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Mary Yokem - Rochester
Mary Helen Yokem began her life in Springfield, Illinois, graduating from Feitshans High School in 1966. She then headed for Chicago, and over the decades lived in various cities across the United States. She shares her stories about he relatives, the Walkers of Rochester - African Americans in a largely white community. She discusses the history of the family and their farm, dating from 1863, and their life in Rochester over the years.
Interview Links
Feature Except-Audio
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
Mary Yokem’s personal story
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
Photos
Caption
John A. (Ken) Walker was born in May 1853, and died in April 1924 in Rochester, Illinois.
Where:
Rochester, Illinois
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Alex Lena Scott Walker, who lived in Rochester from March 1895 to June 20, 1931.
Where:
Rochester, Illinois
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Frances L. (Morris) Buckner Walker was born in Missouri in October 1863. She died in 1930.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
The John Walker Farm was pictured in the Rochester Pictorial Album in 1918. Aaron Walker is in the buggy while John Walker is on the porch.
Where:
Rochester, Illinois
When:
1918
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Great Aunt Alice Walker Martin holds her son Jesse Martin and Alex Lena Scott Walker holds Dorothy Walker in 1922.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1992
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Hessie Jean Martin of Rochester, Illinois, circa 1929 when she was still a toddler.
Where:
Rochester, Illinois
When:
Circa 1929
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Edward Joseph Walker, Laura Brooks, Alice Martin, Yvonne
Where:
Rochester, Illinois
When:
1930's
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Students from Rochester’s Forest Grove School in 1934. Included were Irene Walker (front row, 5th from left), W.J. (Bill) Walker, front row, 3rf from left), Mary Lou Walker Yokem (middle row, 3rd from left) Dorothy Walker (top row, 2nd from left, and Frances Walker (top row, 5th from left).
Where:
Rochester, Illinois
When:
1934
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Irene Walker Dunlap, Frances Walker Draper and Mary Lou Walker Yokem while in Forest Grove Illinois in 1935.
Where:
Forest Grove, Illinois
When:
1935
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Bill Walker, circa 1937 while he lived in Rochester, Illinois. Born in 1929, he passed away in 2003.
Where:
Rochester, Illinois
When:
Circa 1937
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
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Caption
Back row: Mary Lou Walker Yokem (Mary’s mother), Irene Walker, unknown person. Middle row: Irene Walker, Frances Walker, unknown, children: Dorothy Walker, Margaret Berry, and unknown. Photo by Sec. of State photographer Doc Helm in 1945. Springfield, Illinois.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1945
Ownership:
Unknown
Caption
Maj Gen William J. Walker became the Commanding General for the District of Columbia national Guard on January 20, 2017. This is his official military photo.
Where:
Unknown
When:
January 20, 2017
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Far right-Brig. General William J. Walker, great-great grandson of John and Matilda Walker, with other family members in December 2018 at family reunion in Springfield, Illinois.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
December 2018
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Mary Helen Yokem at the time of the interview in March 2019.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
March 2019
Ownership:
ALPL Oral History Program photo
Caption
This marker is used to note the location of the John Walker farm. There is now a subdivision where the farm originally was located, now known as Florentine Acres in Springfield, Illinois.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo