Frank Walker
Silver Bow County
History of Montana, Sanders, 1913

One of the well known business men of Butte whose success 
in life has been the result of his own efforts entirely, 
beginning life's battle with practically nothing but his 
energy and ambition, he has done well whatever he has 
undertaken, whether as employee or employer.  Mr. Walker 
was born at Kernsville, Kern County, California, September 
3, 1863, and is a son of George P. and Amanda M. (Warden) 
Walker, the former a native of Georgia and the latter of 
Texas.  George P. Walker passed away in San Diego County 
California and his widow is now a resident of Los Angeles.

Frank Walker was the second in order of birth of his parents' 
nine children and his education was secured in the schools 
of San Bernardino County.  The greater part of his tuition, 
however, was obtained in the school of hard work, as at the 
age of thirteen he was compelled to give up his studies and 
start to do his share in supporting the family and even 
before this age he was kept out of school a great portion 
of the time.  After several years spent in farming, Mr. 
Walker turned his attention to mining, and when sixteen 
years old was employed in the mines of San Bernardino 
County where he continued to be engaged for a few years.  
On March 8, 1887 he came to Butte and while residing here 
was employed in the mines until November 1895, prior to 
which time, however, and while employed in the mines, he 
was engaged in the retail liquor business at Burlington, 
Montana, about three and one-half miles west of the town 
near the Blue Bird Mine, in which he had been first 
employed on coming to Butte.  In 1889 Mr. Walker disposed 
of this business and purchased the establishment of 
Costello and Rossiter then located at No. 17 North Main 
Street but in the following February sold out and 
returned to the mines.  For some time he was engaged in 
leasing and devoping mining properties but these were 
never of a very profitable nature and then for five years 
he was employed as a bartender for A. Wetzstein and King 
and Lowry.  On March 1, 1901 Mr. Walker established 
himself in the retail liquor business at 12 West Park 
Street where he has since remained, and where he has 
built up the leading business of its kind in Butte and 
one of the best known buffets in the northwest.  No 
business house of this character anywhere has more modern 
equipment or is conducted on a more business like and 
systematic plan.  Doing a business of more than $100,000 
per year, carrying a stock of $25,000 with fixtures 
costing upwards of $20,000 and employing fourteen men, 
are figures applicable to this business which was started 
but a little more than a decade ago on a capital of $750.00.

In the management of his business Mr. Walker gives the 
closest attention to details, and never overlooks an 
opportunity to add to the attractiveness of his place 
or to improve the quality of his merchandise.  He is the 
type of man who would have succeeded in any business he 
undertook for being resourceful and original he has 
introduced a number of innovations that have not only 
proven popular but have done much to dignify his 
business.  His place of business is one of the show 
places of Butte.  Here may be found one of the finest 
collections of specimens of the taxidermists art, 
minerals and curios in the United States, including 
finely mounted heads of elk, moose, mountain goats, 
eagles, etc. many of which have succumbed to Mr. 
Walker's prowess as a hunter.

The idea of having a ladies' day was original with Mr. 
Walker and the great success of this innovation was shown 
when for several hours in the afternoon his store was open 
only to ladies and nearly one thousand of the fair sex 
took advantage of the opportunity to view the magnificent 
collection referred to.  He is the owner of a ranch of 
6,000 acres, located near White Sulphur Springs, in 
Meagher County Montana, which he devotes to the raising 
of hay and wheat and in addition has various city realty 
holdings, his residence at 410 West Granite Street being 
one of the attractive residence properties of the city.  
From time to time he has interested himself in various 
business enterprises, and is considered a man of great 
business sagacity and absolute integrity.

In November 1892, Mr. Walker was married to Miss Bertha M. 
Fleming, daughter of A.C. Fleming, a native of New York 
state who has been a resident of Butte since 1885 and is 
engaged in carpentry.  Mrs. Walker's mother is deceased.  
Mr. and Mrs. Walker have one child, Georgie P., born at 
Butte, August 8, 1893.