RAY M

Ray M Walker
Submitted by: Lynn Mack

Ray M. WALKER, mayor of Independence, is also prominently identified

with business interests of the city as a member of the firm of Craven

& Walker, reliable and progressive merchants of this vicinity. The

family is a prominent and honored one in the state, having been

established within its borders in pioneer times. The father, Sida B.

WALKER, was born in Benton county, Oregon, January 13, 1859, and is a

son of James T. and Amanda (MARTIN) WALKER, the former of whom arrived

in this state in 1852, when a youth of seventeen years. He first

became a resident of Benton county, where he followed farming until

1873,when he purchased land in Polk county and was active in its

cultivation for many years. In later life he removed to Bellingham,

Washington, and there passed away in 1905. His son, Sida B. WALKER,

was reared in Polk county and in young manhood took up the occupation

of farming, cultivating rented land for about eight years.

Subsequently he was for two years engaged in general merchandising at

Rickreall, in Polk county, and later removed to Independence, where

for three years he conducted a grocery store. He then purchased a

farm of one hundred and twenty-four acres adjoining the town and has

since been engaged in hop raising, in which he has been very

successful. On the 3d of October, 1882, he wedded Miss Georgia TATOM,

by whom he has three sons: Guy G., who is conducting a dry goods and

grocery business in Independence; Ray M. who was born in Polk county,

July 2, 1885; and Dean H., a furniture dealer of Eugene.

Ray M. WALKER attended the public schools of Rickreall and the high

school at Independence. From 1902 until 1904 he was a student in the

Oregon Agricultural College at Corvallis and in 1905 he entered the

State University at Eugene, which he attended during the two

succeeding years. On completing his university course he entered the

theatrical field, opening a moving picture house in Eugene and

becoming one of the pioneers in that line of activity in the state. In

1913 he removed to Independence, where he purchased an interest in a

general mercantile establishment, with which he has since been

connected, the business being conducted under the firm style of Crave

& Walker. They carry a large and well assorted line of general

merchandise and their enterprising and progressive methods, reasonable

prices and courteous treatment of customers have won for them a

gratifying patronage. Mr. WALKER is also interested in farming

pursuits and in association with his brother, Dean H., is engaged in

raising hops, having eighty acres devoted to that industry. In the

conduct of his business affairs, he has displayed sound judgment and

is a typical western man, wide-awake, alert and enterprising, carrying

forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.

In his political views Mr. WALKER is a republican and in November,

1920, was elected mayor of Independence, giving to the city a

businesslike and progressive administration and making a most credible

record in office. His standing in commercial circles of his community

is indicated in the fact that he is serving as president of the Retail

Merchants' Association and is a most progressive and public-spirited

citizen, doing everything in his power to promote the welfare and

upbuilding of his community. Fraternally he is identified with the

Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the

Masons and he also belongs to the Sigma Nu, a college society. He

enlisted for service in the World war and in August, 1917, was sent to

the officers' training camp at the Presidio at San Francisco,

California, where he was commissioned first lieutenant. He was sent

to Camp Lewis, Washington, and assigned to the Three Hundred and

Sixty-fourth Infantry of the Ninety-first Division. In June, 1918, he

went overseas and was engaged in the battle of St. Mihiel and also in

the Argonne forest, participating in some of the severest engagements

of the campaign. He was discharged May 14, 1919, and for his gallant

and meritorious conduct on the field of battle was promoted to the

rank of captain. He is a member of the American Legion, becoming the

organizer and the first president of the local post, and was sent as a

delegate to the convention at Portland. He is adding new lustre to an

honored family name and is a young man of high principles and

substantial qualities, displaying devotion to the duties that devolve

upon him.

History of Oregon, Biographical, Vol. II, The Pioneer Historical

Publishing Company, 1922, Pages 443-444.

County Coordinator: Gayle Triller
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