California Biographies, San Joaquin Valley

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


 BENJAMIN F. WALKER, M.D. In every profession and trade we find men who have by their own efforts 
worked their way upward to their present responsible positions. B. F. Walker, by hard work, 
perseverance and industry, succeeded in gaining a college education and is now one of the leading 
medical practitioners of Fresno county. A native of Illinois, he was born in Vandalia, March 7, 1877. His 
father, B. F. Walker, was a native of the same state, where he was engaged in farming and stock-
raising until his death at the early age of thirty-three years. His wife bore the maiden name of Mildred 
Yarbrough, and is now living in Laton. By her marriage ^she became the mother of three children, all 
boys. 

Dr. Walker was the youngest child, and after attending the common schools he was allowed to attend 
the Fayette county high school in Vandalia, from which he was graduated in 1894. Thereafter he 
engaged in teaching in his native state for a time, but later accepted a position as a conductor on the 
Union Depot railway at St. Louis, which occupation he followed for three years, or until 1897, when he 
entered the Barnes Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1901. Soon after he came to 
California and located at Tres Pinos, where he engaged in the practice of medicine until February, 
1902, when he came to Laton. Here he has built up one of the best paying practices in the county, 
making a specialty of the nose and throat. Since coming here he has also been engaged in the drug 
business, but in December, 1904, he disposed of that business. 

In Laton, June 24, 1903, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Walker and Miss Edith A. Crews, who is a 
native of Fresno county, being a daughter of one of the pioneers of this county. Fraternally the doctor 
is quite prominent, being a member of the Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the 
Woodmen of the World. He has taken an active interest in the affairs of the Baptist Church, and for 
some time was superintendent of the Sunday-school. Holding membership with the Chamber of 
Commerce, he has taken an active part in the upbuilding of this section of the state, being at all times 
willing to give his time and attention to any movement calculated to be of material benefit to the state 
or county. Since coming here he has not only made hosts of friends, but has become one of the best 
specialists in his line located in this section of the state. Meantime he has performed his part as a 
citizen, serving in different capacities. He was one of the organizers and is now a director of the Laton 
public library. He is deputy health officer, having filled that office for the past three years. In 
connection with his profession he is a member of the Fresno County Medical Association, the 
California Medical Society, the Tri-county Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the 
San Joaquin Valley Medical Association. In all of these he stands high.