The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 728 

JOSEPH CALVIN WALKER.

Joseph Calvin Walker is a self-made man whose success is the direct result of
earnest and unfaltering labor. Today he is the owner of a good ranch property of
thirty-five acres two miles west of Emerald. He was born in Marion county, Iowa,
August 27, 1863, a son of Jesse and Rhoda Miranda (Childers) Walker, who were
pioneer settlers of the Hawkeye state, where the father died in 1865 and the
mother in 1871.

Joseph C. Walker was thus left an orphan when a little lad of but eight years
and spent his youthful days in the home of an uncle, acquiring a public school
education. In 1879 he went to Nebraska, where he worked on a ranch, and later
he took up government land and began the development of a farm. Eventually he
sold that property preparatory to removing to the northwest. He made his way to
Port Townsend, Washington, where he arrived on the 9th of November, 1882, and
there he engaged in the draying and transfer business until 1894, when he came
to Yakima county and entered the employ of David Longmire, for whom he worked
for his board. Later he worked for wages and in due course of time he leased
land near Yakima, which he cultivated for three years. While thus engaged he
carefully saved his earnings and in 1899 he purchased ten acres on South Nob
Hill, of which he planted four acres to orchards. The remainder of his land was
devoted to the raising of hay and potatoes. He sold out there in October, 1917,
however, and purchased thirty-five acres two miles west of Emerald, Washington.
Upon this place he raises hay, potatoes and corn and he now has a well developed
ranch property from which he annually derives a substantial income.

On Christmas day of 1894 Mr. Walker was united in marriage to Miss Cora
Aumiller, who was born in Mendota, Illinois, a daughter of William and Anna
Elizabeth (Mcllroy) Aumiller, who were natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs.
Walker have become parents of three children: Jesse Edgar, who married Myrtle
Whidden and is now a member of the United States army: William Eugene, who
enlisted on the 10th of April, 1917, and has been with the United States Marines
in France: and Earl, at home.

Mr. Walker and his family are well known in the community where they reside and
have gained many warm friends in their part of Yakima county. He has won a place
among the substantial ranchers and certainly deserves much credit for what he
has accomplished. His life illustrates the possibilities for achievement through
energy, enterprise and determination and his record should serve to inspire and
encourage others.

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Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in January 2008 by Jeffrey L. Elmer.
Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.