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| WILLIAM H. WALKER, undertaker and funeral director, Big Rapids, was born in Commerce Tp., Oakland Co., Mich., and is the son of Justin and Lucinda (Wilkins) Walker. He passed the years prior to attaining his majority on his father's farm and attending school. On reaching the age of 21 years he entered the college at Kalamazoo, and took a preparatory course of study, and after two years went to Normal, Ill., and there attended the State Normal School 18 months. Having fitted for the position of an instructor, he entered upon the duties of that calling, which he discharged four years and then became a music teacher, of which he has made a special study at Normal, under the instructions of Prof. C. M. Cady. He has spent 20 years of his life as a teacher of vocal music, operating at many places in Michigan and in several of the Western States. After leaving school at Kalamazoo, Mr. Walker made a prospecting journey through the West and Southwest which occupied about eight months. In 1878, he located at Berlin, Ottawa Co., bought five acres of land, and a wagon and a blacksmith shop, which he still owns and manages, employing three men. He has a fine residence on his miniature farm of five acres, where his family live. He has made a specialty of bee culture, his location being peculiarly adapted to the purpose. At times he has had upwards of 200 colonies in stock, and his apiary now includes about 75. Mr. Walker came to Big Rapids in May, 1883, and formed a partnership with J. Stillwell & Son, in the furniture business. The relation terminated July 9, following, by his sale of claim to Charles Stilwell, when he established his present business enterprise in the basement of the Furniture Block. He holds a stock of $1,000 in burial cases and caskets and has a very fine hearse. Mr. Walker was married in Ottawa Co., Mich., March 25, 1865, to Marion, daughter of Loren and Mary Oviatt, born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, Dec. 11, 1842. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Walker are Allen J., Mary and Lula. The musical abilities of the father have every promise of reproduction in the children, as each gives evidence of more than ordinary capacity in that respect. |