Isaac Walker, former head of the Isaac Walker Hardware Company, and one of Peoria's pioneer business men, was born at Williamstown, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, December 1, 1803, the son of James and Ann (Cain) Walker. His parents came to America from the north of Ireland, his family on the maternal side being of Scotch- Irish extraction.
Mr. Walker received a common-school education and then learned the hardware business in his native town. Coming to Peoria in 1842, with Harvey Lightner as a partner he opened a retail and jobbing hardware store at the corner of Fulton and Water Streets, where they remained about two years, when they removed to a building which they had erected on Main between Washington and Water Streets. Mr. Lightner having retired from the firm, he was succeeded by George H. McIlvaine, when the style of the firm became Walker & McIlvaine, so continuing for many years. During the existence of this copartnership, the store was removed to Mr. McIlvaine's building on Adams between Main and Fulton Streets, where it remained until the withdrawal of Mr. McIlvaine to engage in the banking business. About this time the business was removed to the northwest corner of Washington and Fulton Streets, and Mr. Walker began to give his attention exclusively to the wholesale trade, admitting his son Edward H. into partnership. Alexander Thompson was also a member of the firm for some time.
Mr. Walker conducted a quiet, conservative business and, after the admission of his son to partnership, much of the management of its affairs devolved upon the latter. New life was gradually infused into the business and more progressive methods adopted, the effect of which was soon seen in the doubling of the volume of trade. Although gradually yielding the management of the firm to younger hands, Mr. Walker remained at its head and active in its affairs up to the very day of his death, which occurred November 27. 1880, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. On the 1st of January, 1879, the firm took the name of Isaac Walker & Son, and after his decease, its location was removed to Adams Street between Liberty and Fulton. Here it remained until the completion of the magnificent new building which it now occupies at 514-516 South Washington Street. In the meantime, after the demise of Mr. Walker, the firm name was changed to "The Isaac Walker Hardware Company," as a memorial in honor of its founder on the part of his children.
Mr. Walker was married. April 1, 1845, to Miss Sarah S. McIlvaine, daughter of Robert and Sarah (Siemens) McIlvaine, of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Of this union seven children were born, of whom four died in infancy. The surviving children are: Edward H., President of the Isaac Walker Hardware Company; Mary, now Mrs. William A. Herron of Peoria, and Anna, present Mrs. N. G. Moore, of Oak Park, a suburb of Chicago.
In politics Mr. Walker was an earnest, high-minded and patriotic Republican, who vigorously sustained the Government during the period of its greatest peril. He became a professing Christian in 1858, and united with the Second Presbyterian Church of Peoria by letter, in 1866, ever after adorning his profession by a consistent life which won the respect of all classes. To a reputation for integrity, which placed his name beyond the faintest suspicion of wrong-doing, he joined a spirit of generous benevolence, which made him the friend of the deserving poor. Trustful and confiding in others, he commanded the confidence of all who came in contact with him. It has been claimed by one who knew him best, that "his virtues were as conspicuous as they were gentle and helpful," and that "he never had an enemy." In fine, he was accorded, by the unanimous testimony of his fellow-citizens, the reputation of a pure and high-minded Christian gentleman.
Sources:
Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
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