The Walker Family of Warren, Pennsylvania

The Walker family in Warren, Pennsylvania, is descended from old England stock, there having been several immigrants of this name coming from Great Britain to the new world during the early colonial period. Their descendants are scattered throughout the New England states and the middle states, and the name has been conspicuous in the history of the country both in colonial and later times. The name of Captain Richard Walker, immigrant ancestor of one of the most prominent branches of the family in America, is found on the records of Lynn, Massachusetts, as early as 1630, when he was ensign of the local military company. There is no doubt that he was of English descent. He was made a freeman in 1634, and his burial at Lynn is recorded in 1687. His descendants are to be found throughout New England, principally in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. One of the most noted was the Rev. Timothy Walker, who became the first settled pastor of Pennacook, later known as Rumford, now Concord, New Hampshire. He was graduated from Harvard in 1725, and appointed to the pastorate of Concord some years later. His influence was a powerful one because of his ability and learning and his solicitude for the temporal and spiritual welfare of his flock. His son:

1. Timothy Walker, Colonel, was active during the revolutionary war and earned distinction in that struggle.

From that time until the present the members of this line have ever been patriotic and eminent citizens.

Another immigrant from Great Britain of this name was Andrew Walker who, with wife and two sons, came from Londonderry, Ireland, in 1714, and settled at Billerica, Massachusetts. He was a descendant of the Rev. George Walker, rector of the parish of Donoughmore, and was one of the leaders of the besieged inhabitants of Londonderry in 1689. A man of great force of character, his descendants have been characterized by the same energy and strength of intellect.

Sons of Andrew Walker:

1. Two unnamed sons.

Another branch of the family was established in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1700, by Archibald Walker, who came from Scotland. His descendants are also to be found throughout New England, mainly in Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, though some have migrated as far west as California. Others of this name have come to America at various periods, have prospered and multiplied, and filled posts of eminence and responsibility in the history of the country within the last two centuries.

(I) John Walker

John Walker, the immediate progenitor of the Pennsylvania family, was probably a native of Vermont, removing to Delaware county, New York, where he died at Hambletville, about 1866, being then eighty-one years of age. He located on a farm of eighty acres on Cold Spring creek, about one mile from the Delaware river, and was also engaged in the lumber business. A devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church, he was an ardent worker in its behalf and was especially interested in the work of the Sunday school because of his love for children. He was a man of generous build and of most amiable disposition. In public life he was an old line Whig, and was an able and enthusiastic politician. He married Betsey Styles, of Scotch descent and of an old Massachusetts family, and who died at the age of eighty-six years. Her father was in active service during the revolution. Children:

1. Fayette Walker, died at the age of eighty-one.
2. Aaron Styles Walker (see forward).
3. Eunice Walker.
4. Betsey Walker.
5. Darius Walker.
6. Phoebe Walker.
7. Katherine Walker.
8. Esther Walker.
9. Leonard Walker.
10. _____ Walker. Daughter who died young.

(II) Aaron Styles Walker

Aaron Styles, son of John and Betsey (Styles) Walker, was born on the old homestead in Delaware county, New York, in 1820. Early in life he was a farmer, but later became a successful stone mason. He became employed by the Erie Railroad Company, doing contract work for them, and about 1853 removed to Jamestown, New York, where he made contracts in his line of business for the construction of the Atlantic & Great Western railroad, which today is one of the main Erie lines. At the end of five years he returned to his old home and engaged in the wood business. At this time all locomotives used wood as fuel, and Mr. Walker furnished a large amount of wood for the Erie railroad, in the doing of which he cleared a large tract of land. In 1867 he came to Sheffield, Warren county, Pennsylvania, worked at his former trade, and built the stone work for the erection of the Horton & Crary tannery. For some time he resided at Stoneham, then removed to Warren, where he resumed his contract work. He took part in the Interstate or anti-rate war, and was a Democrat in politics, although never active in political affairs. He was reared in the Methodist Episcopal church, and died about 1895. Mr. Walker married (first) Elizabeth Hamblet, born in Delaware county, New York, daughter of Daniel and Phoebe (Underwood) Hamblet; she died at the age of thirty-five years, and was buried in Hambletville. Mr. Walker married (second) Betsey Lee, of Chautauqua, New York. Children:

1. Orrin Elliott Walker, child of first marriage, born 1847, married Loretta Whittaker, and resides in Topeka, Kansas.
2. Stella Ophelia Walker, child of first marriage, deceased, married George W. Cogswell.
3. Silas Ellsworth Walker, child of first marriage (see forward).
4. Mary Ellen Walker, child of first marriage, married (first) Henry Palmer, (second) John A. Bell; has a son by the first marriage:
   1. George C. Palmer.
5. Edward Walker, child of first marriage, a sketch of whom appears in this work.
6. Elisha D. Walker, child of second marriage, who is married and has two children:
   1. Wallace Walker
   2. Guy I. Walker

(III) Silas Ellsworth Walker

Silas Ellsworth, son of Aaron Styles and Elizabeth (Hamblet) Walker, was born May 11, 1851. Until the age of sixteen years he lived on the home farm, then came to Warren county and learned the trade of a plasterer and stone mason at Stoneham. He was thus engaged until 1876, when the oil excitement arose and he entered into the oil business, in which he was engaged for one and a half years, then, after one year spent in Bradford, he left there and entered into the meat business in association with George W. Cogswell. In 1880 he sold his interest in this enterprise and engaged in a contracting oil business in Clarendon. He was elected constable in the borough of Warren in 1883, and served in 1884-85-86. In the latter year he resigned from office and was appointed deputy revenue collector for Warren, Elk, Cameron and McKean counties, and served under the first administration of Grover Cleveland. He was recommended by Congressman W. L. Scott, and was appointed under three different collectors. He served three years and ten months as collector of internal revenue. He again engaged in the oil business, in Cherry Grove, and then returned to the contract plastering business.

Mr. Walker commenced the publication of The Democrat in 1893, published it until 1900, then sold it to the Sibley Democrats, and August 13, 1900, commenced the publication of The Times, which is today the leading publication of its kind in the entire state, and occupies its own building, a fine brick structure. The paper was started by a stock company with $3,000, but has assumed dimensions of considerable magnitude, both as to value and influence. Mr. Walker has purchased and owns the entire stock of the plant, which is equipped with all modern and up-to-date facilities for the getting out of a daily paper. It is also published weekly. They produce a seven-column paper and use a Goss semi-rotary and linotype machine. It has a circulation of between thirty-five and thirty-six hundred. Mr. Walker built up this paper against strong opposition and deserves much credit for the enterprise and perseverance he has shown in this undertaking. The sheet is newsy and fearless, yet at the same time fair. He is a member of North Star Lodge No. 241, F. and A. M.; Occidental Chapter No. 235, R. A. M.; Warren Commandery No. 63, K. T.; Zem Zem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.; and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Mr. Walker married, August 29, 1878, Cinderella Jane Dalrymple, born in Conewango township, Warren county, Pennsylvania, April 6, 1853 (see Dalrymple V). She was educated at the public schools and at Chamberlin Institute, Randolph, New York, and after graduation taught for several terms in Warren county. Since her marriage she has become one of the most prominent and influential women in this section of the state. She is active in every movement for the advancement of the interests of the county and the preservation of the old traditions. She is a member of Tidioute Chapter, Daughters of the Revolution, in which body she has served as vice-regent, and was one of the prime movers in the organization of General Joseph Warren Chapter, being a charter member. She was elected regent in this chapter, an office she is still holding. She was also one of the prime movers in the erection of the monument to the memory of the revolutionary soldiers, and to General Joseph Warren, and was chairman of the monument committee, and carried to completion the beautiful memorial. The funds were liberally contributed by the citizens of Tidioute and Warren and the country in general. Mrs. Walker is now taking an active part in raising the necessary amount to erect a fountain and beautify the park on the river front. She is a member of the Presbyterian church and of the Blue Stocking Club. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have children:

1. Richard Orrin Walker, born November 1, 1879, is associated with his father as a member of the editorial staff of The Times
2. Ross Aaron Walker, also a member of the editorial staff of The Times, was born July 24, 1882, and married Nellie Walsh
3. William Allen Walker, born August 29, 1885
4. Sarah Eleanor Walker, born February 4, 1892, is a member of the Daughters of the Revolution.

The Dalrymple Line

This is one of the oldest and most famous of the historic families of Scotland, the name being prominent in the civil and military affairs of the country for many centuries. Among the most noted members of the family in the old country was James Dalrymple, first Viscount Stair, who was an eminent statesman and jurist. He was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, 1619, son of James Dalrymple, of Stair, and became the ancestor of many distinguished men. He was appointed judge of the court of sessions under Cromwell, having previously held the chair of philosophy in the University of Glasgow. He published authoritative works on Scottish law and, being exiled in Holland on account of his refusal to take the test oath in 1681, returned with the Prince of Orange in 1688 and was raised to the peerage as Viscount Stair. His son:

1. John Dalrymple, became the first Earl of Stair, and was made secretary of state, incurring great odium by his complicity in the massacre of Glencoe, of which he was considered the chief author. His son:
   1. John Dalrymple, was known as the great General Dalrymple. He served as aide-de-camp to the Duke of Marlborough in Flanders, succeeded to his father’s title as Earl of Stair, and later became commander-in-chief of the forces of Great Britain. He died without issue in 1747.

John Dalrymple, F. R. S., was a celebrated London surgeon and oculist, an authority in natural history, and died in 1852. Sir John Dalrymple, of Cranston, of an earlier period, was a famous Scottish lawyer and author, who died at the commencement of the last century. Alexander Dalrymple, an eminent Scottish hydrographer, of the same period, served in the East India Company and published charts of the sea. David Dalrymple, a celebrated writer and historian, whose title was Lord Hailes, published, 1779, “The Annals of Scotland,” a work which Dr. Johnson highly commended. Members of this family have been eminent in many walks and have left their influence upon every branch of public life in the country which gave them birth.

(I) Andrew Dalrymple

Andrew Dalrymple, the first of the family to come to America, was born near Drummerchut, Scotland, 1684, emigrated to Ireland, then to America, settling in Worcester county, Massachusetts. Children:

1. John Dalrymple.
2. Andrew Dalrymple.
3. David Dalrymple (see forward).
4. Sarah Dalrymple.
5. Barbara Dalrymple.
6. Polly Dalrymple.

(II) David Dalrymple

David, son of Andrew Dalrymple, was born at Belfast, Ireland, 1709. He emigrated with his parents to America in 1713, became a farmer in Worcester county, and died in 1807. He married Susannah Ellison, of Scotch descent, and his four eldest sons served in the revolutionary war. Children:

1. William Dalrymple, born in Massachusetts, June 4, 1751
2. John Shepard Dalrymple, born in Massachusetts, September 15, 1753
3. Susannah Dalrymple, born September 27, 1754
4. Andrew Dalrymple, born in Massachusetts, September 10, 1756
5. Dorothy Dalrymple, born in Pennsylvania, May 25, 1759
6. David Dalrymple (see forward)
7. Hannah Dalrymple, born January 10, 1764
8. Mark Dalrymple, born at Silver Creek, New York, December 29, 1769
9. Hercules Dalrymple, born at Silver Creek, October 3, 1771
10. Luke Dalrymple, born at Stockton, New York, June 6, 1773.

(III) David (2) Dalrymple

David (2), son of David (1) and Susannah (Ellison) Dalrymple, was born in Pennsylvania, March 12, 1762. He was a soldier in the revolutionary war. He married Mary Corning. David Dalrymple married (second) Polly Richardson Fairbanks.

Children:

1. Hark Dalrymple, child by Mary Corning.
2. Mark Dalrymple, child by Mary Corning.
3. Luke Dalrymple, child by Mary Corning.
4. John Dalrymple, child by Mary Corning.
5. Barbara Dalrymple, child by Mary Corning.
6. Prudie Dalrymple, child by Mary Corning.
7. Annie Dalrymple, child by Mary Corning.
8. William Dalrymple, child by second wife.
9. Lydia Dalrymple, child by second wife.
10. Ephraim Dalrymple, child by second wife.
11. Corning Dalrymple, child by second wife (see forward).

(IV) Corning Dalrymple

Corning, son of David (2) Dalrymple, was born in Vermont. He came to Pennsylvania and settled at Yankeebush, in Warren county, purchasing a tract of land which he cleared and on which he resided until his death at the age of seventy-nine. He was married probably a little after 1820, to Polly Goodenough. Children:

1. Truman Dalrymple.
2. Alvina Dalrymple.
3. Clorinda J. Dalrymple.
4. Richard William Dalrymple (see forward).
5. Orrin Dalrymple.
6. Lodema Dalrymple.
7. Lavina Dalrymple.
8. Austin Dalrymple (died young).
9. Austin Dalrymple.

(V) Richard William Dalrymple

Richard William, son of Corning and Polly (Goodenough) Dalrymple, was born March 12, 1831, and died in 1876. He was reared on the farm, receiving such education as the schools of the day afforded. When thirty years of age he ventured into the oil business and built the first refinery in the Warren oil fields. Previously he had been engaged in the merchant tailoring business at Pithole, Venango county, which he sold out. After some time devoted to oil refining and boating it down the river, he disposed of his interests and entered upon the tobacco trade, having a store, and commenced speculating in oil. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Methodist Episcopal church.

He married, June, 1852, Sarah Jane Kitchen, born in Scotland, January 1, 1834, daughter of Alexander and Margaret (McLean) Kitchen, the name being a well known one in Scotland, where Alexander was a distinguished civil engineer and a graduate of the University of Edinburgh. One of his brothers was the Rev. James Kitchen, rector of a parish in London, England, and another is John Kitchen, a skilled iron worker. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Kitchen emigrated to America, bringing with her several of her children, and uniting by letter with the Presbyterian church in this country. Two of her sons became residents of Warren county, and the family is well represented in the present generation by several of the county’s most esteemed citizens. Among the children of Mr. and Mrs. Kitchen were:

1. Alexander Kitchen.
2. Margaret Kitchen.
3. James Kitchen.
4. John Kitchen.
5. Charles Kitchen.
6. William Kitchen.
7. Robert Kitchen.
8. Sarah Jane Kitchen, who married Mr. Dalrymple at the age of sixteen years, and died April 28, 1901.

Mr. and Mrs. Dalrymple had children:

1. Cinderella Jane Dalrymple, mentioned above (see Walker III).
2. Eurial E. Dalrymple, born July 2, 1855.
3. Burt L. Dalrymple, November 30, 1869.

See: Genealogy of the Allegheny Valley Pennsylvania

Source

Jordan, J. W. 1840-1921. (1913). Genealogical and personal history of the Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania. New York: Lewis Historical Pub. Co.

This genealogy is based upon the source cited above. Only the structure and formatting have been changed for clearer presentation; the genealogical and biographical content has been preserved.