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 (Written by Family and Submitted by Darrell R. Fransen) George Walker and son G. Frank came to Elk Township to file on homesteads in March of 1883. In September the family came and built their home on the SW of 11. The "big house" as it was called was 1 1/2 stories and contained three rooms. The work was all done by the family and was hard indeed. The cellar had to be dug with a pick because the ground was so hard. Five wells were hand-dug with a pick during that first winter in an attempt to find water. During this time water was hauled from a spring four miles away. This furnished home and livestock. Finally a good well was dug one-half mile from the house and water was hauled from there for twenty years. They went into the sheep business with fifty ewes. Wool sold for 6 or 7 cents a pound back then. They also raised horses and cattle. A larger house was built and a sheep barn. An artesian well was put down that supplies the house and yards with running water. G. Frank held the office of township and school clerk for many years. He worked in the treasurer's office in Onida for several winters and held the office of county auditor for two terms. H. married Ida Shepherd of Onida and they had one son Marion. G. Frank passed away March 30, 1904. Charles W., the second son took the office of township clerk after his brother died and in 1906 married his widow. They had a son Francis E. They lived on the ranch until they sold it in 1919 and moved to Highmore, where the boys could attend high school. Florence E. taught many terms of school in the east district, and two terms were taught in her claim shack which was more convenient for the pupils. One term she had the difficult job of teaching the Eagle children who could not speak English. She also taught in Highmore and in Minnesota. She married A.E. Van Camp of Highinore in 1909. The father, George Walker lived to be 80 and died at his daughter's home in Highmore in 1910. The Walker family bought much of the surrounding land to enlarge their holding. The Walker place was later occupied by Shaws, Singers, and Bob Mason. Walker Lake which was just south this place was named for the Walkers. The lake was drained in 1954. Ronald Rivenes purchased the place while Masons lived there. They tore down the old house and built a new one in 1949. Ronald and Ruth came from Richvalley Township with their four children and four more were born while they lived on this place. Their children are: Bonnie (Mrs. Alvin Winckler), who lives at Herried and has three children; Betty, Patty and Stan. Peggy married Barney LaFave and has three children: Dawn, Diane, and Terry. She lives in Teucemeari, New Mexico. Barney died in 1978. Ronnie married Janet Morford of Highmore and they have three children; Kenneth, Dennis a Vicki. They live in Onida, and farm. Larry lives in Wisconsin and has four children; Marlena, Juanita, Randy and Marim. Tom lives in Gillette, Wyoming and has two children: Brett and Tammy. Virginia (Mrs. Norman Wager of Lebanon) has four children: Joe, Brice, Jill, aLd Trish. Kay Mikkelson lives in Gillette and has four children: Ronnie, Angela, and T.J. Susan (Mrs. Jerry Cottril) has two children: Chad and Amy and lives at Nix, Missouri. Ronald and Ruth have retired and live in Rapid City. Native American Graphics by  |