My Genealogy Hound

ROBERT WALKER, who is chief engineer of the waterworks at Sedalia, was born in Lehigh County, Pa., November 13, 1859, and is the son of Robert and Elizabeth (Creamer) Walker. His father was a native of Scotland, and was reared upon a farm in that country, receiving such advantages as the common schools of the home locality afforded. In youth he was trained to a thorough knowledge of agricultural affairs, and when he left home, at the age of seventeen, he was thoroughly fitted for the life of a farmer. Emigrating to America, he was married to Miss Creamer in New York, and soon afterward settled in Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Missouri. His death occurred in Pettis County in 1878. While not a politician in the ordinary usage of that word, he adhered to the principles of the Republican party. In religious belief he was a Presbyterian, and was a consistent member of that church for many years.

The first eight years of the life of our subject were passed in Pennsylvania. From there he came with his parents to Missouri and settled on a farm in Pettis County. Here his boyhood years were passed, and in the public schools of the district he laid the foundation of his education. Remaining with his parents until twenty-one years of age, he then accepted a position as fireman in the Sedalia waterworks, and in that capacity he was employed for one year, after which he was promoted to be engineer. He still retains the latter position, working twelve hours each day. His younger brother, John, who began here about the same time he did, is engineer the other twelve hours of the day. Of his brothers and sisters there were five, of whom he is third in order of birth, and the eldest living. Henry, who is also an engineer, and resides in Sedalia, is in the employ of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. David, the youngest of the family, is a machinist in the employ of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad.

June 26, 1884, Mr. Walker was united in marriage with Miss Fannie L. Burton, who was born near Higby, Mo., in November, 1867, and at the time of her marriage was living in Sedalia. They are the parents of three children, all born in Sedalia, and named as follows: Myrtle, Robert James and Elsie May. In the spring of 1894 Mr. Walker bought a little home of eighteen acres on the south side of Flat Creek, in Flat Creek Township, and here he has a neat and cozy cottage. He has never been active in public or political affairs, preferring to devote his attention to his business affairs, but is nevertheless interested in all enterprises calculated to advance the welfare of his fellow-citizens or promote the prosperity of the city where he has his home.