Sweet Briar College - Briar Patch Yearbook (Sweet Briar, VA)

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BRIJIK VHTCYi C1)f lealkrrsi ECOLI.ECTIOXS of Sweet Briar witliout recollec- tions of It. St. Angelo and the Walkers would be (liflicult. In this year of its dedication to these dear friends of Sweet Briar, the Briar Patch is proud to tell tliis little story: l)i-. Walker was horn in ]Manchester. England, in 1841). In his very young days he was placed in the family of some friends of his father where he l)egan his education under tlie tutelage of an American woman. Miss Geldert. Later on he attended the Beaucliffe School at Eccles and studied under the Reverend John Hattersley. He was prepared for college at Dr. Cranswick ' s school for boys at Cheetham Hill. He entered Owens College at Manchester, where his father was a jjrofessor of art. He did his major work in chemistry under the direction of Carl Schorlemmer. the most famous organic chemist of his time. During his college days he enjoyed the rare privilege of association with the noted chemists. Bunsen, Roscoe. Kirchoflf. and Crookcs, a group of men whose names have always meant inspiration to scientists. After leaving Owens College. Dr. Walker worked for two years in the Hudson and Ligiitborn Toxicological I aboratory and studied medicine at the Manchester Royal Intirmary. Then, upon being recommended by his old professor. Sir Hetny Roscoe, he accepted a jiosition at Widnes as head chemist and physician for the Sullivan Company, the largest alkali works ever erected at one time. His ten years of experience in the hazardous business of manufacturing sidphuric acid, caustic soda, and chlorine gas were inteix ' sting. stirring years. It was diu ' ing this time and at the Sullivan Works that the world-famous chemical j)rocesses of AVeldon. Mond. Hai ' grcave. and Deacon were worked out and perfected. • .» ' %

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TlIK Walkkks

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mj{j vmcTi ( A During his einjjloynient as chemist at the Sullivan Works, Dr. Walker became widely known as an amateur racer, receiving his train- ing from Kddie Eolton. a celebrated Englisli runner. In his racing days, he won three hundred and seventy-five prizes in quarter-, half-, and one-mile races against all comers. Strangely enough, it was not because of the training Kddie Bolton gave him. but because of his musical talents that he won his best race. The prize was the charming, well-beloved Miss Pollie Taylor, whom he met through his musical accompanist, James Taylor. her brother. He was married in Fairfield in 1872. Dr. Walker remained in England eleven years after his marriage. For some time he had suffered from rheumatic troubles, and, realizing that a change of climate was necessary, he decided to go to America. In June. 1883. he settled with his family in the wilds of lanitoba. Canada. During the twelve years he remained in Manitoba, he was physician to the white settlers of the sin-rounding country and to two Indian tribes, the Elack Feet and the Sioux. He was a magistrate and chairman of the board of education. With his sons, he cultivated an extensive farm, and shared largely in the development of the vast stretches of prairie lands into well-jjopulated. prosperous communities. From Manitol)a Dr. Walker removed with his family to Hunt- ington. Florida, because of his wife ' s need of a milder climate. He remained there for over thirteen yeai ' s. ever contributing , in his accus- tomed generous way. to the welfare of the vicinity and to the happiness of the people about him. About nine years ago the Walkers came to Virginia and made their home next door to Sweet Briar. Since that time all Sweet Briar has shared their hospitality and their kindness, and has cherished their love and friendship.