Nationality American Spouse(s) Eliza B. Hall | Occupation Architect Died 11 March 1905 | |
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Born April 14, 1830 ( 1830-04-14 ) Seekonk, Massachusetts Practice William R. Walker & Son
Walker & Gould Buildings Robinson Hall,
Equitable Building,
Northbridge Memorial Town Hall Alma mater Scholfield's Commercial College Structures Bell Street Chapel, Clouds Hill, Isaac Davis House | ||
William R. Walker (April 14, 1830 – March 11, 1905) was an American architect from Providence, Rhode Island, who was later the senior partner of William R. Walker & Son.
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Early life
Major-General William Russell Walker was born on April 14, 1830, in a part of Seekonk, Massachusetts that is presently part of East Providence, Rhode Island, to Alfred and Huldah Walker. He attended the public schools, and graduated from the Seekonk Classical Seminary in 1846. For three years he was a builder's apprentice in Providence, and studied architectural drawing at Scholfield's Commercial College in his free time. In 1850 he went to Augusta, Georgia, but returned to Pawtucket the following year, where he would live for the rest of his life. In 1861 he was commissioned first lieutenant of Company E of the 1st Rhode Island Detached Militia. The regiment mustered out three months later in August.
Architectural career
In 1864, Walker established himself as an architect in Providence's Merchants Bank Building, moving to the Reynolds Building (37 Weybosset) by 1871. In 1874 his son, W. Howard Walker, entered the office as a student and draftsman. Walker practiced alone until January 1876, when he made Thomas J. Gould, draftsman since 1868, partner in Walker & Gould. In about 1878, Walker & Gould moved into their new Vaughan Building, on Custom House Street. Walker & Gould was dissolved as of January 1881, and the Walkers formed a new firm, William R. Walker & Son. Gould established Gould & Angell with Frank W. Angell, another Walker draftsman. During the 1880s to 1890s, Walker & Son grew to become one of the state's largest firms.
Walker continued in his position as senior partner until his death in 1905. His son (died 1922) and grandson (died 1936) each operated the firm until their deaths.
Personal life
In 1852, Walker married Eliza B. Hall, who died in 1895. They had two children, George Clinton (1853-1883) and William Howard (1856-1922), the latter of whom was associated with him in his business.
Walker was very politically active. He was a member of the North Providence town council, as well as that of Pawtucket when it incorporated as an independent town. He also served two terms in the Rhode Island general assembly. He was active in the state militia for twenty years, and retired with the rank of major-general. It was through the many polital connections he developed that he was able to obtain the commissions for so many public buildings throughout the state.
Walker died on March 11, 1905. He is buried at Swan Point Cemetery.