Elkanah Walker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elkanah Walker
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| Born | August 7, 1805 North Yarmouth, Maine
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| Died | November 21, 1877 (aged 72) Forest Grove, Oregon
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| Occupation | Pioneer |
Elkanah Walker (born 1805, died 1877) was an American pioneer. He was one of the first settlers in the Oregon Country. This area is now the states of Oregon and Washington.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Elkanah Walker was born on August 7, 1805. He was the sixth child of Jeremiah and Jane Walker. His family lived on a farm near North Yarmouth, Maine. Later, he went to the Bangor Theological Seminary to study.
A Life of Mission
Elkanah Walker wanted to be a missionary. He first hoped to work in Africa. However, because of problems there, the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions sent him to the Oregon Country instead.
He met Mary Richardson. She also wanted to be a missionary. They met on April 22, 1837. Just two days later, they got engaged! They married quickly on March 5, 1838. They left for their mission just two days after that.
Elkanah and Mary had eight children in the Oregon Country:
- Cyrus Hamlin Walker
- Abigail Boutwell Walker
- Marcus Whitman Walker
- Joseph Elkanah Walker
- Jeremiah Walker
- John Richardson Walker
- Levi Chamberlain Walker
- Samuel Thompson Walker
Work with Native Americans
The Walkers traveled to the Oregon Country with other missionaries. From August 1838 to June 1848, they worked for the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. Elkanah and Cushing Eells and their wives started the Tshimakain Mission. They lived there and learned the local language. They shared their Protestant faith with the Spokane People.
In 1842, Elkanah Walker and Cushing Eells printed the Spokane Primer. This was a book to help people learn the Salish language. It was the first book ever written in what is now Washington state.
The Whitman Massacre
On November 29, 1847, a terrible event happened. Cayuse Indians attacked the Whitman Mission in Walla Walla. This event is known as the Whitman massacre. Elkanah Walker and Cushing Eells were supposed to be at the Whitman Mission that day. But Elkanah Walker became sick. Cushing Eells did not want to leave their families alone during winter. So, they were not there.
On June 22, 1848, soldiers helped the Eells and Walker families. They were taken safely to the area of Oregon City, Oregon.
Later Life and Legacy
After arriving in Oregon City, Elkanah Walker bought a wagon. He started moving goods for people. In October 1849, he and his family moved to Forest Grove, Oregon. There, he claimed land under the Donation Land Claim Act. He started farming and continued preaching. For many years, he led Congregational churches in Forest Grove.
Elkanah Walker was also important in starting Whitman College. He was a member of its first Board of Trustees in 1860. He even gave land to the college. The first building was built on this land.
Elkanah Walker passed away in Forest Grove on November 21, 1877. His wife, Mary Walker, lived until 1896 or 1897.
