Routt County CO Archives Biographies.....Walker, William R. April 5, 1833 - ?
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Judy Crook jlcrook@rof.net March 25, 2006, 7:27 pm

Author: Progressive Men of Western Colorado

     It was far away from Colorado, in the sunny Southland, and more than
three-score years and ten ago, that the interesting subject of this sketch was
born.  His life began on April 5, 1833, in what was then a part of Burke but is
now McDowell county, North Carolina, near the town of Marion.  He is the son of
Daniel and Anna Walker, who were born in the old North state and moved to
Georgia in 1849.  They were successful farmers and devout Christians, the father
belonging to the Baptist church and the mother to the Methodist.  In political
matters the father was independent, but he was ardently devoted to his section
of the country, and took an active part in promoting its best interests,
approaching all public questions with fearless courage and an intelligent
breadth of view.  His wife died in June, 1878, and he on January 16, 1898.  They
had a family of eight children of whom Powell, Sarah J., Jesse M. and Mary A.
have died and William R., Jonathan S., Absolom and James W. are living.  William
R. had but few educational advantages except those provided in the thorough
though harsh school of experience.  He remained with his parents until 1855,
purchasing a plantation in Georgia in 1849 and remaining in that state until
1874.  He then sold his Georgia property and changed his residence to North
Carolina, where he remained until 1881, when he came to Colorado and located in
Routt county in the vicinity of Hayden.  Through a pre-emption claim he took up
the ranch which is now owned by Charles Temple, and which he sold to that
gentleman in the summer of 1882.  After selling this ranch he homesteaded on the
one he now owns and occupies, and which comprises one hundred and sixty acres,
three-fourths of it being tillable land and under excellent cultivation.  Hay,
grain, vegetables and small fruits are produced in abundance, and cattle also
are extensively raised, while the place is well improved with good buildings and
other necessary structures.  Mr. Walker is an unwavering Democrat and as such
served as county commissioner of Routt county in 1882, 1883 and 1884.  He is one
of the earliest settlers in his locality and one of its best known and most
respected citizens.  In 1855 he united in marriage with Miss Nancy Reid, a
native of North Carolina, who died in 1862.  They had four children.  Of these
James D. died and Martin P., Clara C., wife of James Kitchens, and Samuel J. are
living.  On February 28, 1864, Mr. Walker married a second wife, Miss Angeline
Birch, who was born in Georgia.  They have one child, their daughter Mattie L.  

Additional Comments:
From Progressive Men of Western Colorado.  Chicago:  A.W. Bowen & Co., 1905

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/routt/bios/walker442gbs.txt

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