J. F. Walden

J. F. Walden is a son of Jesse Walden, who came to Owen County in 1828, and remained for many years, part of which time he farmed near Rattlesnake Creek in Washington Township. In 1850, he removed to Vigo County where he farmed for several years. J. F. Walden, the youngest child in the family, was born in Owen County September 7 1848, and was reared in Vigo County until in his fifteenth year. He worked in a livery stable in Terre Haute for two years, and was then employed in the mercantile business as clerk in Knightsville, Clay County. After four years he learned the barber's trade, and followed it in Clay County for some time. In 1875 he came to Spencer and worked at various employments for three years. He then opened a barber shop in the old post office block which he ran until July, 1883. He is at present doing a lucrative business in Spencer on the north side of square. In 1876 he was married to Mary, a daughter of Zylphia Boon, one of the first colored residents of Owen County. Mr Walden is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and politically he is a Republican.

Source: Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana: Historical and Biographical, 1884. Edited by Charles Blanchard