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BIOGRAPHIES
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Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record of Marion and
Hardin Counties, Ohio
Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent
and Representative Citizens of the Counties
Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents
of the United States
Published: Chicago: Chapman Publishing Co.
1895
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GEN. MOSES B. WALKER,
LL.D. There are few of the residents
of Ohio who are unfamiliar with the name introducing this
sketch. It is that of a gentleman who, alike upon the
field of battle and in civic affairs, has ably represented his
fellow-citizens, and has ably represented his fellow-citizens,
and has championed with sword and pen the cause of truth and
justice. Though now in the twilight of life and a constant
sufferer from wounds received in active conflict, his mental
powers have undergone no diminution, but his intellect is as
keen as in the days gone by.
The "hero of Chickamauga" was born in Fairfield County,
Ohio, July 16, 1819. John Walker, the
original progenitor of the family in America, came hither from
England with Lord Baltimore, and settled in what
subsequently became Carroll Manor, in Maryland. The
General's grandfather, Ignatius Walker, was killed in the
battle of Eutaw Springs, during the Revolutionary War. He
was an intimate friend of the illustrious Charles Carroll,
of Carrollton. As early as 1798 John Walker, our
subject's father, came to Ohio and settled near Chillicothe, in
the Scioto Valley, where he aided in erecting the famous
block-house for the protection of the settlers from the attacks
of the Indians. In the War of 1812 he served as a soldier
with the commission of Lieutenant. During his early years
he adhered to the Catholic Church, which was the faith of his
forefathers, but later he left the Roman Church and joined the
Methodist Church, in which he was afterward an active worker.
Removing to Iowa in 1842, John Walker
located large tracts of land on the Des Moines River, in Van
Buren County, where he died about 1850. He was a man of
more than ordinary education and possessed wonderful will power.
He was a perfect specimen of physical manhood, being six feet in
height, and with a military bearing, due in part to his service
in the War of 1812. His wife, Mary Davis,
was an aunt of the now famous Henry Winter Davis.
Her ancestors were early settlers of Maryland, and her father, a
Revolutionary soldier, died from the effects of wounds received
in the battle of Eutaw Springs. From her French ancestors
she inherited the versatility characteristic of that nation.
In many respects she was a remarkable woman, and through careful
study gained a thorough knowledge of medicine and surgery (which
was more unusual in those days than at present). This
knowledge rendered her presence and counsel invaluable among the
pioneer residents of her locality. She was a devout
Christian, a faithful wife and loving mother. Her death
occurred in Iowa about 1857.
General Walker was the youngest of five
sons and next to the youngest of nine children. His
brother, Rev. George W. Walker, for many years one of the
most prominent Methodist ministers of Ohio, was a preacher in
that church for thirty-three years, until his death in 1856.
His memoirs were published by a friend some years ago and were
extensively sold. John D., a farmer and local
preacher, died at Chariton, Iowa, at eighty-three years of age.
Zachariah, who lived in Iowa, was a successful farmer and
stockman of that state, and was at one time a member of the
Legislature, but is now deceased. Peter, who was a
skillful physician, was surgeon in the Fifteenth Iowa Infantry
during the Civil War and lost his life in his country’s cause,
dying soon after the battle of Arkansas Post.
Prior to the age of sixteen years our subject resided
on his father’s farm, meantime attending the neighboring
schools. When seventeen years of age he entered the
freshman class of Augusta College, in Kentucky, being allowed to
enter that class upon condition that he should bring the studies
in which he was deficient up to the standard, and in this he was
successful; but in accomplishing it he impaired his health, so
that after two years he was obliged to relinquish his college
studies for a time. After regaining his health and through
the assistance of his brother, Rev. G. W., who took upon
himself the responsibility of giving him an education, he
entered the Woodward Preparatory School of Cincinnati. Two
years later he became a student in Yale College, where he spent
three years. Unfortunately, close confinement to his books
caused him to again lose his health, and he was obliged to
abandon study for a time.
As soon as able to resume work, our subject entered, as
a law student, the office of Judge William A. Rodgers, of
Springfield, Ohio, where he remained one year. His studies
were continued in the office of Judge Joseph H. Crane, of
Dayton, after which he attended lectures at the Cincinnati Law
School, graduating in the Class of ’45. He then formed a
partnership with H. V. R. Lord, opening a law office in
Dayton and another in Germantown, 'with himself in charge of the
former and Mr. Lord of the latter.
From the time of entering the legal profession, our
subject was closely identified with public affairs. He
also took an active part in military matters, and at the
breaking out of the Mexican War held the commission of Major of
Cavalry in the state troops. This he resigned to raise a
company of infantry, but before the organization was completed
an order came to accept no more troops. Therefore, while
standing ready, he saw no active service in that war. He
continued his
law practice in partnership with Mr. Lord until
the death of. the latter, when he associated with himself
Judge G. B. Holt, an eminent lawyer, who for twenty-one
years was on the Bench. The firm name then became
Walker, Holt & Walker, the junior member being a son of his
brother John.
At the opening of the Civil War Mr. Walker
promptly tendered his services, and was commissioned Captain of
the Twelfth Infantry in the regular army. Through the
influence of his friend, Salmon P. Chase, and by
Governor Dennison, he was appointed Colonel of the
Thirty-first Ohio Infantry, at the first call for three hundred
thousand volunteers, and was assigned to the Army of the
Cumberland under General Thomas. He first
distinguished himself at the battle of Perryville. His
well known ability and his high standing in Ohio caused
General Rosecrans to send him to Ohio to recruit and
organize troops, which at that time was a more dangerous
position than facing rebel guns on the battlefield. It was
an open secret that in parts of Ohio the rebel feeling was quite
as strong as in the South, but Colonel Walker, who
had never been known to shirk a duty, and who knew no such word
as “fear,” did not hesitate to carry out the request of his
superior officer. In many places he was well received, but
in the hotbeds of secession in this state he was hooted and
jeered at, and was more than once shot at. His stirring
speeches caused intense excitement, and finally he prepared an
address to the citizens of Ohio, which was printed and sent
broadcast over the state. In this he did not merely ask
that the citizens stand by the Union and the flag of their
forefathers, but he demanded that they do so. After the
first demonstration of disapproval, the good effects of this
circular were seen. His campaign was a most successful one
and received favorable comment from the press throughout the
country.
After accomplishing this great task Colonel Walker
returned to the front in time to command his regiment at the
battle of Stone River, where he bore a gallant and honorable
part as commander of the First Brigade of the Third Division,
Fourteenth Army Corps. At the battle of Chickamauga he
received a severe wound, but kept his saddle, and with the blood
flowing from his wound he commanded his brigade. During a
speech in Ohio at the time of the Garfield campaign,
Gen. James B. Stedman, who had been given the name of “Old
Chickamauga,” publicly stated that General Walker
was the real hero of Chickamauga. The latter, the morning
after the battle, was publicly commended by the commanding
officer for his daring and conspicuous bravery. The
officers of General Thomas’ corps met on the night
of the 21st of September, after the battle, and passed
resolutions to have a gold medal struck, to weigh not less than
$50, and to be engraved with suitable emblems and devices —
this, to be presented to General Walker for his
bravery and gallantry.
The commission of Brigadier-General was given our
subject March 27, 1865, and on a sword presented to him by the
officers of the Thirty-first are inscribed the names of the
battles in which he led them. They are Corinth,
Perryville, Stone River, Hoover’s Gap, Chickamauga, Rock Face
Ridge, Resaca, Dalton, Big Shanty, Lookout Mountain, Kenesaw
Mountain, Chattahoochie River, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta,
Jonesboro and Nashville. Upon being mustered out of the
volunteer service he entered the regular army and served until
May 19, 1866, when, on account of his wounds, he was placed on
the retired list with $281 per month retired pay for life.
On returning North, General Walker
engaged in the practice of law in Findlay, Ohio, but in 1868 he
was sent by the Government to Texas to assist in the
reconstruction of that state. After serving for a time in
a military capacity, he was appointed to a seat on the District
Bench, and later to the Supreme Bench of Texas, on which he
served until the state was reconstructed. He then came
back to Ohio, selected Kenton as his future home, and commenced
the practice of law with his son Willis. In 1879 he
retired from the profession, since which time he has made his
home on his farm in the suburbs of the city. Of late years
he has suffered much from the wounds received during the war,
one of the balls that he still carries in his limb giving him
much pain.
General Walker has been twice married.
His first wife was Maria C. Van Skoick, a descendant of
old Knickerbocker stock, who left at her death three
children, namely: John O.; Mary E., wife of
John T. Carlin; and Nettie, Mrs. Edward
Cullen. His present wife is the daughter of Dr.
Hitt and a cousin of Congressman Hitt, of
Illinois. Of their nine children seven are living, one
having died unnamed in infancy. Willis,
formerly one of the most able attorneys of the state, died some
time ago in Spokane, Wash. Harriet is the wife of
Dr. Tyson, a prominent physician of Kenton.
Moselle, who is at home, is an artist of superior
ability, his works in oils and water colors having received the
warmest commendation from art critics. George is
engaged in teaching. Bessie married Metellus
Thomson, son of the late Colonel Thomson,
one of the most extensive merchants of central Ohio, with large
stores in Kenton and Lima. Frank M. is a merchant
of Kenton. Mae L., who is at home, has received the
benefit of fine musical culture and is an artist in the
profession. Dell Lamar, who is at home, has
likewise received good educational advantages. Socially
General Walker is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and is
especially interested in the Grand Army of the Republic,
attending all the meetings of the post when his health permits.
In politics he is a stanch Republican.
Source: Portrait & Biographical
Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 344
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Frederick Wolf
Residence |
FREDERICK WOLF
Source: Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion &
Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 302
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JAMES M. WOOD, M. D.,
the leading physician of Dudley Township, Hardin County, resides
on an excellent farm located on section 11. He gives his
attention to the practice of medicine, in addition to
superintending the operations of his estate, and now ranks high
among his professional brethren in the county.
Our subject is a native of this state and was born Mar.
1, 1853, in Marion County. His parents, Hampton and
Susanna (Marsh) Wood, reared a family of twelve children, of
whom he was the sixth-born. The father was born in Virginia, but
accompanied his parents on their removal to Marion County, Ohio,
when quite young. He was reared to man’s estate in Big
Island Township, and there passed the remaining years of his
life, dying when seventy-eight years of age. He was one of the
wealthy land-owners of that township, and left to his family a
valuable estate, comprising one thousand acres of fine farming
land. For many years he was Treasurer and Trustee of the
township, and aided in various way in its upbuilding and
development. He was a member of the Free-Will Baptist
Church, and his memory is treasured by his descendants, and in
fact by all who knew him. His parents, who were of
Scotch-Irish extraction, were natives of the Old Dominion, but
on coming to this state were classed among its first
inhabitants.
The mother of our subject was also a Virginian and of
German extraction. Her death occurred in Marion County
when fifty-six years of age.
Her son, our subject, remained at home and attended the common
schools until seventeen years old, when he became a student in
the schools of Marion. He attended there for two years,
and was then given a certificate enabling him to teach.
For five years he followed this occupation, and during that time
saved enough money to enter the college at Ridgeville, Ind.
After leaving this institution he spent one year on a farm in
Hardin County, and then began reading medicine with Dr. R. C.
Bowdish, who was a resident of Big Island Township.
After the prescribed course of reading he attended lectures for
three years at the Columbus Medical College, from which he was
graduated with honors with the Class of ’ 79. He then
established an office at Yelverton, this county, for the
practice of medicine, but remained there only a short time, when
he entered a drug store in Kenton. There he remained until
the spring of the following year, when he opened a drug store of
his own at Larue, which he carried on in connection with his
practice. During the five years in which he was a resident
of that place he was Postmaster, but in the summer of 1885 he
left town and located upon the farm on which he is now residing.
Nov. 20, 1879, Dr. Wood was married to
Miss Lucy Potter, who was born July 13, 1859. She is
the daughter of Josiah and Mary Ann (Mills) Potter, the
former of whom was born and reared in the state of New York.
Soon after his marriage to Miss Mills, who was
also a native of that state, he removed to Wyandot County, Ohio.
They were residents there for a number of years and then changed
their location, this time settling in Hardin County, where the
father died when eighty-four years of age. Mrs.
Potter’s death took place after she had attained her
fifty-third year. They were charter members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
Four children were born to the Doctor and his wife,
namely: Mamie Ellie, Aubrey Hampton, Obie J. (who died in
infancy), and Anna Belle. The Doctor is
quite an active politician, and never fails to cast a vote in
favor of the Republican candidates. Socially he is a
Mason, belonging to Blue Lodge No. 463. Although not
connected with any church organization, he contributes
cheerfully of his means to the support of the various bodies in
his neighborhood.
Source: Portrait &
Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 -
Page 157 |
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