In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1893) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From Portrait and biographical record of Lafayette and Saline counties, Missouri : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all (1893), History of Saline County, Missouri, carefully written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources ... with a condensed history of Missouri; the state constitution; a military rec (1881)
WILLIAM MADISON WALKER, county collector, P. O., Marshall. Mr. W. M. Walker, the present collector of Saline county, was born in Smith county, Tennessee, October 22, 1833, coming to Miami with his parents when but three years old, and was raised on a farm in Moniteau county, in this state. His father, Samuel Walker, was born in 1798, in North Carolina; his grandfather, Edward Walker, was a native of Virginia, born about 174:5, and was an orderly sergeant in the Revolutionary war, and was present at the battle of Cowpens. His father came from England. When a young man, Samuel Walker moved with his parents to Tennessee. Mrs. Agnes Walker, nee Bradford, the mother of William M., was born September 6, 1793, in Tennessee. Her father, Becker Bradford, was born in Virginia, about 1750, and was also of English descent and a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Nine children blessed the marriage of Samuel Walker and Agnes Bradford, (one of them dpng in infancy). They moved to Moniteau county, Missouri, in 1836, and there spent the rest of their lives. She died October 11, 1857, and he June 16, 1865. At the age of twenty-two, December 20, 1855, William M. Walker was married to Miss May Isabel Garrett, of Saline county, where she was born, February 5, 1834. Her father was a native Virginian, and his father, Abel Garrett, of Scotch origin, was also a soldier of the Revolution. In 1859 William M. commenced farming for himself in Moniteau county, which he continued for six years, and then, in 1865, moved upon a farm in Saline county. After about four years, he moved to the neighborhood of Orearville. Industry, economy, perseverance and a genial disposition will readily account for the steady increase of his estate and of his influence in the county. In 1876 he was elected county collector in a hotly contested canvass, and the next year, 1877, he moved his family to the county seat, where he now resides. In 1878 he was re-elected, almost without opposition, and in 1880 was again elected, though there was a keen contest for the office this year. His election to the third term demonstrates the satisfaction he has given his constituents as collector of the county. His integrity is above suspicion, and the people can find no fault with him as an official. Mr. Walker is a Royal Arch Mason, a granger and a member of the Baptist Church, as are also Mrs. Walker and the two elder daughters. Seven children have been born to them, all living, as follows: Narcissa, born November 1, 1857; Mary Helen, born February 16,1861; Samuel Lee, born August 19, 1862; William Madison, born September 26, 1866; Viola Belle, born April 16, 1869; Thomas Rooker, born August 15,1870; Nannie S., born February 22,
As printed in History of Saline County, Missouri, carefully written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources ... with a condensed history of Missouri; the state constitution; a military rec (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
WILLIAM M. WALKER, the enter- )j prising and energetic ex-County Collector, having served three terms, and a member of the Legislature in 1885 and 188(5, Thirtythird General Assembly, has notonlybeen a prominent factor in the business world of Marshall and Saline County, in furnishing the finest bituminous and cannel coal in the State of Missouri, but is preparing for public use Bine Lick Springs, eight miles south of Marshall, as an attractive summer resort. The eight health-giving springs, entirely different in the composition of their sparkling water, will eventually draw thousands of invalids and pleasure-seekers thither, and at no very distant day matchless accommodations will be offered all guests who harry in this beautiful resort. At present some substantial buildings have been erected and more will soon follow.
The Hon. William M. Walker resides in one of the most attractive homes in Marshall, Addition 18, within the city limits. The highly improved farm of three hundred and twenty acres recently owned by him is seven miles northeast of the city. Our subject was born October 22, 1833, near Carthage, Smith County, Tenn. His paternal grandfather, Samuel, was a native of Virginia, and belonged to the F. F. Vs. of the Old Dominion Locating in North Carolina, he became a planter there, but emigrating to Tennessee in an early day, tilled the soil of that fertile State, and after many years of care and usefulness, died there.
The father of our subject, named after his father. Samuel, was born October 2". 1799, in Wilson Comity. N. C. and was a farmer engaged in the duties of agriculture in Smith County, Tenn. He married in the latter State a North Carolina lady, and in 1836 journeyed to Missouri, traveling to that State by team and wagon, and. slowly moving forward, were several weeks on the way. Their destination was.Moniteau County, and there the father entered live hundred acres from the Government, and devoted the rest of his life to general farming and stock-raising. When almost four-score years of age he passed away, dying in his seventy-seventh year,.lime 16, 1865. In politics, this early pioneer was a Democrat, and in religious affiliation a prominent Baptist, a Deacon and active worker in the organization. He held with great honor the official position of Justice of the Peace in Moniteau County, where he was familiarly known in the latter years of his life as "old Squire Walker."
The mother of our subject was Miss Agnes Bradford, born in Wilson County. N. C, a daughter of Booker Bradford, a native of old Virginia, and an early pioneer of North Carolina, and afterward a settler of Tennessee. Mrs. Agnes (Bradford) Walker died in 1857. She was the mother of four sons and lour daughters, all of whom grew up to mature years, hut of whom only two brothers and three sisters now survive. Brother Bird, now deceased, served in the war, also his three sons; Thomas Walker died in the Civil War; Samuel was engaged in the conflict,and now resides in Texas. The brothers fought in the Confederate army.
Mi. Walker was reared upon his father's farm, and at the tender age of ten \ ears worked side by side with the hired men, working steadily in the field, and assisting in the cultivation of corn, wheat ami tobacco. Occasionally he was spared to attend the log SChoolhouse of the district, and seated upon the rude slabs would carefully con his lessons over. Three winter months weregiven the young hoys for schooling and study, and the memory of the greased-paper windows, and the luncheon de>k below, where our subject industriously learned to write with a gOOSC-quill, are yet as fresh in his mind as though they were of yesterday. The schools gradually improved in character, and slowly made their upward way into broader fields of education and progress.
Mr. Walker remained at home until the close of the war to attend to his father's business, and at the age of twenty-two years began teaching school in the fall and winter months, raising a crop on the home farm in the summer, and thus employed himself for five years. In 1864, making a new departure, our subject went to Virginia City, Mont., and engaged in mining there. He made the trip with an ox-team via Ft. Laramie, Bridger's Cut-off, and had the charge and management of the train, which he brought through safe and sound. After mining and working hard until the fall of 1864, lie started on his return trip home. He traveled by mule train via Salt Lake City to Nebraska City, and suffered much from the intense cold and severe storms he encountered; when he arrived at Nebraska City at Christmas time, on his return, he was detained there two weeks, when he came directly back to Saline County. Mr. Walker and his wife liked the country and the people, and as Mrs. Walker's relatives were settled here, they decided to make this locality their future home, and upon our subject's arrival from the West, he sent for his family, and soon they were united once more.
In those days there were no railroads in this section of the country, and few improvements, but the people, many of them, moved about as though journeying were an easy task. The Walkers lived first in Marshall Township, remained one year, and then located in.jefferson Township; they next settled in Arrow Rock, sojourning there two years, and, finally taking possession of the three hundred and twenty acres now so finely improved, made that portion of the State their permanent home. At one time Mr. Walker had four hundred acres, raising wheat, corn, cattle and hogs. In the year 1877 the farm was rented out, and the family removed to the comfortable and commodious home in Marshall, which Mr. Walker bought and improved. The handsome grounds about the family residence occupy eighteen and one-half acres. In the same year our subject took charge of the county collections, and has been twice re-elected. He made collections in every part of the county, and gave $250,000 bonds. While Mr. Walker was serving in the State Legislature, he was a member of the important Committees on Ways and Means, Roads and Highways, and also of the Committee on Accounts.
In 1891 our subject sold his farm, and has since beautified the home acres, adorning them variously, and planting some of the land to choice varieties of fruit, so that to-day an orchard in full bearing is the result of well-planned improvement. During the existence of the County Agricultural Society, Mr. Walker was among the members, and with all his old-time interest engaged in raising Shorthorns, taking numerous premiums at the fails. The old farm was the school district of the vicinity, and Mr. Walker always interested himself in educational advancement. Fraternally, he is a prominent Mason, being a Free and Accepted Mason, a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Templar, all in the lodges of Marshall. In religious connections, he is a Baptist, and in politics a straight Democrat, and has been a member of the County Democratic Central Committee, and attended the Grand Council in June.
The Hon. William Walker was married in Saline County, Jefferson Township, in 1855, to Miss Mary I. Garrett, a native of the county, a daughter of Col. Laban Garrett, who was born in Virginia, and was an early settler of Saline County, having arrived here in 1818. He was a Colonel in the militia, and taught the first school here. He was also a large farmer and a very successful miller of the soil. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are the parents of seven children: Narcissa, Mrs. J. P. Pemberton, resides in Marshall Township; Mary H., now Mrs. Rose, lives in this city, engaged in the boot and shoe business; Samuel, at home, is Superintendent of the Blue Lick Springs Resort; William M., Jr., is Deputy Collector; Viola B., Thomas B. and Nannie S. are at home. The entire family hold a high place in the regard and esteem of the entire community.
Coal Mountain, owned by Mr. Walker, is a most valuable piece of property. The quality of the coal is unsurpassed, and there is a deposit of over fifty feet. The fine Blue Lick Springs will be the continued care of our subject, and in the development of their resources, Mr. Walker will not only benefit himself and the city of Marshall, but will confer health, life and pleasure upon the general public. Always a true and earnest American citizen, our subject knows no disappointments or discouragements, but, persevering, has conquered obstacles and won success.
As printed in Portrait and biographical record of Lafayette and Saline counties, Missouri : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all (1893). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: William Walker
The printed record stops around 1893. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.