Transcribed by Patty Gaddis

WALKER, NORTON A., one of Sangamon County's most reliable and highly respected farmers, has developed a fine farm and has brought it to a high state of cultivation. Mr. Walker was born in Henry County, IL, March 28, 1856, and is a son of Charles and Mary Ann (Dugan) Walker, the former born in Ohio, September 20, 1823, and the latter born January 30, 1824. The parents were farmers and were married in Ohio, January 1, 1844, soon after which they removed to Schuyler County, IL, where the father died in 1872 and the mother, who died on the farm where her son Norton A now lives, was buried at South Fork Cemetery, February 23, 1905. The grandparents of Norton A Walker were deceased at the time he was born.

Mr. Walker received his education in the country schools of Schuyler County and has since been engaged in farming. He has been industrious and ambitious and has spent little time in recreation, being fully occupied with his work. As a child he accompanied his parents to Fulton County and later to Schuyler County, and March 1, 1876, came to Sangamon County and located one mile north of his present home, where he spent six years. After his father's death (which occurred when the boy was sixteen years of age) he and a brother paid a debt of $600. He helped support his mother and her five small children until he reached his majority, since which time he has been able to acquire and pay for 400 acres of land. He now owns 200 acres and paid an average of $75 per acre for it, although it is now worth $200 per acre. He has been most successful in his agricultural operations and owns two shares in the Farmers' Elevator Company, of Breckenridge. He is a Democrat in politics and has served two years as School Director. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen and he and his wife belongs to the Loyal Americans. Mr. Walker belongs to the Christian Church and his wife to the Catholic Church. He is a man of considerable influence in his community and is actively interested in its progress and welfare. His success is the result of his own efforts and he has shown excellent judgment in the management of his affairs, adding to his financial interests from time to time as circumstances warranted.

May 1, 1878, Mr. Walker was married, at Springfield, IL, by Father Brady, to Catherine Haney, a native of County Galway, Ireland, born in June 1857, daughter of Thomas and Mary Ann (Welsh) Haney, both of whom spent their entire lives in Ireland. The father of Mrs. Mary Haney came to the United States and participated in the War of 1812. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Walker, namely: Mary Ann, born February 23, 1880, married Henry Jett and they live in Sangamon County and have two children, Chelsia and Oregin; Sarah, born October 25, 1882, married Ben Wilson, of Christian County, and they have one child, Imo; George, born July 25, 1884, married Zella Spicer, and they have one child, Francis; Barbara E, born August 3, 1886, married Timon Robinson; Katherine M, born August 3, 1889, married Leslie Jones, and they live in Sangamon County; William A, born August 5, 1892, and Ruth M, born February 6, 1895, live at home.