b. October 22, 1811
d. September 20, 1866

George H. Walker was a pioneer trader, real estate promoter, and politician. He was especially interested in and involved in many of Wisconsin's early railroad ventures. Walker's brother was Isaac Pigeon Walker, one of Wisconsin's first U.S. Senators (1848-1855).

Early Life and Fur Trade Career

Born in Lynchburg, Virginia, Walker moved west with his father in 1825. They settled in Gallatin County, Illinois.

In 1833, the lure of fur-trade profits brought him to Solomon Juneau's trading post on the Milwaukee River. Walker located south of the river at what became Walker's Point in March of 1834. Here, he pre-empted a quarter section of land and erected a cabin and warehouse. He eventually secured title to the land in 1849 when he received a patent from the federal government.

Engaging for a time in the Indian trade, Walker ultimately occupied a position in the development of Milwaukee's south side that was similar to that of Juneau and Morgan L. Martin on the east side, and that of Byron Kilbourn on the west side of the Milwaukee River.

Political Life

A Democrat, Walker was active in local politics. He was a member of the lower house of the territorial legislature (1842-1845), and served as state assemblyman (1851). From 1845 to 1849, he was register of the Milwaukee land office. Walker also served two terms as mayor of Milwaukee (1851, 1853).

Railroad Promoter

A leading promoter of many of the state's early railroad ventures, he was especially interested in the Milwaukee and Mississippi R.R., the Milwaukee and Watertown R.R., and the La Crosse and Milwaukee R.R.

B. Still, Milwaukee (Madison, 1948); J. A. Watrous, Memoirs of Milwaukee Co. (2 vols., Madison, 1909); Milwaukee Sentinel, Sept. 21, 1866; WPA field notes.

The Wisconsin Historical Society has manuscripts related to this topic. See the catalog description of the George H. Walker Miscellany for details.

Wikipedia article on George H. Walker

[Source: Dictionary of Wisconsin biography]