Butte County Biographies

WILLIAM ASHLEY WALKER

Transcribed by Betty Wilson

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


  
            Widely and favorably known as one of the 
leading contractors and builders of Butte county, William Ashley Walker, of 
Biggs, holds a place of prominence among the influential business then of the 
community.  Enterprising, ambitious and possessing good executive ability, he 
has met with deserved success in his operations, and as a man of integrity and 
worth is highly esteemed by all.  A son of the late Erastus Barton Walker, he 
was born August 6, 1843, in St. Francois county, Mo., where his grandfather, on 
the paternal side, settled about 1800, removing there from North Carolina.
            Born in St. Francois county, Mo., in 1821, Erastus B. Walker 
followed the occupation to which he was reared, becoming a farmer and 
stock-raiser.  He also dealt largely in mules, shipping them down the 
Mississippi to New Orleans, for many years continuing the business established 
by his father at an early day.  Coming with his family across the plains to 
California in 1850, he was for several years engaged in prospecting and mining 
in the northern part of the state, having claims in Yreka, Laporte and Grass 
Valley.  Locating in San Joaquin county, near Stockton, in 1857, he was engaged 
in agricultural pursuits until 1875, when he remove to Chico, to the home of his 
son William, where, a few months later, he died.  He married, Lavina McKey, who 
was born in St. Francois county, Mo., and died in San Joaquin county, Cal.
            The oldest child in a family consisting of three sons and two 
daughters, William Ashley Walker was brought up on the home farm, near Stockton, 
and acquired his early education in the Stockton schools.  In 1861 he began 
business as a brick manufacturer in San Joaquin county.  Succeeding well, he 
enlarged his operations, locating in Biggs as a contractor and builder.  In 1870 
he took up land near this place, and has since made his home here the greater 
part of the time, although he has worked at his trade throughout northern 
California, and from 1874 until 1876 was a resident of Chico, where he 
manufactured brick.  Mr. Walker co-operated with other builders, and for thirty 
years or more has filled large contracts for building, and has taken contracts 
for supply material, in this line of his business having furnished the brick 
used in the building of the Butte County Infirmary, the county jail, and the 
addition to the county court house.  He built school houses at Redding, Maxwell, 
and in various parts of northern California; erected a hotel in Gridley; and has 
built nearly all the business blocks in Biggs.  He established the Remylard 
brickyard near Pleasanton, superintending it for two years.  He is a most 
capable, thorough-going business man, and owns business property that he rents 
in Chico, Biggs, and in other parts of the county, in this way receiving a good 
annual income.
            In Biggs, in 1890, Mr. Walker married Emma Sligar, who was born in 
Butte county, near this place, where her parents settled on coming here in 1857. 
 Politically Mr. Walker is a loyal supporter of the principles of the Republican 
party, and is active in the management of local affairs.  From 1888 until 1892 
he served as county supervisor for the fourth district, and in June, 1903, was 
one of the incorporators of the board of town trustees, of which he has since 
been the president.  Fraternally he belongs to the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen, and to the Independent Order of Foresters.
 
History of the State of California and Biographical Record of the Sacramento 
Valley, California, by Prof. J. M. Guinn, Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1906