Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/187

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

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born July 17, 1845. and died March 10, 1910. He was a shoemaker and worker in leather, his activities in this line interrupted by the outbreak of the civil war, when he enlisted in the Confederate States army, remaining in the service until peace was gained. In the Confederate service he rendered devoted service, each engagement of his company linding him at the front, and when his pres- ence was no longer needed in the line of battle he located in Portsmouth, there con- tinuing in his former business until his re- tirement. Lewis Wilson Walker was a man known by his fellows for his kindly nature, the strict rectitude of his lite, and, by those best acquainted with him, his loyalty to his family and the rich happiness of his home life. He wa-5 a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Improved Order of Heptasophs. His father was one ot the organizers of the Court Street Bap- tist congregation, a charter member there- of, and instrumental in the building of the house of worship. Mr. Walker married, September 22, 1875, Mary Eliza Robertson, born July 12. 1851. died November i, 191 1, daughter of William David, born in 1827, died April 15, 1897, and Eliza Ann (Davis) Robertson, born in 1838. died December 23, 1899. Issue: I. Grace E., born March 16, 1877; married. May i, 1905, William J. Cobb. 2. William R., of whom further. 3. Robert Davis, born February 12, 1883; he is in the service of the United States navy ; married. May 9, 1904, Bessie Ellis, and has a daughter, Jane Ellis, born January 4, 1908. 4. Mittie S., born January 16, i88fi; mar- ried, September 2. 1903, Harry Curling, and has Marion, born April 4, 1905. 5- Eliza Naomi, born November 10, 1889: married, October 19, 1910, Leonard F. Savage, and hag a daughter, Mittie, born April 2, 1912. 6. John, died in infancy.

William R. Walker, son of Lewis Wil- son Walker and his wife, Mary Eliza ( Rob- ertson ) Walker, was born in Portsmouth. Virginia, July fi, 1879. He was reared in the city of his birth, was there educated and trained in the baker's trade. After a sixteen months apprenticeship in this line he estab- lished, in 1896, in independent business dealings, continuing for five years, when he became identified with the Portsmouth Fire Department. It is not difficult to follow the course by which he was attracted to this calling, beginning with boyish enthusiasm

and the lure of the thrilling, eventful life, through youthful respect and admiration for those who so gallantly braved injury and death to save life and property, to the mature realization of the nobility and use- fulness of such service that caused him to enter it. From the day of his entrance into the service he made duty his guiding star and by his strict observance of every re- quirement made upon him and his willing- r.css to assume additional burdens, he gained recognition and rapid promotion, be- ing, at the time of his appointment as chief of the Portsmouth Fire Department, the youngest incumbent of this position in any city of the United States. Under his rule the fire-fighting force of the city has at- tained a degree of efficiency never before reached and is an instrument for the pro- tection of the citizens of Portsmouth whose value cannot be overestimated. The best and most modern of equipment is manned by a force of firemen uniformly brave, dar- ing and bold, and nothing can bring to Chief Walker greater satisfaction than the praise of the efforts of his men. In critical situations, when the prize at stake is rich in life or money, he has risen to every emer- gency, leading his men in person, disdain- ing to order action where he would not serve. His daily work is that of the general on the field of battle, with the exception that the foe he fights is unseen and unknown, most often masquerading as a friend. His years of service have proven to the citizens of Portsmouth that constant vigilance and watchful care guard them from the ravages of fire, and for faithfulness ever and the performance of duty to the utmost degree, he is accorded their lasting regard. Poli- tically a Democrat, Mr. Walker's fraternal connections are with Lodge No. 82, Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks; Mon- tauk Tribe, No. 55, Improved Order of Red Men, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, of which he is a charter member and grand worthy vice-president.

He married, June 14, 1905, Beulah Vir- ginia, daughter of George W. and May Elizabeth ( Bunting) Broughton, and has children : Lewis Broughton, born March 12. 1906: George Robert, born May 21, 1909; May Ethelyn, born May 17, 1912.

Charles H. Callahan, an official of the highest worth and principles, who has