Dr. Emory J. Walker, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in New Haven, was born in Brooklyn, Michigan, November 2, 1844. His ancestry is traced back to a very early period in the settlement of New England, for in 1643 the name of "Widow Walker" appears on the list of those who gave in the value of their estates at Rehoboth, Massachusetts, for a pro rata division of the lands. She had formerly resided at Weymouth, in the Plymouth colony, and under the leadership of Rev. Samuel Newman went with the company to Rehoboth. She had two sons: James, of Taunton; and Philip, of Rehoboth. The latter was a weaver and a deed was given by him at Rehoboth in 1653. He held various positions of public trust and at the time of King Philip's war he contributed twenty-six pounds to aid in the prosecution of the conflict with the Indians. He married Jane Butterworth and the oldest of their six children was Samuel Walker, who in 1681 married Martha Ide, who was born in 1654 and passed away in 1700. Samuel Walker was admitted a freeman in 1682 and in King Philip's war he rendered active service, first as lieutenant and afterward as captain. The fourth of his eight children was Peter Walker, who was born in 1689 and died in 1760. In 1712 he married Mary Styles, whose birth occurred in 1691 and who passed away about 1732. They had twelve children, the ninth being Lieutenant Moses Walker, who enlisted at Rehoboth with minute men, following the "Lexington Alarm," and aided in the prosecution of the war for independence. On the 15th of March, 1753, he wedded Sarah Bowen, who was born January 2, 1735, and died March 3, 1768. The fifth and the youngest of their children was Ethel Walker, who was born August 29, 1767, and passed away September 22, 1844. In 1795 he married Susannah Carpenter, whose birth occurred in 1778 and who died in 1857. They were the grandparents of Dr. Emory J. Walker, whose father, Amos Walker, was the seventh of a family of ten children.

Amos Walker was born in Savoy, Massachusetts, March 6, 1811, and received his professional training in the medical department of Williams College, from which he was graduated in 1834. On the 27th of August of that year, in North Adams, Massachusetts, he wedded Mary Bliss, a daughter of Ephraim Bliss. She was born March 20, 1811. Almost immediately after their marriage they started westward, traveling with ox team and wagon to Michigan, establishing their home in Brooklyn. Dr. Walker there devoted his remaining days to the practice of medicine and he became one of the well known and prominent physicians of that locality. His death occurred in Owosso, Michigan, January 22, 1879. He had for several years survived his wife, who passed away February 2, 1866. They had a family of seven children: Mary Ellen, who was born in 1837 and died in 1869; Abel W., who was born April 5, 1839, and died in Pontiac, Michigan, November 29, 1865; Lawson Ethel, who was born in March, 1842, and died August 3, 1843; Emory Judson, of this review; George R., who was born November 2, 1848, and resides at Judsonia, Arkansas; Frank Bliss, born October 15, 1850; and Wealthy Evelyn, who was born August 9, 1854, and died on the 8th of September of that year.

In his youthful days Dr. Emory J. Walker was a pupil in the public schools of Pontiac, Michigan, and afterward attended Kalamazoo College at Kalamazoo, that state. Whether inherited tendency, environment or natural predilection had most to do with his choice of a career it is impossible perhaps to determine, but that the choice was wisely made has been proven by his subsequent success. He pursued his early reading under the direction of his father and later entered Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of 1868. He then located for practice in Pontiac, Michigan, where he remained until 1875, when he came to New Haven and opened an office. He is today one of the older practicing physicians in years of continuous connection with the profession In New Haven and is most highly respected not only by the general public but by his professional colleagues and contemporaries as well. For forty-two years Dr. Walker has figured in the professional circles of New Haven and has done splendid work for the benefit of his fellowmen. He was one of the organizers and founders of Grace Hospital, now one of the largest and best equipped institutions of the kind in the state. The first meeting of its board of directors was held in his office and plans were formulated resulting in the development of a most splendidly organized hospital, of which he has been a director and the secretary from the beginning and also a member of the hospital staff of practicing physicians and surgeons, being the obstetrician of the hospital since 1903. Throughout his entire professional career he his been actuated by a spirit of progress, keeping him in close touch with the most advanced thought and scientific research and investigation. In the per-formance of his professional duties he is most conscientious and his marked ability has ever kept him in a position of leadership in professional circles in Connecticut.

On the 23d of February, 1870, Dr. Walker was married to Miss Martha Pittman, of Pontiac, Michigan, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pittman, of a well known and prominent family there. They are the parents of two sons and two daughters. Abel W., born in Pontiac, Michigan, is now with the C. S. Mersick Company of New Haven. He is married and has two children, Bradford S. and Harriet M. Charles P. Walker, born in Pontiac, is a leading merchant tailor of New Haven and is married and has four sons. Mary Evelyn is the wife of Professor J. Glover Eldredge, dean of the University of Idaho, at Lewiston, and they have four children, Robert, Frances, Grace and Hugh. Grace Elizabeth is the wife of Professor George E. Nichols, of the department of botany in Yale University, and they have three children, Marion, Grace Elizabeth and George Emory. Dr. and Mrs. Walker also lost one child, Emory Judson, who was born March 31, 1888, and died on the 10th of February, 1889.

Dr. Walker holds membership in Hiram Lodge, No. 1, F. & A. M., of New Haven, and has ever been a loyal exemplar of the teachings of the craft. Along professional lines he has association with the County and State Homeopathic, Medical Societies and the New Haven Clinical Society and his colleagues vie in doing him honor not only as the nestor of the medical profession in Connecticut, but as one who throughout the entire period of his professional practice has held to the highest standards, making his work of great worth to the district in which he lives. Dr. Walker is a member of Calvary Baptist church, taking an active part in its affairs serving in various official capacities and being identified with Bible school work in both, city and state, for many years. While he has never been active as a club man, he holds membership in the Automobile Club. His personal qualities and characteristics are such as have ever commanded for him the confidence, warm regard and lasting friendship of those with whom he has been brought in contact.