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James 'Ellet' Walker |
James "Ellet" Walker (also spelled "Alex" -- "Elliot" -- and"Elliott") was born on Nov. 1, 1874 (or 1876) in Iowa, the son of William "Crawford" and Electa (Minard) Walker.
At a young age, in 1878, Ellet and his parents and siblings migrated from Iowa to Mulvane, Sumner County, KS. In adulthood, he was of medium height and stout build, with black eyes and light hair. By 1897, he had relocated to Brookfield, Linn County, MO.
On Oct. 27, 1897, at the age of 23, Ellet married 32-year-old Mary Lynch (Feb. 18, 1865-1951), whose parents John and Mary (Coleman) Lynch were immigrants from Ireland. The ceremony was conducted by Rev. P.J. Cullen, a Catholic priest in Brookfield. News of their marriage was published in the Chariton (MO) Courier.
The Walkers produced one known son, Charles Lawrence Walker, born in 1916 after his parents had been married for 19 years.
They made their home on Hansen Avenue and West Elliott Street in Brookfield.
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Brookfield's North Main Street, as seen from the underpass |
During World War I, in September 1918, the 43-year-old Ellet was required to register for the federal military draft. At the time, he and Mary resided at 227 North Clinton Street in Brookfield. Ellet reported his employment was as a boiler maker for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad (CB & Q) shop in Brookfield.
The federal censuses for 1920 and 1930 show Ellet (spelled "Elliot") continuing his labors as a railroad boiler maker in a local shop. In 1950, Ellet (age 75) and Mary (79) made their dwelling-place in Brookfield, with neither having an occupation. Their address at that time was 215 West John Street.
Sadness blanketed the family when Mary, suffering from senility, hardening of the arteries and chronic inflammation of the rectum, died at the age of 86 on April 13, 1951. Ellet signed her death certificate, using the name "Alex." An obituary and funeral notice in the Daily News-Bulletin said that in addition to their son and family, the out-of-towners traveling to attend the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Frank Rooney, Mr. and Mrs. Will Rooney and daughter Shirley, Mr. and Mrs. John Bunardel, Mr. and Mrs. R.J. Jones and Mrs. D.W. Maupin.
Evidence suggests that Ellet wed a second time to Judith ( ? - ? ). In March 1952, he held a sale of his household furniture and decor, with Roy L. McCollum acting as auctioneer.
Ellet passed away in Atchison, KS on Jan. 1955. Funeral rites were administered in Sacred Heart Church. The remains were brought back to Brookfield for interment next to his first wife in St. Michael Cemetery. The J.W. Rooneys came from Kansas City to stand at the graveside rites. An obituary in the Brookfield Bulletin called him "Alex" Walker said he was a "former resident" of town.
Judith survived her husband, but the details of her final fate are not yet known.
~ Son Charles Lawrence Walker ~
Son Charles Lawrence Walker (1916-1989) was born on Feb. 18, 1916 in Kansas.
On Feb. 1, 1941, at St. Joseph, MO, he entered into marriage with Mabel "Virginia" Ingels (March 20, 1925-2000), daughter of Alonza and Della (Bryan) Ingels and a native of Atchison, KS. Rev. Dr. W.L. McGrew officiated.
Together, the couple bore one known daughter, Charlotte Walker.
Charles served in the U.S. Army during World War II, attaining the rank of TEC 4.
As of 1950-1951, they were in Leavenworth, KS, where he was employed as a hospital attendant with the U.S. Veterans Administration, and she as a clerk at a five-and-dime store. By 1955, they may have moved to Lawrence, KS.
Their final years were spent in Southern California, accompanied by Virginia's mother. When the mother died on Aug. 12, 1971, the Walkers dwelled in Anaheim and were named in her Anaheim Bulletin obituary.
At the age of 73, Charles passed away in Garden Grove, Orange County, CA on Aug. 28, 1989. His remains sleep for all time in Riverside (CA) National Cemetery.
Virginia outlived her spouse by a decade. She surrendered to the angel of death on Feb. 7, 2000.
Daughter Charlotte L. Walker (1944- ? ) was born in about 1944 in Kansas and spent her early years in Leavenworth, KS. Nothing more about her is known.
Copyright © 2011, 2017, 2024 Mark A. Miner