William Tobias Walker (1831)

Born 1831 in Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Ancestors

Died [date unknown] in Washington, District of Columbia, United States

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Biography

Name

Went by name Tobias Walker. ^[1]

Birth

Birth: 26 Oct 1831 ^[2]

William Tobias Walker was born on October 26, 1831, in District of Columbia to Maria E. Martin, age 21, and William Bradley Walker, age 29. Source of birthdate: obituary (attached)^[2]

Parents

Parents: William Bradley Walker, Maria E. Martin^[2] William Bradley Walker died when Tobias was 17. ^[1]

Siblings

• Thomas H Walker was born on December 23, 1833, in Washington, District of Columbia ^[2]
• Maria C was born in 1835 ^[2]
• John Cusworth was born in 1836 in District of Columbia. d. 1876^[2]
• Richard Alfred was born in 1839 in District of Columbia d. 1913^[2]
• Charles was born in 1842 ^[2]
• George was born in 1845 ^[2]
• Frank M was born about 1847 in District of Columbia. d. 26 Dec 1848^[2]
• Williamanna was born in 1849.^[2]

Marriage

Marriage: 1856 ^[2] Spouse: Adelaide E. Harris^[2]

William Tobias Walker married Adelaide E. Harris in 1856 when he was 25 years old.^[2]

Death

Death: 11 March 1911 (11 Mar 1911) - District of Columbia, USA^[2]

Obituary

Funeral services for William Tobias Walker, a native of Washington, who was for many years prominently identified with the business interests of the National Capital and a veteran Mason of the District, who died at his residence, 2156 California avenue northwest, early yesterday morning, will be held at his late home at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. ^[3]

Mr. Walker was born in South Washington October 26, 1831, and resided in that locality all of his life up to about six years ago, when he built himself a modern home in the new northwest, near the Highlands apartment. Mr. Walker’s mother was an Englishwoman who came to this city when she was a girl and married the father of the deceased, a resident of Washington. ^[3]

Mr. Walker was educated in the public schools of this city and when a young man started up in business as a grocer, conducting for many years a store at the corner of 11th street and Maryland avenue southwest. It was here that he started the foundation of his fortune and some time later began the business of brickmaking which grew rapidly into a large and profitable industry. Mr. Walker was during the period following the civil war one of the leading brick manufacturers in the District and from his kilns came nearly all of the bricks that were used in construction work not only in South Washington, but in all sections of the city. His identification with that industry covered more than forty years, and during that time he has been very closely connected with many industrial and financial enterprises of large import. At the time of his death he was president of the W.T. Walker Brick Company, and despite his many years of active life was a potent force in the management of the firm’s large interests. He was a director of the Citizens’ Bank from the time of its organization until it was merged with the Metropolitan Bank. ^[3]

Member of Masonic Order. Mr. Walker was a member of Benjamin B. French Lodge, No. 15, F.A.A.M.; Washington Chapter, No. 2, R.A.M. and of DeMolahy Mounted Commandery, No. 4, Knights Templar, and also a Scottish Rite Mason. He was a director of the Masonic Mutual Life Association from its formation and its treasurer for nearly twenty years, resigning therefrom only a year ago on account of failing health. ^[3]

Mr. Walker was a member of the Association of the Oldest Inhabitants and took a keen interest in its affairs for many years. He was a member of the Washington Heights Presbyterian Church and an active worker in the congregation. Many years ago, when the District had suffrage and a common council, Mr. Walker represented his ward in South Washington in that body. He was a man of pronounced business ability and of uncompromising integrity, and was noted for his many charities and benefactions. ^[3]

He is survived by five sons and five daughters and nine grandchildren. The sons are William H., George E., Charles J. Ernest T. and Arthur L., all of whom reside in Washington, and the daughters are Mrs. G.N.W. White of Kansas City, Mo.; Mrs. F.L. Hayes of Topeka, Kan.; Mrs. J.B. Carter, Miss Etta Walker and Miss Elinor Walker of this city. Mr. Walker is also survived by three brothers, R.A. Walker, T.H. Walker and F.M. Walker, all of this city.^[3]

Children

Tobias Walker was survived by five sons and five daughtersw as well as nine grandchildren. ^[3]

1. William H
2. George E
3. Charles J
4. Ernest T
5. Arthur L
6. Mrs. G. N. W. White
7. Mrs F. L. Hayes
8. Mrs. J. B. Carter
9. Miss Etta Walker
10. Miss Elinor Walker

Father of Cora Walker Harris ^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Cora Walker Harris, Our Square, Memories of Southwest Washington, Washington, DC, 1939. Manuscript.
2. ↑ ^{2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14} Wholeczech, William Walter Wood Family. http://person.ancestry.com/tree/78914704/person/38403602690/facts. Accessed April 17, 2016
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6} W.T. Walker’s Funeral To Be Held Tomorrow. The Evening Star, March 12, 1911. Cited by Wholeczech, William Walter Wood Family. http://person.ancestry.com/tree/78914704/person/38403602690/facts. Accessed April 17, 2016