Walker, Peter

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Birth

Peter Walker was born in Guilderland December 26, 1839, the son of the late Israel Walker. Other sources gives his birth date as September 26, 1844, but the census of 1850 give the 1839 year.

Education

Peter Walker received his early education at the district schools and later at Knoxville Academy.

Occupation

Peter Walker remained on the farm with his father until the death of the latter, except four years that he was manager of a general store at Altamont; since then he has remained on the farm. He was elected and filled the office of justice of the peace for twenty consecutive years (serving two years as justice of sessions), and resigning that office in 1893 to accept the office of supervisor of Guilderland. He was re-elected in 1894, and is now filling that office. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, St. George's Lodge of Schenectady, and a member of the Knights of Pythias.

Marriage & Children

Peter Walker married in December, 1870, Miss Eva Anna Keenholts, daughter of Andrew and Alida (Bloomingdale) Keenholts.

Death

Obituary

Peter Walker (B. 1844) Obituary - Altamont Enterprise — February 14, 1919

Peter Walker Died on Saturday

Was Supervisor of Town of Guilderland for Twenty Years 1893 to 1913

Prior to Becoming Supervisor He Was Justice of the Peace for Twenty Consecutive Years - Was in His 80th Year

Peter Walker of Dunnsville, well known farmer and old time Republican of the town of Guilderland, died at his home Saturday evening at 8 o'clock, after a long illness. The funeral services were held from his late home on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 12, at 2 o'clock. Rev. George W. Furbeck, pastor of the Altamont Reformed church, officiated. Interment at the old Guilderland cemetery.

Mr. Walker was born in Guilderland Sept. 26, 1839, and received his early education in the district school, and later was graduated from the Knoxvllle academy. His grandfather, Peter Walker, was also a native of the town and for many years held the office of justice of the peace. His father, Israel Walker, was born in the same town and became one of the town's most influential citizens and largest property owners.

In December, 1870, Peter Walker married Miss Evanna Keenholts, daughter of Andrew and Alida (Bloomingdale) Keenholts, who survives him.

When a young man Mr. Walker engaged as clerk in a general store at Knowersville owned by a man named Sanders, where he remained nearly four years. Later he engaged in farming, which he conducted successfully until his death.

Mr. Walker was one time chairman of the hoard of supervisors of Albany county, and he was a familiar figure at all Republican gatherings of consequence in the county for many years. He served int he board of supervisors from 1893 to 1913, looking after the interests of its town with zeal and devotion at all times. Prior to becoming supervisor he was justice of the peace for 20 consecutive years, during two years of which time he served as an associate of the county judge in the old Sessions Court.

Mr. Walker's activities la Republican polities were continued until as late as a year ago last fall, when h* was elected chairman of the Guilderland eaaess at which Frederick J. Van Wormer; the present supervisor, was r«. nominated.

Altamont Enterprise — February 14, 1919

Additional Media

Walker, Peter, one of the leading and prominent men of Guilderland, was born in that town September 26, 1844. He is the son of the late Israel Walker, who was also a native of the same town, a man of sterling qualities and a wise counselor, whose opinion was often sought in matters where questions both difficult and important were involved. When but eleven years of age he began to learn the trade of shoe- making which he followed for many years, but later devoted his attention to farming. His wife was Maria Van Valkenburgh, a daughter of Johakim and Rebecca Van Valkenburgh, who were also residents of this town. Side by side and hand in hand, they went together through life, and their industry and perseverance were rewarded by the accumulation of a good property. He died in 1887, his wife in 1894. The grandfather, Peter Walker, was also born in this town, and for many years held the office of justice of the peace. He afterward removed to the town of Knox, where his last years were spent. Mr. Walker received his early education at the district schools and later at Knoxville Academv. He remained on the farm with his father until the death of the latter, except four years that he was manager of a general store at Altamont; since then he has remained on the farm. He was elected and filled the office of justice of the peace for twenty consecutive years (serving two years as justice of sessions), and resigning that office in 1893 to accept the office of supervisor. He was re-elected in 1894, and is now filling that office. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, St. George's Lodge of Schenectady, and a member of the Knights of Pythias. In December, 1870, he was married to Miss Eva Anna Keenholts, daughter of Andrew and Alida (Bloomingdale) Keenholts.

Landmarks of Albany County, New York

-The selection of Mr. Peter Walker, supervisor of the town of Guilderland, as president of the Board of Supervisors, is a deserved recognition of the labors of a faithful and painstaking official. Mr. Walker has served the town with signal ability for several years and his labors in the Board have been such as to well merit the honor which his fellow members have seen fit to bestow upon him.

We congratulate Mr. Walker on his appointment and tbe Board in choosing one who will make a capable and unpartial presiding officer. The Albany Journal thus speaks of him:

Peter Walker was born in the town of Guilderland, December 26, 1844, and has lived in the town during his entire life, with the exception of four years, when he was a resident of Knox. Mr. Walker is a farmnr and has been active in tho government of his town. For two years he was justice of the sessions and for twenty years justice of the peace of the town of Guildurland. He has served seven years as its representative in the Board of Supervisors and ths results of sis efforts are manifest. He is a strong Republican. Mr. Walker is a member of St. George Lodge No. 6, P. & A. M.

Altamont Enterprise - May 11, 1900

1850 United States Federal Census about Peter Walker
Name: Peter Walker
Age: 11
Birth Year: abt 1839
Birthplace: New York
Home in 1850: Knox, Albany, New York
Gender: Male
Family Number: 313
Household Members:
Name Age
Israel Walker 41
Maria Walker 40
Peter Walker 11
Eliza Walker 9

Sources