Sida B Walker
Submitted by:  Lynn Mack
 
 
Hop growing is rapidly becoming one of the most important industries
of Oregon, and prominent in this field of activity is Sida B. WALKER,
who has spent his entire life in the west and has gained an expert
knowledge of his occupation which can come only through long personal
experience.  He brings to the operation of his farm a scientific
knowledge of modern agriculture and a progressive and open mind,
realizing that the wealth of the country lies largely in its soil, and
his efforts are meeting with well deserved and gratifying success.
 
Mr. WALKER is a worthy representative of one of Oregon's honored
pioneer families. He was born in Benton country, January 13, 1859, and
is a son of James T. and Amanda (MARTIN) WALKER, the former a native
of Iowa and the latter of Ohio.  The mother was a daughter of Jacob
MARTIN, who in 1847 crossed the plains to Oregon as captain of an
emigrant train, known as the Bare-Headed Company, so called because of
the fact that its captain, Mr. MARTIN, was never seen wearing a hat.
James T. WALKER crossed the plains with his parents by means of ox
teams and wagons in 1852, when a youth of seventeen years, being
obliged to walk during the greater part of the journey.  Both the
maternal and paternal grandparents took up land in Benton county,
their claims adjoining each other.  Subsequently Jacob MARTIN traded
his claim in Benton county for land in the vicinity of Rickreall, in
Polk county, this being about 1870.  There he continued to reside
throughout the remainder of his life, passing away about 1891, while
his wife's demise occurred about 1900.  The paternal grandfather
remained on his farm in Benton county until his demise about 1870 and
his wife survived him for many years, passing away about 1900 when
nearly one hundred years old.  Their son, James T. WALKER, on
attaining manhood engaged in the occupation of farming, cultivating
his share of his father's estate in Benton county until 1873, when he
removed to Polk county and there purchased land, which he operated for
a number of years and then went to Washington, taking up his residence
in Bellingham, where he spent his remaining years.  He passed away in
1905, having long survived his wife, whose death occurred in 1876.
 
Sida B. WALKER was reared in Polk county and there attended the
district schools, also for a short time the schools in Benton county.
When about nineteen years of age he began cultivating rented land,
which for about eight years he continued to operate.  He then turned
his attention to mercantile pursuits, becoming the owner of a general
mercantile establishment at Rickreall, in Polk county, which he
conducted for two years and then sold.  He next became a resident of
Independence and there for three years devoted his energies to the
management of a grocery business and then purchased one hundred and
twenty-four acres of land situated one and a half miles from
Independence, on which he has since engaged in the growing of hops.
He has made a close study of the business and his labors have been
attended with good results.  The spirit of enterprise characterizes
him in all of his work and he carries forward to successful completion
whatever he undertakes.
 
On the 3d of October, 1882, Mr. WALKER was united in marriage to Miss
Georgia TATOM, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William TATOM, honored
pioneer settlers of Oregon, the former arriving in the state in 1852
and the latter in 1847.  The father engaged in farming in Polk county
and there resided during the balance of his life.  Mr. and Mrs. WALKER
have become the parents of three sons, namely: Guy G., who is
conducting a dry goods and grocery business in Independence; Ray M.
who is serving as mayor of Independence; and Dean H., a furniture
dealer of Eugene.
 
Mr. WALKER gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and
has served as a member of the city council.  His life record
illustrates the power of diligence and determination in winning
success.  His labors have always been constructive and intelligently
carried forward and have resulted in placing him in the front rank of
progressive farmers in Polk county, where his sterling traits of
character have won for him many friends.
 
 
 
History of Oregon, Biographical, Vol. II, The Pioneer Historical
Publishing Company, 1922, Pages 439-440.
 
 

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