|
KANAWHA COUNTY WEST VIRGINIA - BIOS: WALKER, Ezra
******************************************************************
Submitted to the West Virginia Biographies Project by:
SSpradling@aol.com
September 19, 1999
******************************************************************
History of Kanawha County
George W. Atkinson
1876
p. 321
EZRA WALKER
Ezra Walker was born in the State of Vermont in 1802, and in early life moved
to Ohio, where he graduated at the Ohio University at Athens. Shortly after
completing his course of study in college, he came to Virginia, and taught
school at the Kanawha Salines for a short time He then came to Charleston and
studied and practiced law until 1832, when he relinquished the same to
discharge the then onerous duties of principal superintendent of the James
River and Kanawha improvements, which extended from Covington to the Ohio
River.
In 1832 Mr. Walker married Miss Mary Smith, of Staunton, Virginia. Shortly
after her marriage she died, and in 1849 Mr. Walker married Julia Shephard,
by whom he had two children, Ezra and Kate, who now reside in Kanawha county.
In March, 1853, owing to excessive fatigue and exposure in discharging his
duties as superintendent of the James River and Kanawha improvements, he died
at Mud Bridge, at the residence of Mr. Reece, in the county of Cabell, and
his remains now rest in the Wilson Cemetery at Charleston. At the time of
his death, his home was in the county of Greenbrier, a short distance west of
Lewisburg.
Mr. Walker was a ripe and finished scholar, the early friend and asso-ciate
of the late distinguished Judge George W. Summers, with whom he graduated at
the Ohio University, and was the warm and confidential friend of Judge Lewis
Summers; to be such, was evidence of his worth and standing, intellectually,
morally and religiously. For many years Mr. Walker was an Elder in the
Presbyterian church in Charleston, and also in Lewisburg. He was a liberal
and working member and officer of the church, and the sincere friend of the
late Dr. James M. Brown, for many years the pastor of the Charleston church,
and of Dr. McElhenny, pastor of the church at Lewisburg.
Mr. Walker was truly a Christian gentleman, and wherever known was loved and
respected. In his life and character, humanity was seen in its best phase,
and with as little imperfection as is seer seen in human nature.
|
