Carey, Charles Henry. "History of Oregon." Chicago-Portland: Pioneer Historical Pub. Co., 1922. Vol 3. p. 322. DOW VERNON WALKER Dow Vernon Walker, of the firm of Walker and Barton engaged in a general insurance business in Portland, is a veteran of the World war and was the organizer of the American Legion in this state -- activities which have brought to him a wide acquaintance, while the sterling worth of his character has established him firmly in the regard of all who know him. Mr. Walker was born at Greenspring, Ohio, December 28, 1884, and is a son of Lindsey E. and Lillie B. (Harris) Walker. His two grandfathers served in the Civil war in the northern armies and his paternal grandfather died while in service. His great-great-grandfather in the maternal line was a veteran of the Revolutionary war for independence and his great-grandfather was a veteran of the War of 1812. His ancestors were of the earliest and best American stock. Lindsey E. Walker was born on a farm in Wood county, Ohio, in 1859 and was married in that state to Lillie B. Harris, a native of Seneca county, Ohio, and a daughter of William Harris. They are now residents of Multnomah county, Oregon, where they took up their abode in 1902. Dow Vernon Walker was reared on his father's farm to 1891 and then accompanied his parents on their removal to McMinnville, Oregon, where he attended the public schools, passing through consecutive grades to the high school and also spending one year as a pupil in the McMinnville College. He later entered the Oregon Agricultural College at Corvallis, from which he was graduated in 1905. He next entered the employ of the Northern Pacific Terminal company at the Union depot and was so engaged until 1908, when he became secretary and manager of the Multnomah Amateur Athletic Club, filling that position continuously and most acceptably until September, 1917, when he received a commission as captain in the Officers Reserve Corps. At that date he was sent to Camp Beauregard, Louisiana, for duty on the division commander's staff, and in July, 1918, he went overseas with the Thirty-ninth Division. Arriving in France he was detached from his command and assigned to the French Inter-Allied Motor School at Rozoy-en-Brie, Seine-Marne, and on the completion of the school course was assigned to the French general staff of the Department of Commission Regulatrice Automobile, which involved the transportation of troops, supplies and ammunition to the allied armies at the front. He so continued until November 18, 1918, when, the armistice having been signed, he was assigned to General Pershing's staff, with headquarters at Chaumont, Haute-Marne, in the adjutant general's department. He acted in that capacity until January 2, 1919, when he was ordered to join the Division Staff of the Forty-first Division, which was ordered to the United States. He returned to his native country on the 3d of February, 1919, and was honorably discharged on the 19th of the same month at Camp Dix, New Jersey, and was commissioned major in the Officers Reserve Corps. On the 1st of March, 1919, Major Walker returned to his former position as secretary and manager of the Multnomah Club of Portland and served in that capacity until November 24, 1919, when he resigned in order to engage in the insurance business, forming a partnership with Charles S. Barton of Portland, under the firm name of Walker and Barton, becoming agents for the Travelers Insurance Company. He has already laid the foundation for success in this business, his patronage steadily increasing as the result of his enterprise and close application. While in the service of the Multnomah Club Major Walker studied law and was graduated in 1913 from the law department of the University of Oregon with the degree of LL. B. The same year he was admitted to practice and to some extent has followed his profession. On the 15th of December, 1906, in Corvallis, Oregon, Major Walker was married to Miss Mabel Davis, a daughter of M. M. Davis, who was born in Eugene, Oregon, his parents having crossed the plains to cast in their lot with the earliest settlers of this state. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have become the parents of two children: Marshall Vernon, who was born September 17, 1910; and Dow Edwin, born March 29, 1914. Major Walker is a republican in his political views and during the recent campaign was manager for Oregon for General Leonard Wood. He belongs to Columbia Lodge, No. 114, A. F. & A. M., of Portland; Portland Chapter, No. 3, R. A. M.; Oregon Consistory, No. 1, A. & A. S. R.; and Al Kader Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He likewise has membership with the Elks Lodge, No. 142, and the Knights of Pythias of Portland. He was made an honorary life member of the Multnomah Amateur Athletic Club in recognition of his past service to the organization and belongs also to the City Club, to the Portland Chamber of Commerce and St. John's Community Club. He is likewise a director of the Portland Community Service and Portland Chapter American Red Cross and after his return from France he took up the organization of the American Legion in the state of Oregon, which now has a membership of about sixteen thousand. In the work he is taking a most helpful part and in all things is actuated by the spirit which is seeking through the organization to promote a one hundred per cent Americanism throughout the length and breadth of the land. He possesses excellent powers of organization, is an able executive, has initiative and unlimited energy and accomplishes whatever he undertakes. Transcriber's additional notes: CENSUS 1900 - June; Yamhill Co, OR; South McMinnville Pct, Wd 2, page 77 Lindsey E. Walker, 42, Nov 1857, OH, PA, OH, mar 15 yrs, grocer Lillie B, wife, 41, May 1859, OH, NY, OH, mar 15 yrs, 4 children-4 living Dow V, son, 14, Dec 1885, OH, OH, OH, att. school Earl D, son, 12, May 1888, OH, OH, OH, att. school Lola J, dau, 9, July 1890, OH, OH, OH, att school Ozbun G, son, 5, June 1894, OR, OH, OH 1910 - April 15; Multnomah Co, OR; Portland Pct 13, Wd 3, page 81 Dow V. Walker, 26, OH, OH, OH, mar 3 yrs, Superintendent, athletic club, rents house Mabel, lodger/wife, 29, OR, OR, MO 1920 - January; Multnomah Co, OR; Portland Pct 296, 310 Fessenden, page 49 Dow V. Walker, 36, OH, OH, OH, agent, insurance co., owns home Mable D, wife, 40, OR, OR, MO Vernon M, son, 9, OR, OH, OR, att. school Dow E, son, 5, OR, OH, OR 1930 - April 9; Multnomah Co, OR; Portland Pct 23, 712 Hoyt, page 189 Dow V. Walker, 47, OH, OH, OH, 1st mar age 24, lawyer, general practice, rents $65 Mabel D, wife, 49, OR, OR, MO, 1st mar age 26 Vernon M, son, 19, OR, OH, OR, manager, variety store, att. school Edwin D, son, 16, OR, OH, OR, att. school Benton Co, OR Marriages: Dow V. Walker and Mabel Davis; December 15, 1906 Or Death Index: Dow V. Walker; died July 25, 1947; Portland, Multnomah Co. cert. # 2612 Mabel D. Walker; died August 19, 1952; Portland, Multnomah Co. cert. # 9322; spouse Dow Vernon Walker; died July 25, 1990; Multnomah Co, OR. cert. # 90-14592; age 80, birth Sept. 17, 1910; spouse Jane ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in August 2005 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.