Bio: Walker, Ormel (b. 1825)
Contact: Stan

Surnames: Walker, Currier, Hazelton, Dunham, Steves

----Source: Historical and Biographical Album of the Chippewa Valley, Wiconsin (1891 - 1892) Page 387, contributed by Sandra Wright

Walker, Ormel (b. 13 Dec 1825)

Oramel Walker, retired, Eau Claire, came to Eau Claire County when but a few white people had as yet to venture this far into the almost trackless forests. He arrived here in October, 1853, and made his first location on a tract of land near Porter’s Mills, now in the township of Brunswick. Mr. Walker is, without a doubt, the first man who entered land in Eau Claire County, at the land office for faming purposes. He entered a quarter section and afterward bought and improved land until, in 1869, when he quit farming and sold out, he has 400 acres under the plow. And it was thought by all to be the finest farm in the river district. At the time of his entry on the river bottoms, there was but one house between his and the Mississippi river. In 1869 Mr. Walker invested in city property and pine land, and since that time has been occupied in looking after his varied interest in the city and county. He is a native of the Granite state, having been born in Hebron, Grafton County, N.H., December 13, 1825, and can trace his ancestry back to the old colonial times, his family being among very early settlers in that state. His grandfather, Bruce Walker, was born in New Hampshire, participated in the Revolutionary war, and was with the colonial army during all of that memorable struggle. He married a Miss Currier, of English descent. The only one of their children of whom we have a record is Daniel, the father of our subject, who was also born in New Hampshire and was a farmer by occupation. He married Miss Hannah Hazleton, also a native of New Hampshire, and their family consisted of nine children, two of whom are still living, Oramel and a brother. Oramel Walker spent his early life on this father’s farm in New Hampshire, and attended the common school there. At the age of eighteen years he began work for himself, buying and selling horses. In 1850 the western fever struck him and he came out to McHenry County, Ill., where he remained on a farm for about three years, and in the fall of 1853, came to Eau Claire County as previously related. He was united in marriage, January 6, 1864, with Mary S., a daughter of Ezekiel and Mary A. (Steves) Dunham of New York state. They have has but one child, which died in infancy. Mrs. Walker is a member of the Barstow Street Methodist Episcopal church. Politically, Mr. Walker is an independent and adheres to no party lines.