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William W. Walker, an enterprising merchant, of Finley, Tenn., was born in Tuscumbia, Ala., in 1837, and was one of eight children, four of whom are living. His parents were Isaac H. and Maria H. (Winter) Walker. His father was born in Mecklenburg County, Va., in 1812. When twenty years old he moved to Huntsville, Ala., and engaged in business for years there and at Mobile. He then moved to Tuscumbia. He was a man of fine business capacity, and a wealthy and influential citizen of that place, where he died in June, 1860. His mother was born in 1822, and was a daughter of Maj. William and Mildred (Washington) Winter, who were natives of Virginia, and moved to Alabama in 1820. Our subject received his early education at Tuscumbia, and afterward graduated at Lagrange College. His mother was educated at Bardstown, Ky., and died in 1855. Soon after Mr. Walker left college he went to Memphis, and tilled a position as salesman for one of the largest business houses there for five years. In 1861 he enlisted in Company A, Fourth Tennessee Infantry, and was in the battles of Belmont, Shiloh, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, Chickamauga, Perryville, Munfordville, Dalton and other minor engagements, and was captured just after the battle of Atlanta and taken to Camp Chase, Ohio. He was exchanged February 22, 1865, and returned to Camp Lee, at Richmond, and then joined his regiment at Greensboro a few days before the surrender. July 31, 1867, he married Miss Myra, daughter of Dr. McGaughey, of Dyersburg. She was born at Dyersburg in 1847, and died 28 May 1885, leaving three children: Mary, Richard W., and Evelue. After the war Mr. Walker again went to Memphis, and was salesman for J. H. Wagner and Co. for a year and a half; then went into the stove business at Dyersburg, and in May, 1886, commenced merchandising at Finley, where he carries about $4,500 worth of goods. He is a Democrat and a Methodist, and is held in high esteem by those who know him. |