This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: FELKER, WALKER Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/DFC.2ACE/1771 Message Board Post: From the Stevens Point Weekly Journal, Saturday Dec. 20, 1884, Page 1, Columns 4 and 5, Almond News Died: Of consumption, Thursday, Dec. 11, 1884, William WALKER, aged 32 years, 3 months and 6 days. William WALKER came into the town of Almond from Canada in the fall of 1865, his father, mother and eight healthy children constituting the family. Today the father and five of the children sleep the last sleep in a little cemetery in this village. Five--two sons and thrree daughters, have been called hence by the dread disease, consumption. From 1865 to 1873, William assisted his father on the farm and attending school in the winter months. His brother James then being in failing health, William accompanied him to California and remained there at this time about three years, entering into business with a prudent zeal that laid the foundation of the competence that his family now enjoy. Returning here in 1876 he soon after went into business in Stevens Point, which he prosecuted successfully until failing health admonished him of the necessity of a change. On the 27th of December, 1879, he married Miss Rosa FELKER, the estimable daughter of Isaiah and Christina FELKER, the fruit of the union being three children, two of whom survive. Three years ago, while attending the funeral of his father, he contracted a cold that terminated in a cough that continued to the end. In his efforts to seek health he has visited California twice in the past two years, hoping to find relief in the mild climate of that favored state, the last time taking his family with him and remaining in the beautiful city of Santa Cruz about 18 months. Still failing, he returned here in June last, his appearance denoting too truly that but a few months of life remained to him. Some four months ago doubtless realizing his condition and wishing to leave his family comfortably located near old-time friends, he determined to build a house upon his farm near this village, and with an energy equaled by few in the possession of health, he pushed the work till a fine house, barn and other necessary farm buildings, nearly completed, attest the force and will-power of the man, in fact he kept the mechanics at work in an adjoining room to that in which the hand of the dread messenger was laid upon him. ..The funeral services were held Sunday morning conducted by Revs. Wilson and Palmer. Notwithstanding the severe storm that prevailed throughout the day, the house was filled far beyond its seating capacity by sympathizing friends. Almond Lodge I. O. O. F. assisted by a large delegation from the Shurette and Stampi Lodges of Stevens Point, took charge of the remains and deposited them in the bosom of mother earth... Submitter: Joan M Benner <[email protected]> Golden Rule Genealogy http://www.rootsweb.com/~wiwood/resource/r-joanb.htm Specializing in Central Wisconsin Records Member, Association of Professional Genealogists