DEATH OF MR. J. C. WALKER.
The news of the death of Mr. J. C. Walker, the well-known stock and
station agent and cattle salesman, will be received with sincere
regret by his numerous friends and acquaintances, not only in this
district, but throughoutthis and the neighboring colonies.
The deceased gentleman was born at Charlton King's, Gloucester, England,
in 1829, his father being the Rev. James Walker, rector of
All Saints' Church there.
In 1841 he came out to the colonies with his parents, arriving in Launceston.
After a brief sojourn in Tasmania they proceeded to Sydney, where they landed
on New Year's Day, 1843.
His father opened the first Grammar School in Parramatta, and there young
Walker finished his education.
When he grew up to manhood he entered into squatting pursuits, and owned the
Cockitijong Station, on the Billabong, New South Wales.
In 1855 he undertook the general management of the celebrated Bogot
estates on the Murray and Lachlan rivers, and successfully
carried them on for some time.
When the Bendigo cattle market was established he joined the firm of
Messrs. Ryan and Hammond, cattle saleamen, of Melbourne, and established
a branch business here. The firm subsequently was taken over by Messrs. Walker
and Greaves, and afterwards the business was carried on solely by Mr. Walker
under the style of Messrs. J. C. Walker and Co. The firm has branches in
Melbourne, Rochester and Elmore.
About six months ago Mr. Walker was seized with a serious illness,
one of his feet being affected so badly that he had to go to Melbourne
and undergo an operation in Dr. Fitzgerald's private hospital.
He appeared to improve considerably after the operation, but the
family decided to remove from Bendigo and took up their residence in Armadale,
one of the metropolitan suburbs. The patient improved to such an extent
that he was able to be taken home. He, however, experienced a relapse and
had to return to Dr. Fitzgerald's institution, and about a week ago
he was seized with a paralytic stroke, and it soon became apparent to those
who were permitted to see him that the end was not distant. The patient
retained his mental faculities up to the last.
It was only on Wednesday that he executed a deed of gift of all his property
in favor of his wife, and arranged that the business should be carried on by
her and Messrs. Cordner and W. Reynell, who have had the management of the
Melbourne and Bendigo branches of the business respectively for some time past.
The deceased passed away quietly shortly after noon yesterday.
The funeral takes place this afternoon, leaving his late residence at 3 o'clock.
Mr. A. M. Lloyd, the veteran inspector of the municipal cattle yards, a very
old and close friend of the deceased's, and Mr. Reynell, will leave Bendigo
by the express train this morning for Melbourne in order to attend the funeral
The deceased gentleman was deservedly held in high esteem by all who knew him,
and possessed a great reputation for strict integrity and straightforwardness
in all his business transactions.
The wealthy squatter, the late Mr. L. M'Bean, who was accidentally killed
some two or three years back, had by his will appointed Mr. Walker as one
of the executors of his extensive estates.
As a judge of cattle Mr. Walker had few equals in the colony. He
was a genuine sportsman, and for many years occupied the position of treasurer
of the V.R.C.
He was also a life member of the Bendigo Jockey Club, of which he had been
president for three years, and afterwards held office for many years as
steward and committeeman. When the news of the death reached
Bendigo yesterday afternoon, the secretary, Mr. John Hemming, on behalf of
the club, forwarded to the widow and family a handsome wreath of flowers, to
which was attached the memo.:?"With deepest sympathy, from president, stewards,
committee and officials, Bendigo Jockey Club."
The deceased gentleman was a warm supporter of mining, and was a director
in the Windmill Hill, Bendigo and Coolgardie and other companies.
At the half-yearly meeting of the Bendigo and Coolgardie Co. yesterday,
the chairman, Mr. M. Thomas, expressed his sorrow at hearing of the death
of his late colleague.
The deceased had been a most enthusiastic and energetic director, and had
taken the deepest interest in the company. They all sincerely
sympathised with the widow and family in the loss they had sustained.
Mr. J. Sternberg, M.L.C., said that all were agreed that in the
death of Mr. Walker the board had sustained an irreparable loss, and he
moved that a letter of condolence be forwarded to the widow and
family in their sad bereavement. Mr. A. Beeson seconded the motion, which
was carried unanimously.
The deceased gentleman married Miss Broughton, a member of a very old and highly
respected family of New South Wales. He leaves a widow and grown up family of three
sons and five daughters.