Arcenith F. Walker

ARCENITH F. WALKER, one of the prominent retired farmers of Neosho township, Cherokee County, who owns a well improved farm of 80 acres in section 12, township 34, range 22, was born in Madison County, Illinois, January 11, 1845, and is a son of Elijah and, Charity (Dove) Walker.

The father of our subject was a farmer in Illinois for a number of years. During the gold excitement in California, in 1850, he made the overland trip to the mining regions, but never returned, his death taking place there when our subject was six years old. The mother of Arcenith F. Walker was born in Virginia, went then to Tennessee and from there to Illinois, and her death took place at Columbus, Kansas, when in her 74th year. The children of Elijah and Charity (Dove) Walker were: Mrs. Mary Morrisey, of Illinois; Cleopatra, of California; John, of Wichita, Kansas; Arcenith F., of this sketch; Mrs. Lucetta Burke, of Columbus; and Mrs. Zanetta Ellsworth, of Columbus.

Mr. Walker remained on the home farm in Illinois until he was 16 years of age and then enlisted for service in the Civil War, one of the youngest soldiers to offer his loyal services to his country at that unhappy time. He entered Company K, 10th Reg., Illinois Vol. Inf., under Col. James D. Morgan, served three years and received an honorable discharge on August 24, 1864. He participated in many severe battles and served in the Atlanta campaign and in the Army of the Cumberland under General Thomas.

After his return from the army, Mr. Walker resumed farming in Madison County, Illinois, and after a short residence in Missouri and Michigan, came in 1867 to Cherokee County, Kansas, driving the whole distance. Here he secured 160 acres of wild land on which he erected a box house 12 by 14 feet in dimensions and lived there until he had broken 50 acres, when he sold the property to advantage and removed to his present farm in Neosho township. As there was no house here, the family camped out until one was built. Mr. Walker worked very hard on this place, which shows the results in its good improvements, fine cultivation and general air of comfort and thrift. With his own hands he set out the beautiful walnut grove and made all the other improvements which converted it into a comfortable home. This property he now rents, having retired from active farming operations.

On November 15, 1864, Mr. Walker was married to Lucinda A. Legrand, who was born in St. Clair County, Illinois, June 19, 1847, and they had nine children: John, of Lyon township; Mrs. Jennie Newton, deceased; Edward, of Lola township; William, of Lyon township; Stephen L., an attorney at Columbus, who is represented in this volume; Daniel A., a dentist at McCune, Crawford County; Frederick A., an attorney at Weir City; Richard, a student in the County High School; and Myrtle, who died at the age of one and a half years.

Politically Mr. Walker is a Republican. He is a valued member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is one of the men of whom their fellow citizens speak with respect and esteem. While his life in this section has been one of much toil, he has accumulated a competency which permits him, while little past middle life, to enjoy its fruits.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by Justin Metcalf, student from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, 1-13-1997.