Biographical Sketch of William Walker, Lafayette County, Missouri >From "History of Lafayette County, Mo., carefully written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources" St. Louis, Mo. Historical Company, 1881. ********************************************************************** William Walker is a native of Dearborn county, Indiana; born September 1, 1822. In 1836 his parents moved with him to Mason county, Illinois, and located on a farm, where William grew to manhood, meanwhile, receiving a fair education in the historical "log school house" of the day. In 1842 he began the study of law at Springfield, Illinois, with Col. Ed. Baker, who was afterwards U. S. senator from California, and who eventually rec- eived his death wound at the battle of Ball's Bluff, during the late war. Their office was next door to that of Abraham Lincoln, of whom he became an intimate personal friend. He was admitted to the bar in 1844, and began the practice of the law at Havana, Illinois, where he remained until 1865, ultimately acquiring a large and lucrative practice, extend- ing over several counties. He then removed to Lexington, Missouri, where he has since resided engaged in the practice of his profession. He has the reputation of being at the head of it in criminal practice. In 1867 he was appointed judge of the court of common pleas, by Gov. Fletcher, and in 1868 was elected to the same for a period of four years. This office being abolished in 1872, he returned to the practice of law. He is attorney for the Chicago & Alton railroad. The judge has always been a stanch republican in politics, and was a delegate to the first republi- can state convention held in Illinois in 1854. He has been married three times; first to Miss Kate Wheeler, of Logan county, Illinois, in 1844, who died in 1863. Seven children were born to them, three of whom are now living: John W., Elizabeth, and William F., all living in Illinois. In 1865 he was again united in marriage to Miss Rachel Wilson, of Mason county, Illinois, who died in 1871, at Lexington, leaving three children: Alice, Arthur and Robert. He married his third wife in 1872, leading to the altar Mrs. Maggie L. Downing, daughter of Gen. Combs of Lexington, Kentucky. An excellent lawyer and an upright judge, his standing among the members of his profession is an enviable one. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Joe Miller Penny (Eisenbarger) Harrell ====================================================================