WARE COUNTY GA Biography Mrs. J. L. Walker File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Barbara Winge barbarawinge@yahoo.com http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/ware/bios/walker.txt Mrs. J. L. Walker Will Remain In Memories In the publication "Georgia's Bi-Centennial Memoirs and Memories," the author, Lucian Lamar Knight tells of Mrs. J. L. Walker as "one who is destined to live long in the history of Ware County." Mrs. Walker, author of the book, "History of Ware County, Georgia," published in 1934, will, "have her name fragrantly recalled when many a financier and many a politician is forgotten," writes Knight. Knight wrote, "We re-echo approval the words of Mr. John Greer in his fascinating forword, "It is fortunate for Ware County that she has among her own citizens one so well qualified to do the work which other counties of the state are doing viz: preserving the states traditions'. Georgia probably started too late to preserve the elements that go to make up a full report, but Ware County at least can rest in the assurance that her's is first among the first in quality and compoeteness." Mrs. Walker says in her introduction: "Our work has been a labor of love. We therefore affectionately dedicate this work to the founders of Waycross, Dr. Daniel Lott, Dr. Benjamin Williams, Mr. William S. Bailey, and Captain Cuyler W. Hillard, who unselfishly created this city and whose memories must be preserved as long as this municipality shall live." Mrs. Walker, before her marriage was Laura Singleton of Milledgeville, later Eatonton, daughter of Samuel Singleton and Ann Christian Singleton. On her parternal side she traces her lineage from Colonel Matthew Singleton, of Sumter County, South Carolina, one of the leading spirits in the early history of that state. On the maternal side she is descended from Israel Christian, who colonized Botetourt County, Virginia, served in the Virginia House of Burgess from 1761 to 1764 and was a captain in the Continental Army. His name was given to Christian Colony, Virginia. December 19, 1883, Laura Singleton was married to Dr. John Lott Walker, at that time first beginning to practice his profession in Wrightsville. They later moved to Waycross where they played a leading and influential part in the life of this south Georgia city. Dr. Walker was born in Washington County and was the son of Elisha Walker and Martha Webb Walker. He engaged in the active practice of medicine for 47 years, 39 of which were spent in Waycross. As a banker and a capitalist, Walker attained wide spread recoginition. For more than a quarter of a century he served as a director of the First National Bank in Waycross. At the time of his death he held the office of the chairman of the board. His other accomplishments included: Trustee for the Eleventh District Agricultural and Mechanical School, and trustee for the School for the Deaf and Dumb at Caves Springs. He served three times as president of the Waycross Board of Education on which he served for 25 years. Dr. Walker served in the government of Waycross as an alderman, commissioner and mayor. He was the first president of the Chamber of Commerce and at one time served as president of the Ware County Bond Commission. He was a mason and a Shriner, a member of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protector of the Elks. He was a trustee of the First Methodist Church and served in many church offices over the years. Dr. Walker died May 14, 1929. Dr. and Mrs. Walker had four children. They were: John Singleton Walker, an attorney; Robert Carroll Walker, a physician; Annie Laurie Walker (Mrs. C. A. Whitmer); and Samuel E. Walker, a real estate agent. All of the Walker children are now deceased. Mrs. Walker's work in Waycross made history. In 1924 she planned a ceremony on the banks of the Suwannee River, marking the centennial of General Floyd's victorious march through the Okefenokee Swamp. In 1934, a pageant with 800 characters marking the 100th anniversary of Ware County and depicting the historical significance of Waycross was written and produced by her. She erected markers and monuments at old trails and historic sites that the history and the romance of this section might not be forgotten. The Laura S. Walker State Park was named for her and she was the only woman to have a park named for her while she was living. Agricultural development in Ware County advanced because of her interest. She was responsible for Ware's securing a home demonstration agent and a 4-H Club. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Waycross Woman's Clubs, and many other groups. The wife of a physician, she instituted movement for a hospital and better medical facilities. Mrs. Walker, known to those of her day as "Waycross' First Lady," died on Saturday, April 9, 1955, at the age of 94. WAYCROSS JOURNAL-HERALD, Monday, April 22, 1974 CENTENNIAL EDITION ======================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for FREE access. ==============