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The history of agricultural progress in Livingston county would be incomplete without mention of Joshua Walker, a native son who was born here May 24, 1843, and for seven decades has made his home in this section, where he has attained to a substantial position, owning a farm of one hundred and seventy acres on section 27, Sampsell township. He is a son of Amos and Rachel (Murray) Walker, both of whom have passed away, the father dying January 5, 1879, and the mother surviving him until January 29, 1895. Both found their last resting place at Mount Olive cemetery, Sampsell township. The father was one of the first settlers in this district, coming to Livingston county when the Indians still roamed wild and buffalo and bear were plentiful. He took an active part in shaping pioneer conditions and gradually became a prominent man in his locality, where he was highly esteemed for his many good qualities of mind and character.

Joshua Walker acquired his education in the public schools, making himself master of such learning as was obtainable at the time and under the conditions of frontier life. At the age of eighteen be laid aside his text-books, although he had previous to that time assisted his father in the minor duties on the farm in his vacations and at leisure times. After leaving school he continued to assist in the operation of the farm for three years, after that time working out for a similar period as a farm hand. He then heeded Greeley's call to go west and for three years followed various lines of employment before returning to Livingston county, where upon his return he engaged independently in agriculture, acquiring the farm which he now owns and of which sixty-five acres are under high cultivation. He follows general farming and also gives attention to stock-raising, his progressive methods resulting in substantial success. He has erected upon his farm a handsome residence and such other buildings as he deemed necessary to profitable improvement of the property. All such equipment, implements and machinery as are considered indispensable to intensive farming are to be found upon his property and since taking possession he has enhanced the value of his farm manifold.

In Sampsell township, on January 4, 1868, Mr. Walker was married to Miss Sarah J. Dawkins, a daughter of John and Mary Ann (Simmons) Dawkins, the former of whom passed away May 24, 1871, but the latter is still living and makes her home with her daughter in Chillicothe at the age of eighty-six years. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are the parents of ten children: Paralee, the wife of George D. Wagner, of Sampsell township, who is mentioned at greater length in another part of this volume; Amos, an agriculturist of Daviess county, Missouri, who has two children, Clyde and Paul, both attending school; Mary F., who married John Wagner, a blacksmith of Monette, Missouri; Charles A., residing at Chillicothe; Rachel, the wife of Walter Minnick, a druggist of Lock Spring, Missouri; Amanda, the wife of Wade Brookshire, of Chillicothe; Jennie, who married Lewis Mast, an agriculturist of Sampsell township; John Andrew, who passed away November 28, 1891; and Edward Harvey and Marvin, at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Walker are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and take an active and helpful part in the work of that organization. His political affiliation is with the democratic party, to which for many years he has given his support. A man well informed and public-spirited, he takes laudable interest in all matters of public importance and never fails to support any measures intended to benefit the locality or its people. While he has attained to individual success, he has been constructive in the development of this section and it is due to pioneers like Joshua Walker that the prosperous conditions, which the present generation enjoys, prevail.

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