DeSoto Parish, Louisiana; Biography: J. F. Walker, M.D. - w426

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Submitted by Gaytha Carver Thompson
Typed by Trudy Marlow
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	   J. F. Walker, M. D., planter of De Soto Par-
         ish, La., has been a resident of this locality since
         1865, but was originally from Upson County, Ga.,
         where he was born October 4, 1835, being a son of
         J. F. and Nancy A. (Fort) Walker.  The father was
         born in Washington County, Ga., in 1797, and the
         mother inWake County, N. C. ,in 1800. They located
         in Georgia at an early day, thence moved to Texas in
         1860, and in 1865 came to De Soto Parish, La.,
         making their home in the town of Mansfield. Here
         the father passed from life in 1876, his third wife
         and five of his thirteen children surviving him.
         Dr. J. F. Walker was reared in Georgia, in which
         State he received the advantages of the common
         schools, becoming familiar with farm life and
         merchandising.  In 1861 he enlisted in Company
         F, Tenth Texas Cavalry, which was dismounted at
         Des Arc, Ark., and from there he went to Corinth
         Miss., on foot, his regiment participating in all the
         battles of note in Tennessee, Mississippi, and
         Georgia, being present at the siege of Atlanta, and
         was with Hood in his celebrated campaign in Ten-
         nessee.  The most of his time, however, was spent
         in the medical department, as he had previously
         studied medicine for two years.  After the surren-
         der he was engaged in the drug business for two
         years at Mansfield, which calling he carried on
         until 1869, when he sold out and embarked in
         planting, at which he has since been very success-
         ful.  He is now the owner of about 3,000 acres of
         land, 1,200 having been opened, his uplands being
         the best in the State of Louisiana.  Some of his
         land has been under cultivation for forty years, but
         still produces one-half bale of cotton to the acre.
         Dr. Walker is in every sense of the word a self-
         made man, and to his own industry and enterprise
         is due his success.  He was married, in 1867, to
         Miss Josephine E. West, by whom he has nine
         children: Willie I., George H., Robert E., Rufus
         0., Lucielle N., James J., Reuben B., Eugene N.
         and Helen B. (twins).  Dr. and Mrs. Walker are
         members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  In
         connection with farming he is also engaged in the
         lumber business, and has a good steam cotton-gin
         and saw-mill, having been engaged in the latter
         business for several years.