GEORGE T. WALKER. As citizens and individuals, the American people have an insatiable thirst for biographical reading. A great man dies, and the people jostle each other in the library, book store and news stand to obtain the record of his life. What is the secret. Can it be only a vulgar curiosity which prompts us to search lives of our public men or more humble fellow- citizens? While in some cases it must be admitted that this is indeed one element of the cause, it is not the real motive of the mass, or of even a considerable portion of biographical readers. Our leading public men and more successful citizens have each certain characteristics which have contributed largely to their success, and we, their humble neighbors, need the benefit of their example to guide us in the common walks of duty. We also need the record of lives similar to our own, for we are the same that our fathers have been, and by studying their biographies, we can avoid their mistakes and profit by their wisdom. The original Walker family were natives of Ireland, the first of whom to emigrate being one George Walker. He was a farmer, and coming to America was married, and reared two children- Nancy, wife of Zaphaniah Mercer, of Chartiers township, this county, and Thomas. The parents died many years ago. Thomas Walker was born in 1822 at Bower Hill, Allegheny Co., Penn., and in early life came with his parents to Washington, Penn. He learned the carpenter's trade and followed it for several years in his native city; then moved to Pittsburgh, Penn., but soon returned to Washington. In 1866 he and Mr. Fitzwilliams built a planing mill, Mr. Klevis afterward becoming a partner. Thomas Walker was married, while in Pittsburgh, to Elizabeth Wilson (daughter of William Wilson), who bore him children as follows: William, Annie (wife of George Caldwell, of Washington), George T., Robert, Kate, Rowena (Mrs. William Brown, of Washington), Maria (living with her brother George T.) and Burns. Of these children, William, Robert, Kate and Burns are deceased. The father was a general contractor and builder, and in politics a Republican, serving as a member of the council several times, also filling minor offices. He was a member of the I. 0.0. F. and was always willing to aid others. As a contractor, he had the largest trade of the city, and erected many of the most elegant buildings, among which may be mentioned the United Presbyterian Church, the Second Presbyterian Church, Hazlett's Bank, Reed's Block and several others. In personal appearance he was slightly below the medium height, weighing 240 pounds. He died in 1886, in his sixty-fourth year, of heart trouble, having been preceded to the " long home" by his wife in 1882.
George T. Walker was born November 7, 1855, in Washington, Washington Co., Penn., and attended the public schools until 1870, afterward spending two terms at Washington and Jefferson College. He then entered a planing mill and learned the carpenter's trade, when he was given the position of foreman, which he occupied some time. In 1878 he went to Texas, but not liking that part of the country, returned to Washington. In 1885 he formed a partnership under the firm name of Walker & Son, which continued until 1887, when he associated himself with C. M. Slater in the general contracting and lumber business. On December 25, 1883, George T. Walker married Olive B., daughter of Samuel Fulton, a citizen of Washington. In December, 1890, she was called from earth, leaving two children, Margaret and Thomas. Mr. Walker built the Citizens' National Bank, and many private residences in Washington. In 1884 he erected his present elegant home on West Chestnut street, and is at present engaged in the construction of the college gymnasium. He owns many houses and a considerable amount of real estate in and near Washington City, having dealt in the real estate business quite extensively. He is also interested in the oil business, and is a member of the Producers' Association. In politics Mr. Walker is an active Republican, having held various local offices; for five years he was in Company H, Tenth Regiment State Militia, under Col. Hawkins, of Beallsville, Washington county. In brief, George T. Walker is one of the most prosperous, well known and popular business men of Washington.
Text taken from page 296 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed June 1997 by George A. and Mary Ann Plance of Gainesville, FL as part of the Beers Project.
Published June 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]