[page 533] John H. Walkinshaw. Each community has a certain number of citizens to whom they point with pride as leaders in the activities which are foremost in the upbuilding and progress of the locality. In Blanchard John H. Walkinshaw is accounted one of the number for he is a man of unfaltering integrity, unabating industry and energy that never flags. These qualities have gained him success and leadership in business circles. He is now owner of the grain elevator and also the vice president of the First National bank of Blanchard.

His birth occurred in Guernsey county, Ohio, May 9, 1843, his parents being John and Margaret (Glasgow) Walkinshaw, who were early settlers of that county. His father was born in Ireland and when about three years of age was brought to the United States by his parents, John and Mary (Henry) Walkinshaw, who settled in Guernsey county, Ohio, where they resided until the fall of 1857, when they removed to Des Moines county, Iowa. Reared in the Buckeye state, John Walkinshaw, the father of our subject, there acquired his education and learned the miller's trade. After coming to Iowa he turned his attention to farming, which he continued to follow until called to his final rest, his death occurring at Morning Sun, Iowa, when he was seventy-five years of age. His wife, who was born in Scotland, came to the United States with her parents, Mr and Mrs. [page 534] Arthur Glasgow and died at the age of forty-two years. By her marriage she became the mother of the following children: James, deceased; Jane, who is the widow of Andrew McConaughy and lives in Superior, Nebraska; Maria, the wife of John Kilpatrick, of Des Moines county, Iowa; Hugh W., a resident of Page county; John H.; Margaret, the wife of Thomas Read, of California; Adam, who is living in Nebraska; Lemuel, whose home is in Stockton, California; Mary Ann, the wife of James Baird, of Des Moines county, Iowa; Arthur G., who lives at Santa Anna, California; and three who died in infancy.

John H. Walkinshaw resided in Guernsey county, Ohio, until about fourteen years of age and during that period mastered the elementary branches of learning as a pupil in the district schools. Subsequently he accompanied his parents to Iowa and in 1869 became a resident of Harlan township, Page county. He bought raw land there at five dollars per acre, improved it and built a house thereon, hauling the lumber from Hamburg. He lived there for about six years and on the expiration of that period sold his property for thirty dollars per acre. Removing to Atchison county, Missouri, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw land at seven dollars and a half per acre, improved the place and built thereon a house, hauling the lumber from Clarinda. There he lived for about twenty-six years and as his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of his farm from time to time until it comprised three hundred and sixty acres. The extent of his possessions was the indication of the success which came to him and which was the direct result of close application and unabating energy.

Following the death of his wife Mr Walkinshaw removed to Blanchard and about a year later became owner of a grain elevator. In 1898 he became associated with James C. McKee in establishing the present business which they conducted together until 1905 and then admitted Joseph D. McKee, a brother of James C. McKee, to a partnership. They handle grain and coal under the firm name of the Walkinshaw & McKee Brothers Elevator Company, of Blanchard and Elmo, Missouri. At the latter place they have another elevator and are closely and actively associated with the grain interests of this part of the country. A man of resourceful business ability, Mr Walkinshaw has extended his efforts into other fields. He is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Blanchard and is now its vice president. He never allows ordinary obstacles or difficulties to block his path but overcomes them by determined effort and perseverance, which ultimately enables him to reach the goal for which he is striving.

It was on the 29th of July, 1869, that Mr Walkinshaw was married to Miss Sarah McClellan, a daughter of William and Elizabeth McClellan, of Page county. They became the parents of the following children: William A., who is now living on a farm on the Iowa and Missouri state line, near Blanchard, is married and has five children. John A., who lives about a mile south of Blanchard in Missouri, married Sarah Henning and they have three children. Elizabeth C. is the wife of Orra Duncan, of Taylor county, Iowa, and they have five children. Jennie is the wife of John McKnight, of Kansas, and they have two children. Hannah is the wife of Wil[page 535]liam Henning, a resident of Blanchard, Missouri. Lois married Thomas Copeland and they reside in Nodaway county, Missouri. James L. married Hattie Cain and is living in Denver, Colorado, and Frank makes his home with his father. There were other children of that marriage who died in infancy. After losing his first wife Mr Walkinshaw married again, his second union being with Margaret Watson.

Mr Walkinshaw is a member of the Reformed Presbyterian church, in which he is serving as one of the elders. He was also one of its organizers, the church being established in 1877. Throughout the intervening years he has done good work as one of its faithful advocates, cooperating in every movement that tends to promote its growth and extend its influence. He has always been a public-spirited citizen and is entitled to wear the Grand Army button from the fact that he was a soldier in the Civil war, enlisting in Des Moines county, Iowa, on the 29th of July, 1863, as a member of Company D, Eighth Iowa Cavalry. He joined his regiment at Davenport, where he was mustered into the United States service. He was in camp there for about three months and then went to Nashville, Tennessee. The regiment was sent into winter quarters at Waverly, Tennessee, and did guard duty on railroads in that vicinity until February, 1864. He was then at Chattanooga and joined Sherman's "Bummers" at Cleveland, Tennesee, on the Atlantic campaign. The troops remained with that command until Atlanta was captured and then returned to Waterloo, where they continued until the 1st of April. They afterward did considerable skirmishing and finally arrived at Macon, Georgia, where they continued until the 1st of August, after which they were sent back to Clinton, Iowa. there Mr Walkinshaw was mustered out August 13, 1865. He was never wounded but was injured at Waverly, tennessee, when a team went over an embankment. In days of peace he has been equally as loyal to his county as when he followed the old flag on southern battlefields and his cooperation can always be counted upon to further any movement for the general good. His interests have never been self-centered but have extended to various movements and measures which have insured the continuous progress and upbuilding of the town and county.