SAMUEL J. WALKER, late of Worthington, Armstrong county, was
engaged in business as a general merchant and undertaker.
He was a veteran of the Civil war.
Mr. Walker was born Oct. 31, 1840, near Worthington, son of James and
Jane (Bigham) Walker.
James Walker and his wife were both reared in Allegheny county, Pa.,
where he learned the trade of carpenter.
For about fourteen years he worked at that trade at Pittsburgh, later
leaving and coming to Worthington, about 1838.
He had the contract for the carpenter work on the Buffalo furnace, and
for other buildings at Kittanning and adjoining places.
His children were: Isaac,
who died young; Henry P.; James B.; Minerva J.; Robert H.; Amanda A. and Mary
A., twins; Samuel J.; and Agnes, who died in infancy.
The father of these children died about 1878; the mother passed away
about 1874.
Samuel J. Walker attended public school in his district, and worked on
the farm owned by his father until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company
K, 155th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.
In the spring of 1864 he re-enlisted in the 2d Pennsylvania Heavy
Artillery. On July 25, 1864, in front of Petersburg, Va., he had the
misfortune to have three fingers shot off.
In 1865 he was mustered out at the close of the war, after a brave and
gallant service. Returning to
Armstrong county, he followed farming until 1885, when he embarked in an
undertaking business. Several
years later he began handling merchandise, and thereafter combined both lines
very satisfactorily, until his death.
In October, 1871, Mr. Walker married Sarah J. Welsh, daughter of George
Welsh, of Butler county, Pa., and they had children Frank W., deceased;
Charles E.; Emma, who died at the age of two years; John W., who died at the
age of one year; and Esther May, wife of E. W. Campbell.
Mr. Walker belonged to the Royal Arcanum.
His religious affiliations were with the Presbyterian Church, of which
he was an elder, holding that office for thirty years.
For sixty-six years he attended Sunday school, continuing to do so till
the close of his life.
