Cumberland County, Maine - Gardner Walker
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Biography
Gardner Walker
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 679


Gardner Walker, Street Commissioner of Deering, Me., where he is well known as a
man of sterling integrity, was born at Fryeburg, Me., on September 26, 1843, son
of Barnes and Catherine (Colby) Walker.

Barnes Walker was a native of Stow, Me., and received his education in the
common schools of that town. He remained with his parents on the homestead, and
at his father's death he assumed the management of the old homestead and the
care of the family. Subsequently he went to Fryeburg,. Oxford County, Me., where
for a number of years he was in the employ of Joseph Colby; and after his
marriage he purchased a farm near by, which he conducted with success until
about sixty-five years of age. He then sold out and removed to Lovell, Me., and
spent his last days in retirement, dying there in 1883. His wife Catherine was a
daughter of Joseph Colby, of Fryeburg; and their marriage was celebrated in
1830. Six children were born to them, of whom five lived to attain years of
discretion, namely: Marshall, who died in Lovell, Me., in March, 1894; Joseph, a
soldier of the Civil War, who lost his life in service; Seth, who
died in Lovell in April, 1895; Elizabeth C., who married George Shirley; and
Gardner. Both parents were members of the Orthodox church.

Gardner Walker, who was named for Gardner Colby, the founder of Colby
University, received his early education in the common schools of Fryeburg, and
afterward attended Fryeburg Academy. When he had completed his course of study,
he engaged in school teaching for a time, and later on went to work in a store
conducted by his father and brother, with whom he remained for five years. In
1867 he came to Portland and entered the employ of D. W. True & Co., wholesale
grocers, as a travelling salesman, and continued in that position for five
years, when he was obliged to leave it on account of ill health. He next
purchased a general store in Fryeburg, which he conducted for three years, and
then sold out to its former owners. Shortly after, he resumed his old occupation
of a travelling salesman, this time in the employ of A. F. Cox & Son, for whom
he worked fourteen years; but ill health again forced him to give up this
employment, and for fifteen months he was laid up with nervous prostration.

On November 23, 1863, Mr. Walker was joined in marriage with. Miss Charlotte
Helen Gamage, a daughter of Nelson Gamage, of Fryeburg. Their home has been,
brightened and blessed by the -birth of one daughter, Catherine Colby.

During his residence in Lovell Mr. Walker served as Town Treasurer for three
years. In 1894 he was elected Street Commissioner of Deering, and in 1895 he was
re-elected to the same position. Fraternally, he is a member of Deering. Lodge,
A. F. & A. M.; Mount Vernon Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Portland Commandery,
Knights Templars; and the Pine Tree Lodge, Knights of Pythias. Mr. and Mrs.
Walker attend and support the Congregational Church of Deering.