|
a.
|
Note: This following newspaper article was found in the Hancock County's 'Greenfield Republican' weekly newspaper in 1891. The paper was doing a series of what they called 'Our Pioneer Sketches!' It looks like they did a total of 30. Martha Walker's appeared on July 9, 1891 and was # 15 in the series. Sketch no. 15 - Martha Walker Green Township (Hancock County, Indiana) Mrs. Walker, so well known as Aunt Patty Walker, was born October 14, 1808, in Wayne County, Indiana, three miles north of Richmond. Her parent´s names were Phineas and Sarah Roberts. They entered land there in 1800; she was the eldest of four children, two boys and two girls. Her two brothers are now living in Wayne County and are upwards of 80 years old. Her mother died when our subject was six years old. Her father married again to a good woman that she loved dearly and who treated her a great deal better than the average step mother is reputed to treat her husband´s children. She took great pains to enlighten and instruct her in many ways, and taught her to weave and spin; those were pleasant, happy days for little Martha Roberts. Her stepmother went the way of all flesh however in the short period of 23 months and Martha was again motherless. She had attended school two months during the twenty two, school advantage being very limited at that time. Her sister then became her father's housekeeper, which duty she performed faithfully until she was twenty years old. Martha was married to Jesse Walker November 18, 1828. Shortly after they went to housekeeping, their house with its contents was burned , they rebuilt and lived there eight years, then, in 1836, removed to Hancock county in Green township about three miles north west of Eden, on what is known as the old Walker homestead, where the reporter found her. The farm is now occupied by her grandson Marion Jarrett. They bought 80 acres for $450. They made them a hewed log house in the forest and lived there thirty years. For several years it was no uncommon thing to see deer, wild turkeys, wolves, groundhogs, coons, opossums, etc. Here they lived out many of their days in nature´s solitude and reared seven children all girls. Aunt Patty is also one of seven living widows of the seven deceased Walker brothers, she is the oldest widow and married the oldest son, six daughters are still living. Her faithful and loving husband left her side and was gathered to his Father's twenty-five years ago the seventh of last October, and his 'Sacred Dust' is reposing in Menden cemetery, between Eden and Pendleton. She spoke tenderly of him, that he had been a good moral and good religious man all his life and most patient, kind and affectionate husband. "Peace to his ashes." Her daughters all married good and influential citizens and are happy. Sarah is the wife of E. S. Bragg, the popular and gentle manly host of the Guymon house, and consequently is its hostess. This house has always been a model of neatness and hospitality under the present management. Mr. and Mrs. Bragg have three children, the eldest of whom Walter O., is Deputy Auditor of this county. Doreas married John Jarrett of Fortville, who is now dead, but left his wife in comfortable circumstances, she has two sons. Eliza married Joseph Scott, they now live in Anderson and are doing nicely, they have three children. Nancy M. married Wm G. Scott of Greenfield, well known here. He was until a short time ago a partner with Joseph Ballwin in the hardware business. Mr. Scott is now a genial travelling man, they have two children. Martha E. marred David Alford, whose name stands out boldly on the REPUBLICANS subscription list, as though it was admonishing the ones adjusting it to pay up. Mr. Alford has a nice home just south of Eden, is a jolly good fellow and has an exceptional mother in law. They have four children. Minnie married another like unto the above. His name is Harrison Jarrett, he lives in Eden, is a solid Republican and one ye reporter always likes to meet. They have two children. She has 14 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Aunt Patty was raised in the friend church but after coming to Hancock county she felt that she could not live away from the church, as she connected with the M.E. church and has been a faithful member ever since. She knows the Bible perhaps better than anyone aside from a Bible student, and has found much comfort and consolation in its teachings. She has a perfect faith in the lot of Jesus, of whom she loves totally. Hers is a beautiful Christian character. A few skeptics could secure some pointers from her life. She is feeble in body but vigorous in mind, she is almost totally blind but contented and happy. It seemed that her mother pride was kindled, and she talked more fluently than at any time during the conversation when she began to relate that her husband was a Republican, and that five sons-in-law voted for Harrison, and five grand sons did the same thing, and three that will in the future when they grow old enough, and two old enough to ballot for him and one that will be by 1892. Aunt Patty your life work has been a noble one and many will there be to shed tears to your memory when you are gone.
|