****************************************************************************
File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
Copyright 2008, all rights reserved.

These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format 
without the written consent of the author at http://fulton.ilgenweb.net.

****************************************************************************

Source: Atlas Map of Fulton County, Illinois, 
Andreas, Lyter, and Co., Davenport, Iowa. 1871
(page 39)

****************************************************************************


Major Newton Walker.--- Major Newton Walker was born in Madison county, Virginia, in the year 1803, and continued to live there until 1835, when he moved, with his mother, to Illinois, and settled on section 22 in Lewistown township, Fulton county, where he still resides. It is supposed to be the first farm that was ever improved in Fulton county. Mr. Walker's father died in Virginia in the year 1811, and in 1834 Newton married Miss E. A. Simms, daughter of Col. Simms, at an early age. Mr. Walker was appointed major under the old military laws of Virginia, and has been recognized as Major Walker ever since. Major Walker has always been a farmer and stock grower. For several years he was engaged in merchandising in Lewistown, but getting tired of selling goods, for the last twenty-five years he has given his entire attention to farming and raising stock, and has been very successful in his pursuits. 
    
In 1837 Maj. Walker was commissioner of Fulton county, and was the superintendent in building the court House in Lewistown. In 1838 he was elected representative of the county, and was in the sessions of 1838-39. He has frequently been elected to offices of trust in his township. Never was a candidate for any office but what he was elected. He has always been a man of industrious and energetic habit and has always borne an active part in improving the town and country. He has always stood very high in the estimation of all who knew him, and Maj. Walker's word has always been considered as good as his written obligation. He has never been known to push or distress a poor man. but always ready to extend the hand of charity, and give aid and sympathy to those worthy of receiving the same. 
    
Maj. Walker is the father of four children, three daughters and one son. His oldest daughter is the wife of Mr. Ed. Harris, who is one of the popular and enterprising merchants of Lewistown. His son Robert is married, and is one of the heavy farmers and stock growers of Isabel township. His two youngest daughters are single, and live with their father and mother. Maj. Walker is somewhat in the decline of health, and when it will be his to leave this earthly career, it will be truly said that Fulton county has lost one of her best and most worthy men and citizens.