The Denver star., 1915-01-23

markets. is popular with both races
alike and is the owner of much valI-
able real estate.
Lexington Is a beautiful little noun
tain city Of perhaps 1900 Inhabitants.
picturesquely situated amid the gran
deur of Blue Ridge scenery near the
head of the famous Shenandoah val
ley. There Is about Lexington IN air
of southern aristocracy. 1t proudly
preserves the best traditions of the
south. Here are located two very uot
ed seats of learning-the Washington
and Lee university and the Virginia
Military institute. Here. too. repose
the ashes of those two most celebrated
and best beloved southern chieftains.
General Robert E. Lee and ''Stoncwali"
.Iackson. Both of these famous men
were at one time residents of Iexing-
ton and teachers In its famous insti-
tutions.
Deacon Walker was born in Lexing-
ton, July 4. 1875. He Is therefore still
young man. not yet being forty. He
is truly a self made man. When he was
eleven years of age he was working for
20 cents a week. driving cattle. He
worked at that same place as a meat
cutter until he was thirty-one During
that time the firm had changed hands
four times. But lie never changed. and
during this period of his employment
his wages were gradually increased un
til he was receiving 500 month.
At the age of nineteen he was mar
ried. without possessing scarcely so
much Of this worlds goods as a second
suit He was fortunate in securing as
helpmate Miss Eliza Bannister. Il:
handsome and industrious Lexington
girl. who had become a trained nurse
in Washington. She encouraged and
helped him. and for a year they prac
ticed the most rigorous economy. AT
the end Of their first year Mr.. Walker
was able to make a $500 investment in
property. To this first purchase more
real estate was gradually added. He
secured home site Of thirteen acres
just at the edge of Lexington. upon
which he erected commodious dwell
ing.
Later he built model slaughter
house, the first of which Lexington
could boast In 1908 he went into the
meat business for himself with a CAP
itaI of 1910. His business now aver
ages 81 600 a month. and he employs
several men. His real estate. including
his place OF business. is conserva lively
valued at $4,000. He Is large and
! powerful man. generous. prompt and
kindly. His success is the more inspir
ing and remarkable because 1T has been
achieved in n small. conservative place
through self denial and honest business
enterprise. He has never indulged in
what we call plunge" but is known
as careful business man.
Mr.. Walker is deacon in the First
Baptist church Of Lexington. which is
a large and influential congregation
with a beautiful brick and stone edifice
valued Mt $4,000. 1t seats 1.5OO people.
n electrically lighted and steam heat
cd. 1t is one Of the strong churches Of
Virginia and has numbered among its
pastors such men as the Rev DR.. VIII
liam NJ. Moss of Brooklyn. DR.. ". T..
Johnson Of Richmond and the writer
of this sketch. Several children have
been born to the Walkers. but only one
survives. Miss Mamie. who is q stu
| dent in Hnrtshorn college. Richmond.
| 4 son. Harry Thomas. most promis-
/, ing young man. who was In business
! with his father, has but recently passed
swny.