In the history of the agricultural development of Miami county it is necessary that Mr. Walker be mentioned, for he has contributed in no small degree to the promotion of the farming interests of this locality. He was born in Spring Creek township, four miles northeast of Piqua, on the 24th of October, 1837, his parents being John and Margaret (Ferree) Walker. They were both natives of Adams county, Pennsylvania, and were married in that locality. In 1830 they came to Ohio and spent one year near Cincinnati, but in 1831 located in Spring Creek township, Miami county. The father was a blacksmith and conducted a small country shop. He died in 1839, when his son John was only two years old, leaving eight children to the care of his widow. When our subject was a lad of nine summers, the mother removed with her children to Elizabeth township, which continued to be the family home for a number of years. She managed to keep her children with her and thus carefully guided and reared them, preparing them for life's practical duties. Her son John was the last to leave home. She died on the old homestead in 1883, at the age of eighty-six years. Of her family three are still living. The eldest had died in childhood, Margaret at the age of nine years and Nancy at the age of seventeen years. The others were Jemima, who became the wife of Miller Fuson, and died when about thirty years of age; Howard, who died at the age of forty-six; Josiah, a mechanic residing in Troy; Nathaniel, who died at the age of twenty-one; John E.; and Jane Ann, wife of John R. Stratton, of Lost Creek township.

John E. Walker remained with his mother and early began work on the farm, so that he soon gained a practical knowledge of agriculture. He was married December 1, 1864, to Miss Hulda M. Stratton, who was born in Lost Creek township, where J. R. Stratton now resides, her parents being Orrange and Isabella (Long )Stratton. After their marriage her father and mother located near Cincinnati, and in 1831 came to Lost Creek township, Miami county, where the father was obliged to cut away the timber in order to have space enough to build a log cabin. To the development and cultivation of his farm he devoted his remaining days, and both he and his wife passed away when about seventy-five years of age. He was born December 15, 1800, and died November 1, 1875, while his wife was born April 3, 1804, and died April 5, 1879. They had lived together for fifty-two years, celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary September 29, 1874, by a family reunion. They had eleven children, most of whom reached maturity, but Willie died at the age of four years; Elizabeth J. at the age of eight years, and Jasper died when eleven years of age. The others were Milton L., who died at the age of forty-seven years; David F., who died at the age of forty-three years; John R., who is living on the old homestead; James H., a carpenter of Marion, Indiana; DeWitt Clinton, a farmer in Pawnee City, Nebraska; Mrs. Hulda M. Walker; Sarah D., who became the wife of Josiah N. Wiley, and died at the age of twenty-six years; and Martha H., who has resided with her sister since her mother's death. Samantha Stratton, a sister of Orange Stratton, passed the last seven years of her life with Mrs. Walker, dying December 6, 1899. Winfield Scott Stratton, a son of Miron Stratton, who was a brother of Orange Stratton, is a first cousin of Mrs. Walker. He is the well-known mining king at Cripple Creek, Colorado, reared at Jeffersonville, Indiana. Some four years ago he sent four thousand dollars to provide a home for his aunt. This was at a very opportune time and was used to clear off a mortgage on the Walker homestead. His aunt had cared for him in his infancy, but he had lost track of her and when informed of her condition he at once sent the money, and his kindness was certainly appreciated by the family.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Walker remained for some time in Elizabeth township, but came to their present farm in 1888. It was the old homestead of Thomas Rosseter, who had resided thereon for sixty-three years, his heirs selling the property to Mr. Walker, who here owns one hundred and twenty acres of rich and arable land. He has remodeled and improved both the house and barn, and has made other substantial improvements, having now a valuable property which has been acquired through his own efforts. He devoted his attention to general farming and to raising hogs, feeding part of his crops to his stock.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Walker have been born three children who are living, and they lost one in infancy. William Riley, the eldest, is a farmer, of Elizabeth township, residing near the old homestead. He was Ruth Beatrice and Thomas Corwin. The Doctor holds membership in Christiansburg Lodge, I. O. O. F., and in New Carlisle Lodge, A. F. & A. M., while his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. He possesses energy and laudable ambition--qualities which are essential to a successful career, and in a profession where advancement depends alone upon individual merit he is rapidly pushing his way to the front.