WALKER, Benjamin K. 1833-1895

WALKER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/12/2026 at 13:33:42

Benjamin Knight Walker
(May 15, 1833 – September 22, 1896)

Worth County Index, Northwood, Iowa, Thurs., Sep 24, 1896, p.4
Yesterday noon the Northwood relatives of Mr. B. K. Walker received this sorrowing dispatch, dated Colorado Springs, September 23rd, “Your Uncle B. K. died last night. Paralysis of the heart. Think we shall bury here. Will some of you come?” Nothing more, and nothing further had been heard up to the hour of going to press this morning; but that brief and unexpected message has been sufficient to bring deepest sorrow to many a heart. Messrs. C. F. Littlefield and C. H. Walker answered the summons with which the message closed by leaving for Colorado Springs by yesterday afternoon’s express.
Benjamin Knight Walker was born in Limington, York County, Maine, May 15, 1833. He was brought up on his father’s farm, received an academical education in his native town, and afterwards studied for two years at Waterville College, but did not complete the college course, owing to failing health. In May 1857 he came west, after a brief stay at Osage, located at Bristol in this county. In the fall of ’57 he was chosen to the office of Clerk of Courts which office he held until 1862. Meanwhile, in August 1859 at Sanford, Me., he was married to Abbie J., daughter of Stephen and Eveline Merrill, the former still living, at Osage, Iowa. In the fall of 1869 Mr. Walker was elected county auditor which office he held for three consecutive terms, till 1876. Upon his retirement from that important office he devoted himself to the real estate business which had previously received such of his attention as was consistent with the most faithful discharge of public duty. In 1891, after a long and patient struggle with a growing malady, asthma, Mr. Walker closed out his extensive business here and betook himself to Colorado Springs, where he dealt in real estate and Cripple Creek mining stock, amassing a comfortable fortune. For many of the facts of the foregoing sketch we are indebted to the History of Worth County. Other facts not stated here but which are well known to us and to all the older settlers of the county may properly be stated here. Very few men who have ever lived in Worth County were more widely known or universally respected then Mr. Walker. Though what people call “set in his ways” he was almost invariably set right. He was one of nature’s noblemen, a true friend to the poor, a man of great kindness of heart, infinite patience and incorruptible honor. He leaves a memory which smells sweet and will blossom in the dust.