Biographical Sketch of

Aaron Walker

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 643 - 644


Aaron Walker, a retired farmer of Berlin, is numbered among the honored pioneers of Green Lake County, and is 
one of the few left to relate the history of life on the frontier of the Badger State.  He was born in Yorkshire, 
England, March 15, 1817, and as far back as the ancestry can be traced, we find the family were residents of 
the same country.  His parents, Philip and Betsy (Petch) Walker, were also natives of Yorkshire, where they 
passed their entire lives, the father working as a day-laborer.  In their family were seven children, five 
sons and two daughters, two of whom, a brother and sister, went to Australia, while the other five became 
residents of America.  The father died in the prime of life, and his widow afterward married a Mr. Johnson, 
by whom she had three children.
 
The subject of this sketch was reared amid the hardships and toils of comparative poverty.  As soon as he 
was old enough to work at all, he had to earn his own livelihood, and from that time forward has been 
dependent upon his own resources.  When a young man he conceived the idea of becoming an American citizen, 
believing that in this free country of ours better opportunities were furnished young men than the countries 
of the Old World afforded, so he set to work to obtain the necessary means.  His brother Christopher resolved 
to accompany him, and in 1844, they embarked on a sailing-vessel bound for Quebec.  For seven weeks and two 
days, they were upon the bosom of the broad ocean, and it certainly must have been a pleasing sight to them 
when they first caught a glimpse of land.  The brothers found that they had but little over a pound sterling 
on their arrival, but this they divided equally between them, and then started out to fight life's battle.  
It remained to be seen whether they would meet with defeat, or whether victory would perch upon their banner.
 
Knowing that he must at once find work in order to provide for his daily wants, Aaron Walker went to New York, 
where he sought and obtained a position as a farm hand, in which capacity he served for six years.  At the 
expiration of that time, he secured the appointment of Superintendent of the farming department of the asylum, 
at Utica, where he remained for two years.  In the meantime he chose for himself a life companion and helpmate 
in the person of Miss Elizabeth Fenwick, who was born in Barnsley, England, Feb. 5, 1821, and emigrated to this 
country in 1816.  Their union was celebrated Oct. 7, 1848, and the same year witnessed their emigration to 
Wisconsin.  Locating in Sacramento, Waushara County, Mr. Walker pr-empted 108 acres of land, to which he added 
until he owned a fine farm of 300 acres.  They began life in true pioneer style:  their home was a log cabin of 
one room; their table a board laid upon pegs in the logs, their chairs, the trunks in which they kept their 
clothing.  As the days passed, however, bounteous harvests began to reward their efforts, and as their financial 
resources increased, comforts were added, and improvements made until they had one of the best farms in the 
community.  In 1886, they laid aside the cares of other years, and removed to Berlin to spend their declining 
years in retirement.  On the 22d of September, 1888, Mrs. Walker was called to her final rest.
 
The children born to that worthy couple, seven in number, are James H., who married Josie Troxell; Charles, who 
died in infancy; Charles A., who married Annie Sager, and has four children; Bartholomew married Martha Sager, 
and has one child; Sarah A., who is the wife of Spencer Angle, and has two children; Frank died at the age of 
fifteen years; and Jennie I. is at home.
 
Mr. Walker supports the Republican party, and for some time was Supervisor of the town of Aurora.  He is now 
living in the enjoyment of a well earned rest, and has the confidence and respect of all who know him.






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