WALKER, FRANCIS, son of Abel and Sophronia
(Livingstone) Walker, was born in Peacham, Vermont, in 1825. He was educated
at Peacham academy. Employed by William Mattocks, son of Governor John
Mattocks, as general chore boy on the farm, he early formed those habits
of industry and faithful efficiency which have characterized his long and
useful career. He came to St. Johnsbury in 1845, and entered the foundry
at the Fairbanks Scale works, to learn the moulder's trade, at the price
of $100 per year for two years, afterwards receiving from 75 cents to $1.25
per day. The working force at the foundry at that time consisted of six
men, who were engaged in making stoves, ploughs, hoes, forks, and scales.
Some time during the fifties the work was entirely devoted to the manufacture
of scales. At the present time the iron and brass foundries employ one
hundred and sixty men. Mr. Walker was appointed foreman of the foundry
fifty-four years ago, and has continued to hold that responsible position
until the present time. During his fifty-eight years of service for the
Fairbanks company, he has helped to establish many important changes and
improvements and followed to the grave two generations of his honored employers.
He was elected to the legislature from St. Johnsbury in 1890.
Francis Walker married Louise H. Powers of
Lyndon in 1857, who died in 1890, leaving one son, Arthur F. Walker. He
married Miss Clara E. Davis of St. Johnsbury. He was an esteemed citizen,
conducted the drug business fourteen years, and died in January, 1901.
Colonel Walker resides with his daughter-in-law on Summer street. He is
the senior employee of the Fairbanks company, a connecting link of the
past and the present generations, and highly esteemed and respected by
his associates and the public. Mr. Walker is a Republican and in religious
preference a Congregationalist.
Source:
Successful Vermonters, William H. Jeffrey, E. Burke, Vermont, The Historical
Publishing Company, 1904, page 89-90.
Prepared
by Tom Dunn, April 2005
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