John B. Walkup was born in Greenbrier County, Va., Aug. 11, 1811, a son of Christopher and Sabrina (Beard)Walkup.He was reared and educated in his native county, and after reaching maturity came West as far as La Porte, Ind., where he taught school two years.  He then, in company with several others, came to Illinois and laid a claim in Algonquin Township, but subsequently settled on the farm in the town of Nunda where the family now reside and where he died June 9, 1856.  When he first came to the county he boarded with Mrs. Gilliland, now the oldest settler in the county.  He was married Oct. 20, 1840, to Mary J., daughter of Robert G.and Esther White. To them were born three children-Leonidas W., born May 16, 1842; Eva M., Nov. 17, 1844; and Alfred C., May 18, 1849.  Alfred has been for four years a missionary of the Congregational church to the South Sea Islands.  Politically Mr. Walkup was a Republican.  He was an elder in the Presbyterian church.  Mrs. Walkup's grandfather, Isaac White, was born in Pennsylvania, Oct. 1, 1757, and Jan. 17, 1782, married Jane Givens, a native of North Carolina, born Jan. 17, 1762.  They had a family of seven children-Robert G.(White), born Dec. 29, 1782; Peggie, Oct. 15, 1781; Lucy, Oct. 23, 1786; Sarah, April 2, 1789; Polly, Oct. 30, 1791; John, Feb. 19, 1794; Rebecca, July 19, 1796.  Robert G. went to Indiana, and thence, in 1818, to Illinois and located in Bond County.  In 1836 he came to McHenry County and settled near Marengo, where he died in 1871.  Of his six children, four are living- Mary J.(Walkup), born Oct. 18, 1815; John, now in Minnesota; Alfred, of Marengo, and Esther L., wife of William P.Walkup. Isaac and Benjamin are deceased.
History of McHenry County, Illinois-1885
 

William P. Walkup, section 13, Dorr Township, was born in Greenbrier County, W.Va., May 25, 1817, a son of Christopher and Sabrina (Beard) Walkup, natives of Virginia, of Scotch and Irish descent.  In 1835 his parents came to McHenry County, and settled on the farm where he now lives.  His mother died in 1855, and in 1858 his father went to Kansas and remained four years.  He then returned to Illitiois and lived in Abingdon,Knox County,till his death, in 1870.  He was Sheriff of McHenry County several years, and Justice of the Peace of Dorr Township.  Of his family of six children, but three are living.  After reaching his majority William P. Walkup paid a mortgage held by Isaac Torbert, on his father's farm, and took possession of the property. He owns 200 acres of choice land, and in addition to cultivating it carries on a large stock and dairy business. He was married in 1848 to Esther L. White, a native of Bond County, Ill.  They have had three children; but one is living-Lowell A.  Mr. Walkup was Postmaster of Ridgefield twelve years, and has been School Trustee twenty years.  He is a member of the firm Dufield & Walkup, blacksmiths, Ridgefield.  He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.