Eli J. Walls was born in Scioto county, Ohio, November 12, 1827. He was reared upon a farm, and received his education in the common schools of the Buckeye State. He came to this county in 1845, and has resided here ever since engaged in farming and stock-raising, in which pursuits he has been very successful. His mother, a cheerful old lady of eighty-one years, is also a resident of Daviess county.
On the 6th of March, 1851, Mr. Walls was joined in marriage to Miss Catharine Netherton, who came to this county in 1834, and whose parents were among the number who suffered by having their home plundered and burned by the “Saints” during the Mormon troubles in the pioneer days. Mr. and Mrs. Walls have become the parents of eight children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Mary E., born March 10, 1852; James W., born May 25, 1854; Nancy J., born December 6, 1856; Joseph, born January 12, 1860; Laura A., born January 28, 1862; Thomas S., born May 9, 1865; Charles B., born July 14, 1869; and Benjamin J., born December 14, 1871.
