George H. Walker
George H. Walker (October 22, 1811 – September 20, 1866) was an American trader and politician who helped found the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[1] He served as the 5th and 7th Mayor of Milwaukee.
Early life
Walker was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, and moved with his family to Illinois in 1825. He first arrived in Milwaukee on March 20, 1834. In June 1835, he founded the settlement of Walker's Point on the south side of the Milwaukee River and established a fur trading post. In 1846, Walker's settlement combined with two rival villages - Solomon Juneau's Juneautown (present day East Town) and Byron Kilbourn's Kilbourntown (present day Westown) - to incorporate the City of Milwaukee.
Political career
Walker served in the Wisconsin Territorial House of Representatives from 1842-1845 and in the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1851. Walker also served as the city's supervisor, register of the land office, alderman, and as mayor in 1851 and 1853. He was one of the builders of the city's first street car line in 1859.
He died on September 20, 1866 and is buried at Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee.[2]
Family life
Walker's younger brother, Isaac P. Walker, was a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, serving from 1848 to 1855.
| Preceded by Don A. J. Upham |
Mayor of Milwaukee 1851 |
Succeeded by Hans Crocker |
| Preceded by Hans Crocker |
Mayor of Milwaukee 1853 |
Succeeded by Byron Kilbourn |
References
- ↑ George H. Walker
- ↑ "Historical People". Forest Home Cemetery. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
Further reading
- "Jovial George Walker". (Mar. 15, 1934). Milwaukee Journal.
External links
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