This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: WALKER, WHITELEY, SWONGER Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Cl.2ADI/947 Message Board Post: Joseph Walker, a prominent and successful farmer of Wright Township, lives on section 17, where he has a fine farm of 160 acres. He came to Iowa in 1855, and lived one year in Jefferson County, and then came to Wayne County and entered Government land on section 23, which he improved and made his home five years. He then sold his farm and rented land three years, buying his present farm in 1865. His residence, which is a model of architecture, was built in 1879. Mr. Walker was born in Adams County, Ohio, September 17, 1825, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth(Whitley)Walker. His father was a native of Rockbridge County, Virginia, a son of James Walker, a native of the same county, of Irish descent. His mother was a daughter of Samuel and Sarah Whiteley, and was of German descent. His parents family consisted of nine children, of whom our subject is the fourth, viz:-Samuel, James, Jane, Joseph, William, Madison, Maria, Melvina and George W. Joseph Walker was reared in his nat! ive State, remaining there until he came to Iowa. He was married February 7, 1850, to Charlotte I. Swonger, a native of Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, daughter of John and Mary Swonger, natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent. They have a family of nine children-John A., Philip A., Ambrose B., Elizabeth M., Josephine A., Virginia, Rose B., Ida and Willa Inez. Mr. and Mrs. Walker and their family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Biographical and Historical Record of Wayne and Appanoose Counties P-462 Interstate Printers Chicago 1886