Multnomah-Yamhill County OR Archives Biographies.....Walker, Dow Vernon December 28, 1885 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com May 16, 2009, 1:59 pm Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company DOW VERNON WALKER is addressed by his many friends in Portland by the title of major, which he won by gallant service in the World war, while his legal acumen and tireless application have placed him with the city's prominent attorneys. He was born at Greenspring, Ohio, December 28, 1885, and is a son of Lindsey E. and Lillie B. (Harris) Walker. Descended from a long line of worthy ancestors, Dow V. Walker has inherited their patriotism and devotion to country as well as their fine intellectual qualities. His two grandfathers fought for the preservation of the Union and his paternal grandfather, William H. Walker, died while in the service. His great-great- grandfather in the maternal line was a soldier in the Continental army during the struggle for American independence and his great-grandfather served in the War of 1812. Lindsey E. Walker was born in Wood county, Ohio, in 1859, and in that state married Lillie B. Harris, a native of Seneca county, Ohio, and a daughter of William Harris, who settled in that region in pioneer times. Lindsey E. Walker followed agricultural pursuits in the Buckeye state and in 1891 brought his family to Portland, which city he had previously visited. Locating at McMinnville, Oregon, he opened a general store, of which he was the proprietor until 1901, and has since engaged in contracting in Portland. While developing the business he has contributed toward the city's growth and upbuilding, and an upright, well spent life has won for him the respect and esteem of his fellowmen. Dow V. Walker was a child of six when the family came to Oregon and his public school studies were pursued at McMinnville. He attended McMinnville College for a year and in 1905 was graduated from the Oregon Agricultural College at Corvallis. Securing a position in the Union depot, he was in the employ of the Northern Pacific Terminal Company until 1908, when he became secretary and manager of the Multnomah Amateur Athletic Club, and filled these offices continuously for nine years. Meanwhile he had enrolled as a student in the law school of the University of Oregon and was graduated with the class of 1914. In September, 1917, he enlisted in the United States army and was commissioned a captain. He was sent to Camp Beauregard, Louisiana, and was attached to the quartermaster's department. In July, 1918, he went overseas with the Thirty-ninth Division and after his arrival in France was detached from his command. After completing a course in the French Inter-Allied Motor School at Rozoy-en-Brie, Seine-Marne, he was designated for duty with the French general staff of the department of Commission Regulatrice Automobile, which involved the transportation of troops, supplies and ammunition to the allied armies at the front, and so continued until the close of the war. While in the Ghent sector he took part in the Franco-Belgian drive and was attached to the First army during the Argonne offensive on the Sedan, Stenay and Dun- sur-Meuse fronts, being connected with the French and American motor transport section. On November 18, 1918, he was assigned to General Pershing's staff, with headquarters at Chaumont, Haute-Marne, in the adjutant general's department, and was there stationed until January 2, 1919, when he was transferred to the division staff of the Forty-first Division, which was ordered to the United States. He returned to his native country February 3, 1919, and on the 19th of the same month was honorably discharged at Camp Dix, New Jersey. He was made a major and now holds that rank in the officers reserve corps. On March 1, 1919, Major Walker resumed his duties as secretary and manager of the Multnomah Amateur Athletic Club and thus served until November 24, 1919, when he tendered his resignation. In appreciation of his worth the club presented him with an honorary life membership and the employees a beautiful diamond ring. In June, 1919, he formed a partnership with Charles S. Barton, of Portland, and conducted business under the style of the Walker & Barton Insurance Company, of which he was president until it was sold. Afterward he organized the Dow V. Walker Company, of which he was the president and owner, and established a large business, writing all forms of insurance. Of late years he has devoted his attention to his profession, specializing in the law governing corporations and real property, and has been intrusted with important legal interests. In argument he is clear, logical and forceful and wins a large percentage of his cases. In February, 1928, he became associated with G. E. Hamaker and A. D. Leedy, attorneys at law in the Chamber of Commerce building, Portland, Oregon. Major Walker was married December 15, 1906, in Corvallis, Oregon, to Miss Mabel Davis, a daughter of M. M. Davis, who was born in Eugene and represents one of the oldest families of the state. The children of this union are: Marshall Vernon, who was born September 17, 1910, and is attending high school; and Dow Edwin, born March 29, 1914. Major Walker is an independent republican and in 1922 managed the Oregon campaign of the late General Leonard Wood. The Major was appointed chief of police of Portland but declined the honor and in 1923 was elected one of the commissioners of Multnomah county, serving acceptably for two years. For a year he was secretary of the Community Chest drive and has also been a director of Portland Chapter of the American Red Cross. While in France he was one of the founders of the American Legion, which he later organized in Oregon, and was its first secretary. His Masonic connections are with Columbia Lodge, No. 114, F. & A. M.; Portland Chapter, No. 3, R. A. M.; Oregon Consistory, No. 1, A. & A. S. R.; and Al Kader Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. In that order he holds the thirty-second degree and is also affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is likewise a member of the Multnomah Amateur Athletic Club, the City Club and St. John's Community Club. Major Walker is a director of six local corporations and has always evinced a deep and helpful interest in matters touching the welfare and progress of the community in which much of his life has been spent. He has a high conception of the duties and responsibilities of citizenship and maintains the dignity and honor of his profession. Additional Comments: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, Pages 716-717 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/multnomah/bios/walker665gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 7.1 Kb