Charles Pearsey Walker ⁴

  Noted events in his life were:

• Census, 1850, Milton, Wayne County, Indiana. ⁷ Charles Walker, age 7, male.

• Residence, 1856, Des Moines County, Iowa. ⁴ The Walker family at first lived in Pleasant Grove Township, directly east of New London, Henry County, Iowa

• Residence, between 1856 and 1862, Pleasant Grove Township, Des Moines County, Iowa. ¹ Chalres worked as a farmhand. (Previously it was thought he was working away from his family, but this is where Francis S. Walker's family lived at the time of the 1860 federal census.)

• Census, 1860, Pleasant Grove Township, Des Moines County, Iowa. ⁸ Line 1 (continued from previous page of the census): Charles Walker, age 17, male, occupation farmer, born in Indiana, attended school during the previous year

• Military, between November 22, 1862 and August 15, 1865. ⁹ Charles enlisted in the 34th Iowa Infantry during the Civil War. (Some friends' photos sent home: Anderson Gartin - on the back side of the photograph it said "Freedom, Friend, Iowa;" also photos of George Stultz, Captain Waters)

Military records: 34 Iowa

Charles Pearcy*, Pvt, Companies A and D, 34 Reg't Iowa Infantry.
Appears on Returns as follows:
Nov, 1862, Enlisted in Regt, November 22, Burlington, Iowa
February and March 1863, Absent sick in Hosp. St. Louis Mo. since January 26/63.
November 1864, (Co D) Chopping wood in ? M. D.
*Also Persey and Piercy.
Sitler, copyist.


34th Iowa Infantry.

Discharge papers:
To all whom it may Concern:

Know ye, That Charles Pearsey, a private of Captain Jonathan R. Waters Company ("D",)' 34" Regiment of Iowa Infantry VOLUNTEERS who was enrolled on the Twenty-second day of November one thousand eight hundred and Sixty two to serve three years or during the war, is hereby Discharged from the service of the United States, this Fifteenth day of August, 1865, at Houston, Texas, in compliance with [an executive? order]

(No objection to his being reenlisted is known to exist.)

Said Charles Pearsey was born in Rush County in the state of Indiana, is 20 (sic) years of age, five feet four inches high, light complexion, black eyes, black hair, and by occupation, when enrolled, a Blacksmith. Given at Houston, Texas this Fifteenth day of August, 1865.

• American Civil War Soldiers. ¹⁰ Name: Charles Pearsey; Residence: Burlington, Iowa; Enlistment Date: 22 November 1862; Side Served: Union; State Served: Iowa; Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 22 November 1862 at the age of 20. Enlisted in Company A, 34th Infantry Regiment Iowa on 22 November 1862. Mustered Out Company A, 34th Infantry Regiment Iowa on 15 August 1865 at Houston, Texas.

• Letters and Cards, September 6, 1862. ¹¹ (This letter was written in 1862 by Charles Pearsey Walker to his father; he later deserted - probably while still in Davenport, and reenlisted in November under the name Charles Pearsey.)

Davenport [Iowa], September 6, 1862

I take my pen in hand to write you a few lines I am well at present hoping that this may find you the same I have written one letter to day but thinking that it would not go I concluded to writ you a letter for I don't do any thing else but w(a)it I have just come from Rock Island I went over in a skiff to see the cars(?) it began to rain when I was over there and I had a jolly time comeing back in the rain It has been raining ever since night before last stoping a little once in awhile one Captain has just to Burlington. I don't think we will leave here for several months yet if you have any money to spare and can send us some dollars we will come home and stay a few days but if you cannot spare it well dont send it I want you to writ and tell me how you are getting along generally no more at present

but remain your most effectionat son
Charles P Walker

• Letters and Cards, December 3, 1862. ¹² Mouth of the White River (Arkansas) - December 3rd '62

It is with pleasure I seat my self to write you a few lines. I reed 3 letters from home. 1 from Lue one from papa one from May all of which I was glad to get. I was glad to hear that you were all well and doing well. I am as well common (?) exsept (sic) being pretty badly poisened but I am able to go around. I have not had any letter from Wm. lately. I had one from Vashti a few days ago. She was well. There is nothing going on here of importance that I know of. There is no prospect of going away from this plase. I am in hopes we wil get to stay here this winter. We have had some pretty disagreeable weather since we came here. We had about as hard a rain last night as I ever saw and as luck would have it I was on picket but managed to keep dry. Well, I believe from what you write you are getting along better with your business than if the boys was at home. There is one thing certain if I was at home you would not have had any apples to sell for I am a great apple eater when I can get them. There is not much prospect of us getting pay soon I think. Uncle Sam is getting in debt pretty deep and he had better begin to pay up. I was glad to get the postage stamps you sent me for I can't buy any here. I don't think hard of you for not writing oftener for I know you must have a great deal of work to do. If I can here from home often I will be satisfied. well I have no more to write this in answer to all letters I have reed from home since I came here. Direct your letters to Company D 34th Iowa via Cairo no more but remain as ever.

Charles

Enclosed find Captain R. Watters. Take good care of him until I get out of the service.

Charles

• Letters and Cards, May 22, 1863. ¹³ Pilot Knob Missouri, May 22 1863

Dear sisters

I received your very kind letter yesterday which gave me general satisfaction I was truely glad to hear that all the folks was wel I am wel at present and sincerely hope that this may find you all well. I sent a letter to Mother a few days ago you did not say whether you got that letter with my money in it or not I got two letters from the roses(?) of Iowa but don't say any thing about it for I don't make a business of telling it. I have not heard from Wm. lately but the last I heard from home he was well. I had quite a quarrell with our orderly seargeant I told him that I thought we would both be citizens some day and if he was not any better man than me he would get whiped or I would one of the two. I told him that I was going to heed my rights and so that the other boys had theirs too I just naturally told him that the next time he detailed me I would not go. I also informed him that he had been partial to some of the boys but he denied it but when I got through with him the Lieutenant said I had done just right wel. Lou I wish you had told me when the weding was coming off a week sooner but as it is I will not get to be there I think I could get a furlough this summer but I don't like the idea of going home and then coming back again so I guess I will stay till my time is out and then I can go home and stay a good while if I choose to do so. Lou I don't want to enjoy myself any better than I do at the present time well Lou I think it must be a natural failing in that neighborhood to shower folks before they are married my self I am truly glad that we didn't get on the good side of the day at anynot? Well Lu I dreamed of evil (a horse?) last night I want you to writ and tell me how he is getting along along take good care of him and feed him all he can eat tell Kate I want her hurry and learn to writ so she can writ me a letter. Wil(?) told me she could read pictures and tell her that she shall have that pony when I get home sure real Sory excuse me for not writing any better for i have a great deal of writing to do these times and have to writ in a hury and have got this very dirty ... .. and I ... and I'd answer well give my love to all no more at present but remain your effectionate brother Charles P Walker to his sisters farewell

• Letters and Cards, 1863, Vicksburg, Warren County, Mississippi. ^{14 15} Dear Friends

I take the present opportunity of writing you a few. I am wel at present and hope that this may find you all wel, we are below the city we have got the rebels completely surrounded and we starving them out. It is reported by deserters and negroes from the city that they are living on mule flesh and what water they get comes from the river. When they go after it our gun boats plays on them and kills a great many of them the dead mules are floating down the river all the time. They are mostly killed by our batterys which are playing them day and night. the rebels don't reply any more. yesterday they come down on our forces without any arms with the intention

(Some text/letter edges missing:)

......... rough our lines but
.......... with a thousand
......... come with for they got hold of some of the union pills and stoped very suden to sleep awhile. wel I guess it is not worth while for me to writ any more news about the City for I suppose you get all the news. The 15th Iowa come down when we did. I seen Jim ??? ??? and the rest of the Boys. I have not heard from Wm. for over 4 weeks I would [like] to know where he is I ..??.. several letters home before we left Pilot Kno(b) but have not any ansues I have not got any more news to writ Make you ne(...) not be troubled about me if you don't get any more letters for some time from me for I don't know when I will get to writ again but if any thing happens to me you will hear it now I want you to writ as soon as you can and let me know

(Page 3 - No Scan)

how you are___________________ and when ? ______________ and what Lee is doing_______ present but remain as ever tour son and brother Lo(?) Charles P. Walker.

Monday 15th we have moved nearer to the enemy. I got a letter from Wm and Leander today they was well then. I am going to write to them as soon as possible no more at present

Charles P Walker

On the back of this letter someone wrote: "Written by C. P.Walker at the
siege of Vicksburg, Miss. 1864. Company D 31st Ia. Inf." (It was 1863 and the
34th Regiment)

• Letters and Cards, September 4, 1863. ¹⁶ Camps Near Carrolton

Friday September 4, 1863

I take the present opportunity of penning you a few lines to inform you I am well, and I hope these few lines may find you all well and enjoying your selves. I got a letter from Wm. yesterday dated August 22nd. He was well as common.

Wee are under marching orders. Wee are ordered to be ready at 12 o'clock to march at 3 hours notice. But I don't think we will to to day. For we are going to have General Review today. U. S. Grant is going be out to review the troops. Of course there will be a big time of it out here. This will be our 3rd grand review since we came here. You wanted to know whether I got the wedding cake or not. I did. It was in that letter that was stopped at Cairo and that was the reason it was stopped. It did not taste very natural after laying in the post office. You stated in that letter that had ___ the consumption. that is very bad to because that is very fatal. You must take good care of old Maners for he has been a good and faithful servant. Well I don't know what to write next. But I guess I will write some to Kate. Katy I want you to go to school and learn to write and read and cipher and so you can write me a letter and when the war ends I will get you a pretty little pony so you can ride to church and over to Uncle Billys and every place that you want to go. Now Catherine be a good girl and be good to Grand Pop and Mother and help them all you can. Take good care of the eggs for when I get home I will want about a bushel to eat lots of bread and milk and honey and get as big as Mary. Now be a good girl and don't get mad for ugly girls get mad. No more. Little Katy write soon.

Your loving Uncle Charles to Catherine Brewer.

• Politics, between 1864 and 1922. ¹⁷ Charles was a lifelong Republican. He voted for Abraham Lincoln and continued voting Republican the rest of his life.

• Research. According to his Civil War records, Charles was 5' 4" in height.

• Occupation: farmer, between 1866 and 1915. ^{4 18}

• Organizations: the GAR (the Grand Army of the Republic). ¹⁸

• Census, 1870, New London Township, Henry County, Iowa. ¹⁹ Line #4; Dwelling 61; Family #58: Charles Walker, age 27, male, white, occupation farmer, value of personal property $100, born in Indiana, male citizen of 21 years of age or older

Ruth E. Walker, age 19, female, white, born in Iowa

Samuel N. Walker, age 1, male, white, born in Iowa

• Census, 1880, New London Township, Henry County, Iowa. ²⁰ Line 32, Dwelling 46, Family 48: Charles Walker, white, male, age 37, married, occupation farmer, born in Indiana, father born in Tennessee, mother born in Ohio (sic)

Ruth Ellen Walker, white, female, age 28, wife, married, occupation keeping house, born in Iowa, father born in Virginia, mother born in Ohio

Sam Walker, white, male, age 10, son, single, attended school during the previous year, born in Iowa, father born in Indiana, mother born in Iowa

Verny Walker, white, female, age 9, daughter, (single), attended school during the previous year, born in Iowa, father born in Indiana, mother born in Iowa

Thomas Walker, white, male, age 2, son, (single), born in Iowa, father born in Indiana, mother born in Iowa

• Residence, between 1884 and 1922, Louisa County, Iowa. ⁴

• Iowa State Census, 1885, Morning Sun Township, Louisa County, Iowa. ²¹ Charles P. Walker, age 41, male, married, farmer, born in Indiana

Ruth E. Walker, age 33, female, married, keeping house, born in Henry County, Iowa

Samuel N. Walker, age 15, male, single, born in Henry County, Iowa

Verna Walker, age 11, female, single, born in Henry County, Iowa

Thomas Walker, age 7, male, single, born in Henry County, Iowa

Leander Walker, age 3, male, single, born in Henry County, Iowa

Flossie Walker, age 0, female, single, born in Texas

• Miscellaneous, May 26, 1888. ²² Statement of Account.

Morning Sun, Iowa, May 26, 1888
Mr. Chas. P. Walker
To D. H. Morrison, Di.

Dealer in

Dry Goods, Clothing, Boots, Shoes, Etc.

1 hat .35
6 pr. hose .50
2 pr. hose .25
1 pr gloves .30
Thread .05
1 parasol .60
6 yds cottonade @.25 1.50
1 pr. rubbers .45
1 pr. plow shoes 1.50
1 pr. goah(?) shoes 2.50
2 pr. shoes boys 4.00

(total due) $12.00

• Miscellaneous, October 31, 1888. ²³ Statement of Account.
Morning Sun, Iowa, October 31, 1888
Mr. Chas. P. Walker

To D. H. Morrison, Di.
Dealer in
Dry Goods, Clothing, Boots, Shoes, Etc.

Yarn .25
Thread .10
3 yds. Delain .15 .45
2 yds. Caubric .15 .30
12 yds Calico .08 .96
4 yds Calico .07 .28
(Total due) $2.26

• Iowa State Census, 1895, Morning Sun Township, Louisa County, Iowa. ²⁴ Charles P. Walker, age 51, male, widowed, born Indiana

Thomas Walker, age 17, male, single, born Henry County, Iowa

Charles L. Walker, age 14, male, single, born Henry County, Iowa

Flossie Walker, age 19, female, single, born Texas

James Walker, age 7, male, single, born Louisa County, Iowa

(His sister:) Louvina C. Walker, age 56, female, single, born Indiana

• Census, 1900, Morning Sun Township, Louisa County, Iowa. ²⁵ Line 65, Dwelling #277, Family #275: Charles Walker, head of household, white, male, born April 1843, age 47, white, born in Indiana, father born in Tennessee, mother born in Virginia, occupation farmer 1-1-A(0-1-4), could read, could write, could speak English, own account, lived on a farm not a house, farm #29 in schedule

Thomas Walker, son, white, male, born November 1877, age 22, single, born in Iowa, father born in Indiana, mother born in Iowa, could read, could write, could speak English

Charles L. Walker, son, white, male, born May 1881, age 19, single, born in Iowa, father born in Indiana, mother born in Iowa, occupation farm hand, could read, could write, could speak English

Flossie Walker, daughter, white, female, born (illegible month) 1884, age 16, single, born in Texas, father born in Indiana, mother born in Iowa, attending school, 9 months in school during the past year, could read, could write, could speak English

James Walker, son, white, male, born January 1887, age 13, single, born in Iowa, father born in Indiana, mother born in Iowa, attending school, 9 months in school during the past year, could read, could write, could speak English

Luvinia Walker, sister, white, female, born December 1839, age 60, single, born in Indiana, father born in Tennessee, mother born in Virginia, occupation housekeeper, could read, could write, could speak English

• Research, 1903, Newport, Louisa County, Iowa. ⁴ On the back side of a photograph of the "Walker Homestead" near Newport, Iowa, there is the following writing, apparently from Flossie Z. (Walker) Russell: "S. N. Walker farm home (built originally for Charles P. Walker), built the same year Aunt Flossie was married. Sam Dotson did the carpentry work - 1906 (sic: 1903) Built for Chas. P. Walker."

• Census, 1910, Morning Sun Township, Louisa County, Iowa. ²⁶ Line 70, Dwelling 23, Family 24: Charles P. Waulker (sic), head of household, male, white, age 67, married (twice), this marriage for 7 years, born in Indiana, father born in Tennessee, mother born in Virginia, could speak English, own income, could read, could write, owned his home, a house not farm

Sarah A. Waulker (sic), wife, female, white, age 62, married (twice), this marriage for 7 years, 8 children born, 8 living, born in Iowa, father born in Pennsylvania, mother born in Kentucky, could speak English, no occupation, could read, could write, blind

Thomas Waulker (sic), son, male, white, age 35, single, born in Iowa, father born in Indiana, mother born in Iowa, could speak English, occupation carpenter, industry house, own account, not out of work April 15 1910, 0 weeks out of work during the year, could read, could write

James G. Waulker (sic), son, male, white, age 23, single, born in Iowa, father born in Indiana, mother born in Iowa, could speak English, occupation farmer, industry home farm, own account, not out of work April 15 1910, 0 weeks out of work during the year, could read, could write, owned his home (lived with father), N, free of mortgage, farm #23 in schedule

• Biography: Louisa County History - Louisa County, Iowa, 1912. ¹ C. P. Walker

One of Louisa County's agriculturists who donned the blue and went to the front in those perilous days of the [18]'60s is C. P. Walker, who was born in Wayne County, Indiana, on the 13th of April, 1843. He is the son of Francis S. and Catherine Pearsey Walker, natives of Virginia and Tennessee respectively [sic - Tennessee and Virginia], both of whom have passed away. They were parents of eight children, in order of birth as follows: Vashti, the widow of John Edgar, of Henry County; Leander, deceased; Louvinia, of New Mexico; Rebecca, deceased; William P. of Missouri; C. P., our subject; Clarinda Ann, the wife of William Edgar, Henry County; and Maggie, the wife of Jesse Vaughn, of Sioux City.

C. P. Walker came to Iowa with his family in 1856, locating in Henry County, where he worked as a farm hand for one year, and then went to Des Moines County where he remained for five years. At the expiration of that period he returned to Henry County where he continued to reside until the 22nd of November, 1862, when he enlisted in the Union army, going to the front with the Thirty-fourth Infantry. He was sent from Helena, Arkansas to Chicago with Rebel prisoners, and from the latter city he went to Vicksburg, where he joined General Sherman, participating in the siege of that southern stronghold. On the 15th of August 1865, he was mustered out at Houston, Texas, and was paid off on the 22nd of September, 1865, at Davenport, Iowa. Mr. Walker was at Fort Morgan when Farragut ran the blockade and captured the Confederate ironclad, Tennessee.

After receiving his discharge he returned to Henry County, Iowa, where he farmed an eighty acre tract which he rented three years. At the end of that time he was married and subsequently, went to Nebraska, where he resided for a year. Returning to Iowa in 1869, he rented one hundred and twenty acres for fourteen years and then went to Texas for a year. In 1884 he came to Louisa County, where he purchased three hundred acres of land, but he has since disposed of all but fifty-seven acres, upon which he continues to reside. He has placed all improvements upon his property and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising.

On the 4th of July, 1868, Mr. Walker was united in marriage to Miss Ruth E. Fox, and by this union there were born eight children as follows: Samuel N., a resident of Louisa county; Everna, the wife of E. C. Frizzell, of Clarke county; Albert, deceased; Thomas, at home; Leander, also of Louisa county; Flossie, who married John Russell, of this county; James G., at home; and John, deceased. The wife and mother passed away in December, 1890 [sic: December 29, 1889] and for his second wife Mr. Walker married Mrs. Sarah A. (Houseman) Edgar, the widow of Thomas Edgar. They were wed on 6th of July, 1902.

Mr. and Mrs. Walker affiliate with the Christian church, and he is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. His first vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln on a steamer on the Mississippi River, and his political allegiance has ever since been given to the Republican party. He has never participated in public affairs, not being an aspirant for office, but when his services are needed in the support of any just cause he is ever found to be as willing and loyal as his allegiance was in the [18]60's.

• Letters and Cards, April 5, 1915, New London, Henry County, Iowa. ²⁷ Postmark: New London, Iowa; April 5, 11 AM 1915
To: Mr. C. P. Walker; Morning Sun, Iowa; RFD

Monday morning. --

Received you(r) card about the eggs. Will have them by the last of the week if nothing happens. Art will try to bring them & guinne (guineas?) out. Hope you are all well. Love to all, Bertha E.

(Bertha was Bertha Belle [Eddingfield] Edgar)

• Occupation, about 1918-1922, Morning Sun, Louisa County, Iowa. ⁴ In Charles P. Walker's final years of life, he managed a general store in Morning Sun.

• Census, 1920, Morning Sun Township, Louisa County, Iowa. ²⁸ Line#: 73; farm, Morning Sun and Newport Road; Charles Walker, head of household, owned his home, free of mortgage male, white, age 76, married, could read, could write, born in Indiana, father born in Tennessee, mother born in Virginia, could speak English, occupation manager, industry farm, own account, # of farm on schedule 101

Sarah Walker, wife, female, white, age 71, married, could read, could write, born in Iowa, father born in Pennsylvania, mother born in Kentucky, could speak English, occupation none

Thomas Walker, son, male, white, age 42, marital status? could read, could write, born in Iowa, father born in Indiana, mother born in Iowa, could speak English, occupation worker, industry home, own account

• Religion: the Christian Church. ¹⁸

• Funeral Program, March 9, 1922. ²⁹ CHARLES WALKER
Died March 8, 1922.
Age 79 years.

"Gone but not forgotten"

A precious one from us has gone
A voice we loved is stilled;
A place is vacant in our home,
Which never can be filled.
God in His wisdom has recalled,
The boon his love had given,
And though the body slumbers here,
The soul is safe in Heaven.

Copyright 1912 by H. F. Wendell, Leipsic, Ohio

• Obituary, March 16, 1922. ¹⁸ C. P. Walker

Charles P. Walker, a highly respected old resident of the Morning Sun community, and a veteran of the Civil War, passed away at his home near there Wednesday, March 8, at the ripe age of 78 years, 10 months, and 25 days.

C. P. Walker was born in Milton, Wayne county, Indiana, April 13, 1843. He came to Iowa in 1856, locating in Henry county. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having enlisted in the Union army in November, 1862, and served until the close of the struggle. He was a member of the 34th Infantry and was present at the siege of Vicksburg and later was at Fort Morgan when Farragut won the blockade and captured the Confederate Ironclad, Tennessee. He was mustered out at Houston, Texas, August 15th, 1865, and discharged September 22nd, 1865.

He continued to reside in Henry county until 1883 when he went to Texas, returning to Iowa the following year, and locating in Louisa county, where he remained until his death on March 8th, 1922, aged 78 years, 10 months and 25 days.

He was united in marriage to Miss Ruth E. Fox, July 4th, 1868. Eight children were born to them; Sam N., living on the old home farm near Morning Sun; Everna Frizzell of Garden Grove, Iowa; Thomas, who remained at home and has been the stay and strength of his father in his declining years; Leander of Crawfordsville; Flossie, the wife of John F. Russell of Wapello, and James of Crawfordsville, all of whom were present at the funeral. Two died in infancy. The wife and mother passed away December, 1890 [sic: 1889].

His second marriage was to Mrs. Sarah A. (Houseman) Edgar, July 6th, 1902, [who] with the six children mentioned above; [a total of] twenty grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, survive him.

One brother, William P., lives in Des Moines; a sister, Mrs. Vashti Edgar, the widow of "Uncle Johnnie" Edgar, one of the pioneers of Henry county, another sister, Mrs. Annie Edgar, residing near New London, Iowa, and still another sister, Mrs. Maggie Vaughn, whose home is near Vantassell, Wyoming, mourn his departure. Only two of his old army comrades of the 34th Iowa Infantry remain - Joe Culver of Garden Grove, Iowa, and Jim Williams of Neosho, Missouri.

Mr. Walker was a long-time member of the Christian church, as were both his wives. He was also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. In his family and among his friends he was known and loved as a man of integrity, a good citizen, and a faithful; unpretentious Christian. Not a man of many words, he was everywhere recognized as an upright, straight-forward citizen. He never sought office nor preferment of any kind. He cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln on a steamer on the Mississippi river, while in the service of his country, and was a life-long Republican, loyal at all times to every call of duty and devotion to the flag. The flag that rested upon his heart as he was laid away spoke of the simple and sincere devotion of his life.

His last illness dated from December and for three months he was cared for with unfailing devotion by his children, who lavished upon him the wealth of their affection that made his last days as comfortable and peaceful as falls to the human lot. All testify to his patience and the Christian faith and fortitude with which he faced death, unafraid and with a simple and beautiful trust. The family and friends that gathered bore witness to the esteem and regard in which this good man and neighbor and friend was held in the community.

The funeral services were held at the home March 9th, conducted by Charles Blanchard of Des Moines, Iowa, at his request, and burial was made at New London, Iowa.

• Obituary: The Davenport Democrat and Leader, March 13, 1922, Davenport, Scott County, Iowa. ³⁰ Morning Sun, Ia., March 13 -- Funeral services of the late Chas. P. Walker, who passed away March 8th, were held from the home two miles east of here, March 9, 1922, conducted by Chas. Blanchard of Des Moines, Ia. Burial at New London, Ia.

The deceased, who was in his 79th year, was a veteran of the Civil War, a member of the 34th Infantry. He was a long-time member of the Christian church and a member of the Grand Republic. In his family and among his friends, he was known and loved as a man of integrity, a good citizen and a faithful, unpretentious christian. Not a man of many words, he was everywhere recognized as an upright, straightforward citizen. He cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln on a steam on the Mississippi river, while in the service of his country,, and was a lifelong Republican. The flag that rested upon his heart as he was laid away spoke of the simple and sincere devotion of his life.

He leaves his widow and six children, Sam N., near here; Elvina Frizzell, Garden Grove, Ia., Thomas, at home; Leander, Crawfordsville, Ia., Mrs. Flossie Russell, Wapello, Ia., James of Crawfordsville, Ia. He also leaves three sisters and one brother.

Charles married Ruth Ellen Fox, daughter of Nathaniel Fox and Kitturah McFarland, on July 4, 1868 in Mount Pleasant, Henry County, Iowa.^{1 2} (Ruth Ellen Fox was born on April 16, 1851 in Henry County, Iowa,⁵ died on December 29, 1889 in Morning Sun, Louisa County, Iowa ^{5 31} and was buried in the Ferrel Cemetery, New London Township, Henry County, Iowa ⁵.) The cause of her death was tuberculosis.

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• Residence, about 1868-1869, Nebraska. ⁴ Possibly they moved there because other members of Ruth Ellen's sister's family, that of Elizabeth (Fox) Sampson, had moved there.

• Residence, between 1869 and 1883, Henry County, Iowa. ¹ Charles and family lived in a "log cabin" north of New London, between New London and Mt. Union.

• Residence, between 1883 and 1884, Tehuacana, Limestone County, Texas. ^{1 4} Daughter Flossie Walker was born during the stay in Texas.

• Gravestone Inscription. ⁵ Charles Pearsey and Ruth Ellen (Fox) Walker's gravestone is located in Ferrel Cemetery near New London, Henry County, Iowa. The inscription is: "Charles P. Walker, April 13, 1843 - March 8, 1922; Ruth E. His Wife, April 16, 1861 - Dec. 29, 1889."

Charles next married Sarah Ann "Sally" Houseman, daughter of Jacob Houseman and Susanna R. Spearman, on July 6, 1902 at the home of Sarah Ann (Houseman) Edgar, Henry County, Iowa.^{1 3} (Sarah Ann "Sally" Houseman was born on September 8, 1848 in Mount Pleasant, Henry County, Iowa ^{32 33} and died after 1936 in Mississippi ³⁴.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• Marriage Certificate, June 6, 1902. ³⁵ Certificate of Marriage

This Certifies, That on the 6 day of June 1902, at __ in Henry County, Iowa according to law, and by authority and license under the seal of the District Court, I duly JOINED IN MARRIAGE

Charles Walker and Mrs. Sarah Edger, Given under my hand this Sixth day of July 1902.

MARRIAGE SOLEMNIZED IN PRESENCE OF
William Edger, John Edger, Witnesses
Ernest L. Coons, Minister

• Marriage Fact. Charles and Sarah's wedding was officiated by Ernest L. Coons, Minister.