Francis Ingold Walker Family papers

The Francis Walker papers consist of 281 letters written by Francis Walker; his wife, Mary; and seven of their nine children. The letters detail life at home in New Albany, Ind., where Rev. and Mrs. Walker operated a farm and nursery, cultivating fruit and flowers. College life at DePauw University is described by the four Walkers who attended.

Francis Walker was born in New Richmond, Ohio in 1831. His father died four years later, but Walker's mother and grandfather, who had taught at one of the first schools in the Cincinnati area, instilled a love of learning in him that he would pass on to his own children. He attended Ohio Wesleyan University and, greatly influenced by the preaching of the ministers at the local Methodist Episcopal church, he experienced a Christian conversion while there. In 1852 he moved with his mother to New Albany. At first he taught school, but in 1857 he was appointed by the Indiana Conference to the ME church in Paoli. Appointments at churches throughout southern Indiana followed.

In the early 19th century, most ME ministers in Indiana did not marry because of low wages and difficult life. Those who did marry and had children almost invariably left the itinerant ministry. Although ministerial life had improved in Indiana by the late 19th century, it was still a hardship for a man to support a wife and children on the low salary of a minister, while moving his family from one community to another every year or two. Francis Walker married Mary Graham on May 16, 1855. While they were blessed with a large family, Francis and Mary found that they could not manage rearing and educating their children with Francis working as an itinerant minister. He asked to be given supernumerated status in 1874. It was then that Rev. Walker began his nursery business in New Albany.

Four of the nine Walker children were alumni of DePauw University: Earl, 1900; Ernest, Academy 1887; Francis I., 1896; and John M., 1896. John M. Walker later graduated from Boston University's School of Theology and received a Doctor of Divinity from DePauw. Like his father, Francis, he pastored churches in Indiana and served as a district superintendent of the New Albany District. He also taught in DePauw=s department of rhetoric and oratory from 1897-1901.

Francis I. Walker was a teacher and principal at high schools in Colorado and Illinois, and he wrote textbooks on English and rhetoric. An accomplished musician, he composed songs and music for band and orchestra, conducted the Northwest University Military Band and Illinois Naval Reserve Band, and was a member of other bands as a cornetist. He also received an A.M. degree from Colorado College. Earl C. Walker was a mechanical engineer specializing in automotive engineering. He was president of both his own automobile appliance company, the E. C. Walker Company, and later the Transit Motor Truck Company. He was also a research engineer for the Stanley Motor Carriage Company in Newton, Mass.

A brother, Ferdinand, entered DePauw College art department at New Albany, Ind. (formerly the DePauw College for Young Ladies), in 1874 at the age of 15. He pursued art professionally, opening his first studio in New Albany when he was 24. While studying art abroad, he was named president of the American Society of Artists in Paris. Although he painted many subjects, Ferdinand Walker was well-known for his portrait work, having governors, U.S. senators and college presidents among those sitting for portraits. Another brother, Herbert, stayed in New Albany to help run the family business. Some of his letters to brothers John and Frank at DePauw are also preserved in this collection. Letters from the Walker children to their parents describe life at DePauw in the late 19th century. Letters they received from their parents describe events at home and encourage their sons at college.