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WALKER, William
(Cir 1792-1864)

BONSEL, Catherine
(Cir 1790-1872)

BATTERS, Father of Isabella Otter -
(Cir 1800-)

OTTER, Elizabeth
(1804-)

WALKER, William
(1822-1903)
OTTER, Isabella (Mary)
(1828-1902)

WALKER, John Thomas
(1848-1925)

 

Family Links

Spouses/Children:
1. EDDY, Mary

2. BERRYMAN (FORMERLY PEARCE), Anne

WALKER, John Thomas

  • Born: 11 Mar 1848, UK
  • Marriage (1): EDDY, Mary on 20 Aug 1872 in Res of Mrs Eddy, Wistow Dist Mt Barker
  • Marriage (2): BERRYMAN (FORMERLY PEARCE), Anne on 22 Nov 1893 in Res of Mrs Annie Pearce Kooringa
  • Died: 14 Jul 1925, North Adelaide South Australia at age 77
  • Buried: 16 Jul 1925, West Terrace Cemetery
picture

bullet  General Notes:




Emigration

Emigrated from Lincolnshire Via Plymouth on the ship Catherine in 9th February 1851 arriving at Port Adelaide 27May1851.
William Walker is listed as a labourer.
Listed as a family - John Thomas is registered on the Ships log as 2 years and Elizabeth 2 months.
Also listed on the same voyage also of Lincoln are:
Thomas Walker (Age 26 - B1825) labourer and Charlotte Walker (Age 28 - B1823) - Listed as a family
George Walker (Age 19 - B1832+-) labourer - Listed as a single man.
The B number on the ship's list for William Walker's family and Thomas Walker's family is 1661/3 and George as 1660/1

Biographical Index of South Australians 1836 -1885
1. "WALKER John Thos par: Wm & Isabella nee Otto b:11.03.1848 d:20.07.1925 arr 1851 Catherine."
Note: The date of death above is incorrect according to John Thomas' headstone he died 14th July 1925.

2. "WALKER John Thos d: after 1907 arr by 1874 occ: Draper, Bootmaker, Warehouseman and others res Mt Barker, Burra, Kooringa, Jamestown m: Unknown Ch: Florence (1872-) Clarence Wellesley (1874-), a son, Alfred Leslie (1877-) Louis Randolph (1879-) Oswald Gilbert (1881-) Walter Herbert , son."

THE CYCLOPEDIA OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA 1907-09
Page 465

"WALKER & SONS, general drapers, clothiers, boot importers, and general furnishers, Market Square, Kooringa. This business,which was originally established by Mr. J. T. Walker (to whom reference is made elsewhere in this work), is one of the largest and most important of its kind in the district. The major portion of the goods are imported direct from England, Europe, and Japan; and the premises, situated in Market Square, in the heart of the town, are stocked with a very large and varied assortment of drapery, furnisher, etc.,the stock of boots and shoes in particular being second to none in the North of the State."

Note
The Walker's store in Market Square, Koolunga, Burra opened in 1873 - this is confrimed by 1925 photos clearly displaying "Established in 1873".
In 1884 when Florence was enrolled at the Burra School John Walker's occupation was recorded as "Bootmaker" and residence was "Chapel Street, Kooringa" but by 1896 when Eugenie Grace was enrolled at the same school he was recorded as "John Thomas Walker, Draper, Chapel Street, Kooringa".

Page 542

"WALKER & SONS, boot, shoe and warehousemen, Alexander Street, Port Pirie. This business was established at Port Pirie in 1897 by Mr. John Thomas Walker, a well-known figure in commercial circles throughout the Northern districts of South Australia. He first opened in business at Mount Barker, removing there to the Burra, where he founded a similar concern in 1877. He also commenced operations at Broken Hill, and the first stone shop building in Argent Street was erected by the gentleman. In 1907 he retired from active commercial life, leaving his various business enterprises in the hands of his sons, seven in number. The large warehouse in Alexander Street, Port Pirie is conducted by Messrs. Walter Herbert and Louis Randolph Walker. The premises which are constructed of stone and brick, occupy a favourable position in the busiest part of town, and comprise a double fronted store, which is thoroughly stocked with boots, shoes and clothing. A specialty is made of gentlemen's mercery, and the firm claims to carry the largest and best-assorted stock of footwear in Port Pirie. Mr. Walter Herbert Walker takes a prominent interest in athletics and sport generally; while his brother identifies himself with various other local functions, being the winner of the chess tournament in 1907, on which occasion he came out victorious in twelve games out of thirteen, and has also carried off prizes in the competitions held in connection with the Port Pirie show for elecutionery efforts."

Extracts from the Burra Record relating to the Walker Family
I. 27. 3 January 1879
"J.T. Walker
Boot & Shoemaker, Commercial St, Kooringa"

I. 32. 7 February 1879 Page 2
"Accident. A younger son of J.T. Walker lost the end of a finger in the gears of a mangle on Monday."

II, 97, 7 May 1880, Page 2
"Advt.
J.T. Walker Boots & Shoes. The Aberdeen branch will close as from this week."

II, 102, 11 June 1880, Page 3
"Cricket.
Young Australians results for the year 1879-80.
Best batting was J. Walker, av. 30.5, but he played only two innings of a possible 5. The next best was J. Preece, av. 10.1 over three innings. W. Cobb with av. 1.6 was best bowler."

IV, 135, 28 January 1881, Page 2
"New Year's Eve
larrikinism.
Mark Gay was fined 40/- for injuring the shutters of Mr J.T. Walker's shop."

IV, 177, 18 November 1881, Page 2
"Notice.
The following will close their establishments on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. from 2 November 1881.
Samuel Drew & CoJ. & E. HoskingT. Edwards
J. A. WattRichard WardThomas Parks
James E. DowWilliam GeakeWilliam Anderson
John KellyJ.T. WalkerJ.C. Collins
A. TopperweinJ. Roberts
Assistants offer sincere thanks to the above and to Messrs Pearse & Son, C.C. Williams and W. Lasscock."

19 Oct. 1892, page 3
"Mr J. Jones left on Monday for Broken Hill to take charge of Mr J.T. Walker's business there. He will be missed in the Primitive Methodist Church and Sunday school."

53, 34, 24 Aug. 1932, page 3
Mr George Herbert
was entertained at Frank Harris's shop on Tuesday 16 August to congratulate him on 50 years work for J.T. Walker & Sons bootmakers. He was congratulated by the Mayor. Mr Herbert had been known as a footballer, cricketer and rifleman and now as a bowler. He was presented with a travelling bag. Mr A.L. Walker spoke in support. J.T. Walker had established the firm in 1872. William Walker (J.T.'s father) was a contractor on the Mt Barker railway and was responsible for several tunnels on the line and also for part of the northern line. After an expensive legal case which caused him expenses of £30,000 W. Walker took up farming at Red Hill. J.T. Walker learnt his bootmaking in Melbourne and later began business in Mt Barker, coming to Burra in 1873 and began in the premises now occupied by Mr Terry (tailor). All boots were then hand made. Mr G. Herbert joined the firm 14 August 1882 when they were employing as bootmakers Mr M. Pederson, Mr A. Topperwein, George Herbert, Joe Kellaway, Jim Kellaway, T. McInnes, F. Wilson and J.T. Walker. Mr Pederson was in charge of the workshop. They had branches at Jamestown, Terowie, Peterborough and Broken Hill. In 50 years they had never had a dispute or cross word with Mr Herbert. Mr Pederson said he was pleased to see George looking so strong and healthy after 50 years of work. C.J. Pearce added his congratulations. He remembered the Walkers when they started and their employees included Albert Oppermann and Bill Anderson. J. Drew recalled George as a youngster. He was always known as 'King' to his pals. G. Dane & E.J. Davey endorsed the remarks. Mr Herbert responded briefly (saying in passing that Mr Pederson taught the crowd their trade and was the manager).



Timeline For John Thomas Walker
1848 - Born Bourne, Lincolnshire
1851 -Travelled with parents and sister to South Australia aboard "Catherine"
c1852 Both ankles broken
1870 - Established his first business - Mt Barker, South Australia
1872 - Married at Mt Barker - Mary Eddy
Burra - The family history (written by Wells Mattinson Walker) states that the Burra store commenced operation in 1877 but the signage in photos of the store indicate this to be 1873.
I suspect that John Thomas and his father William travelled back and forth during this period.
William took up land at Redhill dist of Koolunga in 1874 but was engaged in road/rail building from Adelaide to Burra prior to this. I don't think the family settled at Burra until after the birth of Walter Herbert in Nov 1875. Mary's mother lived at Wistow in 1872 when she married John T and I suspect she would have provided support to Mary when her husband was away working.
1873 - Dau Born at Mt Barker - Florence Victoria
1874 - Son Born at Mt Barker - Clarence Wellesley (known as Wells)
1875 - Son Born at Mt Barker - Walter Herbert
1877 - Son Born at Burra - Alfred Leslie
1892 - Wife Mary dies suddenly in February at North Adelaide leaving 10 children (the youngest only 2 years old)
1893 - John marries Annie Pearce (nee Berryman) in November
1894 - Daughter Rita born at Kooringa, Burra
1897 - Daughter Rubelle born at Burra
1903 - Daughter Daphne born at Burra
1907 - John Thomas retired from commercial life



South Australian Deaths - Index of Registrations 1916 - 1972
"WALKER John Thomas (M) 77y stat (M) of Hyde Park d 14 Jul 1925 at Hyde Park dist Ade b480 p46".

Death
The following inscription from the "Deaths" page of the family bible of William & Isabella Walker reads:
"John T Walker July 1925"
It is unclear who recorded this entry. CW May 07

Obituary for J. T. Walker - Burra Record
22 July 1925, page 3 Obituary.
J.T. Walker died recently at Hyde Park aged 77. He was born inn
Lincolnshire and came to SA aged 2. At the age of 4 he had an accident
on a seesaw and had to use crutches for the rest of his life. He was
the son of William Walker, a contractor who built much of the
Burra-Adelaide railway line. He started business with a boot and
drapery shop in Mt Barker and moved to Burra 49 years ago. He also
established shops at Pt Pirie and Broken Hill. He retired 18 years
ago, disposing of his business to his seven sons. His first wife died
33 years ago. He was a keen gardener with a special knowledge of grape
vines. He leaves a widow and seven sons and five daughters: Alfred &
Oswald (Burra), Louis & Walter (Pt Pirie), Sydney & Bert (Broken Hill), Miss F.V. Walker (San Francisco), Miss R.D. & Miss R.E.
(Hyde Park) and Mrs J. Shanks (Hyde Park). There are 22 grandchildren.
[Died 14 July 1925.]

Note:
John Thomas was residing at Hyde Park before his death and according to his obituary so were "Miss R.D. & Miss R.E. (Hyde Park) and Mrs J. Shanks (Hyde Park)".
I wonder if they were all living together IN JT's home. Mrs Shanks was Eugenie Grace Walker - the youngest daughetr of JT & Mary Walker

Burial
The remains of John Thomas WALKER are buried with his first wife Mary, at West Terrace Cemetery.
Grave Site of :
John Thomas & Mary WALKER (nee Eddy) is Pz WW,, 5 at West Terrace Cemetery.
Turn left immediately behind main building.
It is marked with a tall white marble monument with a draped urn atop.
It is surrounded with white marble and dressed with crushed white stone.
CMW

Note:
West Terrace Burials

The information below came from the "Adelaide Cemeteries Authority"
"Grave 1
Mary, John Thomas & Sidney Walker are under grant number W4092
And
Walter Herbert & Winnifred Walker are under grant number W4092A
Both of these grants expired on 8/2/1991.
Grave 2
Florence & Lancelot are under grant number W3466.
This site expired on 23/4/1987.
If you are looking just extending the leases on both graves, and keeping the grant holder the same as now, you are looking at a fee of $11,550 on grave 1 and $5280 on grave 2 for a 50 year lease.
Transferring these sites to another family member, giving right to the site, we will need to prove relationship to the grant holder who is John Thomas by in the way of a will or birth or death certificate.
I hope this information helps you and if you wish to take this further, I would recommend contacting Garrath in our memorial office on 8139 7416 and he will assist you further."

Note:
The remains of Annie Walker formerly Pearce nee Berryman are buried at Centennial Park in a grave plot marked for reuse. Centennial Park have agreed not to reuse the plot until living family members can be located. To date I can not find offspring for any of Annie's daughters. CW 4June2007



picture

John married Mary EDDY, daughter of John EDDY and Grace MITCHELL, on 20 Aug 1872 in Res of Mrs Eddy, Wistow Dist Mt Barker. (Mary EDDY was born on 12 Jun 1851 in Adelaide, died on 6 Feb 1892 in North Adelaide South Australia 2 and was buried on 8 Feb 1892 in West Terrace Cemetery.)


bullet  Marriage Notes:





South Australian Marriages - Index of Registrations 1917-1937

"WALKER John Thomas 24y S(f William WALKER)m 20 Aug 1872 EDDY Mary 21y S (f John EDDY) at res of Mrs Eddy Wistow dist Mtb b92 p402".

Note
The entry from the "Marriages" page of the family bible of William and Isabella Walker reads:
" John Thomas Walker & Mary Eddy was married at my house near Redhill 1881".
It appears William Walker may have recorded this entry after the event. John T & Mary were married in 1872 at Wistow. CW May 2007.




picture

John next married Anne BERRYMAN (FORMERLY PEARCE), daughter of Richard BERRYMAN and Jane PELLEW, on 22 Nov 1893 in Res of Mrs Annie Pearce Kooringa. (Anne BERRYMAN (FORMERLY PEARCE) was born on 8 Jun 1860 in Springbank, Burra, South Australia, died on 8 Jan 1948 in Hyde Park, South Australia and was buried in Centennial Park, Adelaide SA.)


bullet  Marriage Notes:


South Australian Marriages - Index of Registrations 1842-1916

"WALKER John Thomas 45y W (f William WALKER) m 22 Nov 1893 PEARCE Annie 33y W (f Richard Berriman) at Res of Mrs Annie Pearce Kooringa dist Bur b177 p691."

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