Clinton County, Missouri - The whole text, 1881 (part 11 of 11)

Judge Elijah Thomas Walker

a representative citizen of the town of Cameron, was born in Clinton County. Ohio, January I, 1844. He is the only child of Elijah Walker, and was born after the death of his father. His mother's maiden name was Nancy J. Rannels. She died in New Antioch, Ohio, in 1S60. The early opportunities enjoyed b\- her only son \vere such as were afforded in the common schools of his neighborhood. He soon, however, displayed that spirit of enterprise and power of application which has resulted in ranking him with the successful business men of his count}-. At the early age of thirteen years, he took his first step in the acti\e battle of life, and engaged as a clerk in a countr)' store, at a salary of eight and one-tliird dollars per month. He then attended the high school of Martinsville, Ohio, and, subsequent!)', took a course in r>arlett"s Commercial College. Cincinnati. During the following winter he taught a district school in his own state. Teaching, however, was not destined to be the busitiess of his life. The taste for mercantile j.'ursuits. fostered in earl)- \outh, soon de\"eloped a succe.^s which determined his future coiir.-^c. 'IVinplcil by the \()icc<)f rumor, uhich early proclaimed in lii> hcarini; the vast ami varied resources of the distant west, and nKjre especially the ^-rowing importance of Western Missouri, he determined to try his fortune in the i^^reat land of promise and on the 12th da>' of April, iS'.^, landed in Cameron, ^lissouri. Soon after his arrival, he entered the service of the Ilannibcd and St. Joseph Railroad Company, in the cai)acity of telegrai)h operator, ai^ent, etc. Here he remained tliree years. Durini^^ that period he hchl an interest in the lumber and ac,n-icultural implement business as a member of the firm of C. E. Packard &; Co. The business of this firm soon increased to such an extent that Mr. Walker was forced to relinquish his railroad agency, and devote his entire attention to his mercantile business. Shortly after, the firm chanc^ed, becoming- Walker & Shaw, dealers in lumber, building material and agricultural implements, and doing the largest business of the kind in the city. His accuracy as a business man, coupled with his ever sustained reputation for integrity, no less than his frank address and unassuming demeanor, have secured IMr. Walker friends among men of all classes, and achieved for him a success which few, with his otherwise unaided opportunities, have succeeded in accomplishing. In the summer of 1869. he visited Danville, Illinois, v.-here. on the 15th of June of the same \ ear, he married Miss Cornelia A. Caldwell, daughter of George L. Caldwell. Esq., of that city. He soon after returned with his bride to Cameron. June 14, 1871, their only child, Jennie R. Walker, was born. On the resignation of Judge Cooper, Mr. Walker was, unsolicited by himself, appointed April 5, 1870, by Goxernor McClurg. to the vacancy thus occasioned on the county bench. The same popularity which marked his private life characterized his official career. In April, 1875, Judge Walker was elected a member of the town board of trustees. He was re-elected to the same position four times, serving uninterruptedly a period of five years. He also filled the position of cit\- treasurer. Januar>- I, 1875. Judge Walker purchased of his present partner, Captain J. S. Rogers, a half interest in the Park Bank, of Cameron, one of the reliable institutions of this county, and has since devoted his attention to this interest. He is a prominent and active member of the ^Masonic order in Cameron, and has filled successively the positions of Worshipful Master of Cameron Lodge No. 296, A. F. and A. M., High Priest of Cameron R.^val Arch Chapter No. 67, and Thrice Illustrious Master of a Council of Royal and Select IMasters. He has also been Junior Warden of Kadosh Commandery of Knights Templar, which was originally established in Hamilton, Caldwell County, and moved thence to Cameron. Judge Walker is also a member of the convention of Annointed High Priests of the state.