Walker, John Shanks (1855-1910)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1911

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by J.B.

Mr. John S. Walker of the Duke Street Society, in the Doncaster Second Circuit, was called away with startling suddenness on Tuesday, 19th April last, at the age of 55 years. He was born at Brandesburton, near Beverley, and as a boy attended the Wesleyan School there. He came as a youth of twenty to work in the Railway Plant at Doncaster, and remained there to the time of the illness of a few days’ duration which terminated in his death. 

His earliest religious impressions were received through visiting a house, which was a portion of our Duke Street property, and hearing the testimonies at the class meeting, which was held in “the upper room.” His conversion took place at an open-air service conducted by Dr. Christie Wilson’s mission workers, and he immediately joined our Duke Street Society. For some twenty-six years he was an acceptable local preacher in the Circuit, making a beginning in this direction by taking work in association with the Mission Band. 

As a man, he was of a very energetic type; having no lazy moments, but filling up his evenings with useful pastimes of some profitable description or other. As a preacher he had a distinct contribution to offer to the congregations, a message thought out, put together, and delivered in his own unique and forceful style. He was a preacher who delighted in children, and hence one whom the children always welcomed. And as an open-air speaker he excelled. The Circuit generally misses him and feels keenly the loss it has sustained in his departure. 

We assure the widow who mourns his loss, and the six daughters also left behind, of our truest sympathy. They have lost a husband and a father of the highest possible order, and the Circuit has lost one of its most reliable local preachers.

Family

John was born in late 1854 at Brandesburton, Yorkshire, to parents George Walker, a cordwainer (1861), and Anne Shanks.

Census returns identify the following occupations for John.

• 1871 farm servant 
• 1881 machine man (e&M) (loco department)
• 1891 railway machine labourer
• 1901 shaping machine minder railway loco shop

He married Mary Harrison (1854-1943) in late 1876 in the Doncaster Registration District, Yorkshire.  Census returns identify six children. 

• Sarah Elizabeth (1877-1970) – married Thomas Isaac Weetman, a blacksmith (1901), in 1900
• Annie (b1878) – married Alfred Hyde, a machine hand at wagon works (1911), in 1899
• Mary Ann (b1881) – married Archie Beresford, a coal miner, in 1901
• Matilda (1883- – laundry packer (1911)
• Lily (1884-1947) – married Herbert Lindley, colliery surface scree hand (1939), in 1916
• Ellen (1889-1976) – laundry packer (1911); married James William Shimelds, a railway works boiyersmith (1939), in 1917

John died on 19 April 1910 at Doncaster, Yorkshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1911/78

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers