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Sarah Almeda "Meda" Harmon was born November 21, 1881, near Cave City, in Independence County, Arkansas, the daughter of James Louis Harmon and Martha Jane Crow.
Meda was about eight years old when her family moved to near Tilly, in Smyrna Township of Pope County, Arkansas, about 1890. Meda grew up near Tilly.
Meda married Richard Christopher Omar Walker on October 28, 1895, in Yell County. Richard was 17 and Meda was only 13 at the time. James A. Michau, a grandson of Meda and Richard, said that he was told that Richard and Meda ran off to Yell County, Arkansas, to get married and that Meda wrote the number 18 on a piece of paper and put it in the bottom of her shoe, then when she was asked her age she replied that she was over 18.
Richard Walker was born July 1877, in North Carolina, the son of James Wesley Walker. Colleen Dixon Dahlmann (now deceased), a granddaughter of Richard Walker, said James Wesley Walker was the son of Buckner Walker and Salethy Freeland. Following is a story told by Colleen Dahlmann, about this family: "My grandfather's mother, who was Salethy Freeland before she married Buckner Walker, died on the trip west by wagon train when Grandfather (Richard) was three years old. His aunt, Sarah Ann Walker, who never married, had come with the family from Carolina and she raised him and his brothers. The story as told t me was that the Walkers had emigrated from Ireland because of the potato famine. The only two brothers Grandfather had, that my mother spoke of, were Marion Walker and Memory Walker. I don't know if there were any more brothers, but I know for a fact that he had no sisters. Mother said this wagon train was on the way to Texas where a cousin from Ireland had gone on before. At that time many people were going to Texas, but on the way Salethy became ill. They passed a place in the Ozarks, which was very beautiful, and she remarked, "What a beautiful place to be buried". Three days later she died and they made the long trip back to that spot and buried her there. I have heard they decided to stay in the Ozarks because it was so much like Ireland. The only other thing I know about Grandfather (Richard) was that he was a farmer and a poet and a preacher. He was not yet ordained, but the congregation wanted to send him to the seminary. He died before this could come about. Grandfather's nickname was "Irish" and he wrote a book on religion, finishing it before he died. The family had hoped to get it published but they had such a hard time. Grandmother was left with eight children to raise and they lost the manuscript; each one thought it was safe with someone else. The only other thing I know about the Walkers was that when Grandfather (Richard) started to preach, he changed his religion and his brothers were hurt and angry. They never healed, so after Grandfather died there was very little communication."
Richard and Meda settled near Tilly, in Pope County, to begin their family. They appear on the 1900 Pope County census living next door to Meda's parents. The census shows that Richard was a farmer who owned his property. Listed on the census with Richard and Meda were their daughters Martha I., age 3, and Pearlie M., age 1 year.
The 1910 Pope County census shows the family still living near Tilly. This census lists Richard, Meda and their children Martha I., age 12; Pearl M., age 11; Anna B., age 9; Grover L., age 7; Flossie, age 5; Charles, age 3; and Leoah, age 11 months. Edna Jewel, the youngest child, was not born until 1911.
Richard moved his family to Conway County, Arkansas, in late 1913 or very early 1914. They settled just west of Morrilton, where Richard farmed. Richard died there on December 21, 1914.
Meda later married Lee Riddling, but the marriage soon ended in divorce.
Meda raised her children in Conway County. The 1930 Conway County census, Welborn Township, shows Meda Walker, rented her farm, 48, widowed, married at 13; Grover, 24, single, a farmer; Flossie, 22, widowed; Charles, 20; Leah, 17; and Jewel, 15 years old.
Meda died March 23, 1931, at Morrilton, in Conway County, and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, near Morrilton.
(The date of birth recorded on both the 1900 and 1910 census records for the two oldest children does not agree with family records. We are using the dates obtained from family records.)
Children of Richard Walker and Meda Harmon
1. Martha Iva Walker, b. 1898, Pope Co, AR
2. Pearl Mae Walker, b. 1900, Pope Co, AR
3. Anna Belle Walker, b. Jan 3, 1901, Tilly, Pope Co, AR; d. 1929, Morrilton, Conway Co, AR; bur. Oak Grove Cem. near Morrilton; m. Paul Jordan. No children.
4. Grover Lewis Walker, b. 1902, Pope Co, AR
5. Flossie Walker, b. 1904, Pope Co, AR
6. Charles Walker, b. 1906, Pope Co, AR
7. Leoah Walker, b. 1909, Pope Co, AR
8. Edna "Betty" Jewel Walker, b. Feb 24, 1911, Tilly, Pope Co, AR; d. Nov 10, 1972; bur. Elmwood Cem. at Morrilton; m. Bill Collins who was b. 1908; d. May 27, 1955; bur. Elmwood Cem. No children.