William Madison Walker, county collector, P. O., Marshall. Mr. W. M. Walker, the present collector of Saline county, was born in Smith county, Tennessee, October 22, 1833, coming to Miami with his parents when but three years old, and was raised on a farm in Moniteau county, in this state. His father, Samuel Walker, was born in 1798, in North Carolina; his grandfather, Edward Walker, was a native of Virginia, born about 1745, and was an orderly sergeant in the Revolutionary war, and was present at the battle of Cowpens. His father came from England. When a young man, Samuel Walker moved with his parents to Tennessee. Mrs. Agnes Walker, nee Bradford, the mother of William M., was born September 6, 1793, in Tennessee. Her father, Bocker Bradford, was born in Virginia, about 1750, and was also of English descent and a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Nine children blessed the marriage of Samuel Walker and Agnes Bradford, (one of them dying in infancy). They moved to Moniteau county, Missouri, in 1836, and there spent the rest of their lives. She died October 11, 1857, and he June 16, 1865. At the age of twenty-two, December 20, 1855, William M. Walker was married to Miss May Isabel Garrett, of Saline county, where she was born, February 5, 1834. Her father was a native Virginian, and his father, Abel Garrett, of Scotch origin, was also a soldier of the Revolution. In 1859 William M. commenced farming for himself in Moniteau county, which he continued for six years, and then, in 1865, moved upon a farm in Saline county. After about four years, he moved to the neighborhood of Orearville. Industry, economy, perseverance and a genial disposition will readily account for the steady increase of his estate and of his influence in the county. In 1876 he was elected county collector in a hotly contested canvass, and the next year, 1877, he moved his family to the county seat, where he now resides. In 1878 he was re-elected, almost without opposition, and in 1880 was again elected, though there was a keen contest for the office this year. His election to the third term demonstrates the satisfaction he has given his constituents as collector of the county. His integrity is above suspicion, and the people can find no fault with him as an official. Mr. Walker is a Royal Arch Mason, a granger and a member of the Baptist Church, as are also Mrs. Walker and the two elder daughters. Seven children have been born to them, all living, as follows: Narcissa, born November 1, 1857; Mary Helen, born February 16, 1861; Samuel Lee, born August 19, 1862; William Madison, born September 26, 1866; Viola Belle, born April 16, 1869; Thomas Rooker, born August 15, 1870; Nannie S., born February 22, 1873.
