Edward Lee Walker
Few names are better known in Sonoma county than that of Walker, represented by that noble pioneer, John Walker, who came to this section and located in Santa Rosa valley in 1850. He was born in Jackson county, Mo., February 5, 1826, the son of Joel P. Walker. When a youth of twenty-two years he came overland to California, reaching his journey’s end in September 1848. Going at once to the mines in the American river, he remained there until June of the next year, when with the means he had in the meantime accumulated he located on the present site of the city of Sacramento and established the Missouri house, which for four months served as a lodging place for weary travelers in the days of ’49. An uncle, Capt. Joseph R. Walker had come west as early as 1840, making the journey in company with a party of traders in the interests of the American Fur Company. From Oregon he finally came south into California, his advent into the state dating from October 19, 1841. Later years found him interested in gold mining, and in a prospecting trip to the southern part of the state he passed through country which he had traversed many years before, a portion of which still bears the name of Walker’s Pass. It was to join his uncle in the expedition that John Walker gave up the management of the Missouri house after it had been established only four months. Three months of prospecting satisfied his ambition in this direction, and after a short time passed in Napa county, where his father was located, he came to the Santa Rosa valley, in 1850, as previously stated. He immediately set about building a house for his family, this being the first redwood house in the valley, and near the present location of Sebastopol. The following year, 1851, he opened the first mercantile establishment in this part of the country, being associated in the enterprise with Joseph Morgan Miller, and the first postoffice in the country for miles around was kept in the old house now standing in the rear of the family homestead in Analy township, Mr. Walker serving as postmaster. Subsequently Mr. Walker became interested in general farming and stock-raising, a business which made him a very wealthy man. At his death, February 16, 1895, he owned four thousand acres of land, the income from which was enormous. The marriage of John Walker November 6, 1851, united him with Miss Eleanor Morin, and four sons and three daughters were born to them, as follows: Harriet Jane, Mary J., Joel M., John L., Ella D., Edward Lee and Willis Y.
Next to the youngest of the children in the parental family, Edward Lee Walker was born in Sebastopol January 19, 1866. Brought up on the large home ranch, he had an excellent opportunity to acquire a thorough knowledge of the business in all of its branches, and after completing his education he gave his entire attention to agriculture. Upon attaining his majority his father gave him five hundred and twenty-nine acres of land, a part of the old home p lace, which he leased, and continued to give his attention to the care of the homestead. Upon the death of the father Edward Lee and his brother John were made administrators of the estate, the duties of which involved considerable work, as the estate was large, containing five thousand acres of land, valued at $76,000. In 1895 Mr. Walker disposed of his large stock farm, retaining, however, the home now occupied by the family. This comprises about fifty acres devoted to the raising of fruit, principally apples and berries. It has a magnificent location on Alto Crest Hill, permitting an almost unbroken view of the Santa Rosa valley.
Though Mr. Walker was always intensely interested in his agricultural enterprises, he by no means neglected his duty as a good citizen, and in him the Democratic party had a stanch ally. On the ticket of this party he served as constable of Sebastopol for four years, but any other honors of a public nature he declined to accept.
The marriage of Edward Lee Walker and Miss Mary F. Fannin was celebrated April 18, 1894. Mrs. Walker was a native of Forest Hill, Placer county, Cal., the daughter of Michael and Marion (Broughan) Fannin, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter a native of Georgia and the representative of an old southern family. Mr. Fannin was a well-known pioneer settler in Placer county, where he was known as a successful business man, the owner of mines, stores and mills. At his death in that county he left three children, Rose, Mary F. (familiarly known as Dolly), and Alice F. The mother of these children is still living in San Francisco, the widow of Dietrich Bahten, who was formerly well known in mining circles. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Walker two are living, Marion Eleanor and Lee Fannin, who are at home with their mother. The death of Mr. Walker, November 5, 1903, left a blank in the home circle, taking away a kind husband and father, and removing one of the best citizens Sebastopol has ever known.
History
of Sonoma County, California
History by Tom Gregory : Historic Record Company, 1891
Los Angeles, Ca. 1911
Transcribed by Roberta Hester Leatherwood
July 21, 2011 Pages 852-853
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