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Submitted: 3/19/10 • Approved: 5/21/13 • Last Updated: 10/27/22 • R299927-G299926-S3
James
COLONEL
Civil War Confederate
December 13, 1830 - October 17, 1906
*Obituary
Benton County Democrat
Thursday, October 18, 1906
WALKER, James D. - Ex-United States Senator James D. Walker, one of the oldest citizens of this part of the State, died yesterday afternoon as the result of injuries received in an accident. While coming down the stairs from the law office of Walker & Walker he lost his balance and fell to the landing, fracturing his skull and dying a few minutes later. He was the father of J. Vol and J. Wythe Walker.
*Obituary
Benton County Democrat
Thursday, October 25, 1906
James D. Walker, who was killed by falling down the stairs at the office of Walker & Walker last week at Fayetteville, was born in Logan county, Kentucky December 13, 1830 and moved in 1847 to Arkansas. He received his education in Kentucky and at Ozark Institute, Arkansas. He studied law and was admitted to the practice of law in 1850 at Fayetteville. He was a colonel in the Confederate army. After the Civil war he resumed the practice of his profession. He was solicitor general of the state of Arkansas for a while, resigning in order to continue his practice in Fayetteville. He was chosen a presidential elector for the state at large in 1876 and voted for Tilden and Hendricks. Judge Walker was elected to the United States Senate as a Democrat to succeed Stephen W. Dorsey, a Republican, and took his seat March 18, 1879. His term of service expired March 3, 1885. At the time of his election by the United States Senate Judge Walker was one of the best known and liked public men in Arkansas. His high standing was evinced by the fact that he was elected senator over such intellectual giants and statesmen as ex-United States Senator R.W. Johnson, Gen. Grandison D. Royston and Marcus L. Bell, men whose illustrious public services illumine the pages of Arkansas history. The canvass of the state by these distinguished candidates for the senatorship in the summer of 1878 is memorable. In those days there were no primary elections and no instructions to legislators. Candidates for the legislature were voted for upon their senatorial choice as expressed by them. For instance, support of Walker would vote for the legislative candidate known to be for Walker and the other would vote according to their preferences. Speeches were made throughout the state by the senatorial candidates and they were greeted by large crowds. When the legislature met in January 1879 the coveted prize fell to "Little Dave" Walker, as he was called by his friends and supporters. Senator Walker was not a candidate for re-election in 1885. He returned to his home in Fayetteville and retired from public life.
*Obituary
The Springdale News
Friday, October 19, 1906
WALKER, James D. - Judge J.D. Walker, while going down the stairway at the law office of Walker & Walker at Fayetteville Wednesday afternoon, fell to the landing below, fracturing his skull and inflicting injuries from which he died a few minutes later. Judge Walker was at one time prominent in the politics of the state, being United States Senator from 1879 to 1885. In his younger days he was a lawyer of marked ability and was the father of Vol and Wythe Walker, both of whom have state wide reputations as attorneys. Deceased was 76 years of age and had been a resident of Fayetteville for sixty years. When The News went to press no arrangements for the funeral had been announced.
*Obituary
The Springdale News
Friday, October 26, 1906
The Fayetteville correspondent of the Little Rock Gazette furnishes that paper with the following facts concerning the life of the late Judge Walker, whose accidental death was announced in The News last week: James D. Walker was born in Logan county, Kentucky December 13, 1830 and moved in 1847 to Arkansas. He received his education at the private schools in Kentucky and at Ozark Institute, Arkansas. He studied law and was admitted to the practice of law in 1850 at Fayetteville. He was a colonel in the Confederate army. After the Civil war he resumed the practice of his profession. He was a solicitor general of the state of Arkansas for a while, resigning in order to continue his practice in Fayetteville. He was chosen a presidential elector for the state at large in 1876 and voted for Tilden and Hendricks. Judge Walker was elected to the United States Senate to succeed Stephen W. Dorsey, Republican, and took his seat March 18, 1879. His term of service expired March 3, 1885. At the time of his election to the United States Senate Judge Walker was one of the best known and liked public men in Arkansas. His high standing was evinced by the fact that he was elected senator over such intellectual giants and statesmen as ex-United States Senator Robert W Johnson, Gen. Grandison, D. Royston and Marcus L. Bell, men whose illustrious public services illumine the pages of Arkansas history. The canvass of the state by these distinguished candidates for the senatorship in the summer of 1878 is memorable. In those days there were no primary elections and no instructions to legislators. Candidates for the legislature were voted for upon their senatorial choice as expressed by them. For instance supporters of Walker would vote for the legislative candidate known to be for Walker and the others would vote according to their preferences. Speeches were made throughout the state by the senatorial candidates and they were greeted by large crowds. When the legislature met in January 1878 the coveted prize fell to "Little Dave" Walker, as he was called by his friends and supporters. Senator Walker was not a candidate for re-election in 1885. He returned to his home in Fayetteville and retired from public life. The remains of Judge Walker were laid to rest Friday afternoon in the family cemetery, funeral services being held at the residence, conducted by Rev. Thomsen, pastor of the Presbyterian church. As a mark of respect to the deceased the business houses of Fayetteville closed for the funeral.
Mary
December 21, 1837 - March 31, 1910
Contributed on 3/19/10 by eagle12953
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Record #: 299927