Charles L. Walker was born in Breckenridge County, Kentucky, on June 4, 1852, being the son of Ralph B. and Judith (Compton) Walker, natives of Kentucky. The father was an orderly sergeant under Major Winker, in the Rebellion. Besides our subject they were the parents of the following named children: Henry C, born February 21, 1846, in Breckenridge County, was a private in Company R, Third Kentucky Cavalry, has been County commissioner in Barber County, Kansas, for six years and was nominated by the Democrats and Populists for representative; Mary E., wife of Ben F. Walker and born in Breckenridge County, November 8, 1848; Levi T., born January 14, 1850; John A., born September 17, 1854; George R., born November 27, 1857.
Our subject remained with his parents until he was twenty-two and then started in life for” himself, possessing the capital of two good strong hands, a courageous heart, and plenty of pluck. December 12, 1876, he married Emeline S., daughter of Hans S. and Millia Cochran. The father was born in Indiana on December 31, 1822, and served in the Rebellion. The mother was born in Tennessee and died on February 18. 1898. Mrs. Walker has the following named brothers and sisters: John W., born in Greene County, Indiana, on September 10, 1843, served in the Rebellion and died before the close of the war: William O., born in April, 1845, and served four years in the Rebellion, was one year with the militia in Kansas and also served in the same capacity in 1874 and 1875 m Barber County against the Indians, and then joined Roosevelt’s Rough Riders: Elizabeth J. Clements was born in July. 1855; Henry O., born in July, 1850, and served two years in the Rebellion: Albert W. and Alfred A., twins, born December 9, 1851: Emma S., born August 24, 1853: Mary A., born April 7, 1859 and married to Robert Kirby.
Our subject remained seven years in Barber County and served two years as sheriff, then followed the cattle business until 1882. In that year he came to Whitman County and farmed for three years. Then came six years in Washington, two in Milton, Oregon, after which he spent four years in Colfax, in charge of the orphans home. After this he traveled some time in Oregon and Idaho and finally settled about two miles northeast from Forest, where he has a fine piece of yellow pine land. He has devoted attention to clearing some of the land and making improvements.
Mr. Walker is an active man in advancing the school interests of the vicinity and a good substantial citizen. He is a Republican in political matters. To Mr. and Mrs. Walker there have been born the following named children: Laura E., born August 18, 1877; Zepher L., born December 7, 1878; Lenora G., born July 29, 1881; Albert A. and Albertia A., twins, born in Nez Perces County, January 15, 1885; Eugenia N., born in King County, Washington, on April 23, 1888: Herbert R., born March 15, 1897, in Whitman County, Washington. The first three were born in Barber County, Kansas.
Source: An Illustrated History of North Idaho: Embracing Nez Perce, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho; Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903