was seventeen years of age, when he left home to learn the tanner’s trade at Schenectady. After serving his apprenticeship, he went to Danby, N. Y., and managed a tannery, and also a boot and shoe store. While a resident of that town he married Sally Biers, but she was permitted to accompany him but a few years on the road of life. He spent five years in Danby, and then returned to his old home, which he bought from the other heirs, and there resided for fifteen years, following general agriculture. There he also married for his second wife Lucy Rice, a daughter of Joshua and Maria Rice of Herkimer County, N. Y. In 1849 he sold the home place, and moved to the town of Milford, Otsego County, where he resided eight years. He then came to Solon, this county, and purchased a ninety-five acre farm, on which in process of time he built a new house, in which his life ended in 1876. His faithful wife, however, still lives at the advanced age of ninety. Their children numbered six, and were: Isaac J., our subject; Richard W.; Patience (Atkins); Margaret (Atkins); Minerva, who died at the age of seventeen; and Andrew, who only lived to be fourteen years old. Samuel Walker was a very active and influential man in his time. He was a captain in the State militia, and was a Whig and later a Republican in politics. His family was reared to reverence and love the M. E. Church.

Isaac J. Walker was born in Montgomery County, October 24, 1839, and was consequently a young man of eighteen years when the family came to Solon. His father trained him to the occupation of a farmer, a vocation he followed until the war broke out. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. C., 157th Reg., N. Y. Vol. Inf., and went to the front. With his regiment in the Army of the Potomac, he saw all the hard realities of grim war, and experienced all the trying ordeals to which the boys in blue were subjected. He went through it all with dauntless spirit, and in 1865 was mustered out with his regiment, the war having been brought to a successful close. Coming home, Mr. Walker at once returned to the quiet ways of the home farm, and became his father’s helper and right-hand man. Later, as age laid its heavy hand on the father’s head, the son took full charge of the estate, and at the same time faithfully cared for his parents, anticipating their every want. After his father’s death, Mr. Walker came into possession of the home place, which he now conducts, and where he also resides. His mother lives with him.

Mr. Walker’s matrimonial alliance was with Lucinda Pierce of Cooperstown, N. Y.; she is a daughter of Isaac Pierce, a native of Vermont, and an own cousin of Franklin Pierce. They have reared a family that is an honor to them. The children are: Helen S.; Charles W., a graduate of the Syracuse University, and now pastor of the M. E. Church of Dryden, N. Y.; George S., who is at the present writing the superintendent of the News Boys’ Home at Pittsburg, Pa.; K. Moss, a teacher; and Thomas Isaac. Mr. Walker in social and fraternal circles is well known. He is a member of the W. H. Tarbel Post, No. 3, G. A. R., and was its first commander, serving for three years. He is also a member of the McGrawville Lodge, No. 310, I. O. O. F. and of the McGrawville Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. Politically, his sympathies and influence have ever been with the Republican party. He has been justice of sessions in the county court, and was sent as a delegate to the State Republican Convention. His town he has served as supervisor for three consecutive terms, and is now a justice of the peace. In the Methodist Church he has been a class leader for twenty two years, and superintendent of the Sunday School for fourteen years. He is also president of the board of trustees of the church. It is hardly necessary to here record many encomiums on the life and character of Mr. Walker, for his sterling worth of character, his upright Christian manhood, and his steady reliability as a citizen are too well known to need any reference to them here.