Walker family facts for kids
The Walker family became well-known because of its first important member, T. B. Walker (Thomas Barlow Walker). He was a very successful American businessperson who bought forests in Minnesota and California. He built one of the biggest timber companies in the country at that time. T. B. Walker also collected art and made it available for everyone to see. He started the Minneapolis Public Library and is the founder of the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, which is named after him. Today, some of his son Clinton Walker's family still live in Northern California. They own 142,500 acres of forest land called Shasta Forests, which is certified as sustainably managed by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
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The Walker Family's Early History and Businesses
T. B. Walker was born on February 1, 1840, in Xenia, Ohio. His parents were Platt Bayless Walker and Anstis Keziah Barlow Walker. In 1863, Walker married Harriet Granger Hulet, who was his college classmate and his boss's daughter. They had eight children together.
In 1862, Walker moved to Minnesota. He got a job surveying pine trees, which helped him learn a lot about the forests in northern Minnesota. This knowledge was key to him becoming rich in the timber business. Starting in 1867, Walker formed many partnerships in the timber business in Minnesota. Even during a tough economic time in the 1890s, T. B. Walker helped Minneapolis grow a lot. He built many factories, a market, a streetcar line, and even hotels for workers.
The Red River Lumber Company
The main business of the Walker family was the Red River Lumber Company (RRLC), started in 1884. This company built and ran sawmills in Minnesota, South Dakota, and Northern California. The RRLC was also famous for the legendary character Paul Bunyan. Stories about Paul Bunyan, a giant lumberjack, were created by the company's publicist. These stories were based on tales told by local lumberjacks. Paul Bunyan eventually became a symbol for RRLC products.
Walker's sons took over the Red River Lumber Company after the first mill in California was built in 1912. During this time, Walker also built entire towns for his company workers, like Akeley, Minnesota, and Westwood, California.
Clinton Walker was T. B. Walker's fifth son. His family still lives in Northern California today. Clinton married Della Brooks around 1901. They had three children: Brooks Walker, Harriet E. Walker Henderson, and Alma Virginia Walker Hearst McKeever. Clinton worked for his father and the RRLC at different times. He also invented car parts and invested in making movies.
Harriet, T. B. Walker's wife, passed away in 1917 while on a business trip. T. B. Walker himself died at his home in Minneapolis on July 28, 1928, when he was 88 years old.
The Walker Family's Recent History and Businesses
The Red River Lumber Company eventually changed its name to Shasta Forests Company in the 1940s. For many years, the Walker family, through Shasta Forests, managed their California forest land as a long-term investment.
Sustainable Forestry Practices
The family is dedicated to managing forests in a way that protects them for the future. For the last 40 years, Shasta Forests has focused on "tree farming" and carefully choosing which trees to cut. This helps make sure there's always timber available. It also keeps the forest healthy, with clean water, good soil, homes for wildlife, and places for people to enjoy. Shasta Forests was one of the first forest owners in California to get FSC-certified. This means they meet high standards for responsible forest management.
By cutting fewer trees than grow and leaving the best trees to keep growing, Shasta Forests has doubled its timber supply. The forests are now healthier and stronger. The taxes paid by Shasta Forests and the jobs created by timber production have brought in millions of dollars for local, state, and federal governments.
Helping the Community: Philanthropy
The Walker family has a long history of giving back to the community.
The Walker Art Center
T. B. Walker loved collecting art and wanted everyone to see it. In 1879, he opened his home so the public could view his personal art collection. By 1915, about 100,000 people visited his collection each year. In 1926, T. B. Walker built a special gallery building where the Walker Art Center is now located.
The city of Minneapolis did not accept Walker's art collection and gallery as a gift. So, in 1925, the T. B. Walker Foundation, Inc. was created to own and manage it. Most of his original collection was later given away or sold to buy more modern art.
T. B. Walker started the current Walker Art Center in 1927. It was the first public art gallery in the Upper Midwest. Today, it is known as one of the top museums in the United States for modern art.
The Minneapolis Public Library
T. B. Walker played a huge part in building the Minneapolis Public Library system. He was a director and president of the library board from when it started in 1885 until he passed away in 1928.
Important Walker Family Members
- Platt Bayless Walker (1808–1849)
- Anstis Keziah Barlow Walker (1814–1883)
- T. B. Walker (1840–1928) married Harriet Granger Hulet (1841–1917)
- Gilbert M. Walker (1864–1928)
- Julia A. Walker (1865?–1952?)
- Leon B. Walker (1868–1887)
- Harriet Walker (1870–1904)
- Fletcher L. Walker (1872–1962)
- Willis J. Walker (1873–1943)
- Archie D. Walker (1882–1971)
- Clinton L. Walker (1875–1944) married Della Brooks
- Brooks Walker (1902–1984)
- Harriet E. Walker Henderson (1904–2007)
- Alma Virginia Walker Hearst McKeever (1908–1971)
- T. B. Walker (1840–1928) married Harriet Granger Hulet (1841–1917)
Current Walker Family Members
Brooks Walker Jr.
Brooks Walker Jr. used to be the Chairman of the Board of USL Capital Corporation. He was also a Director at the Schwab Charitable Fund and served in the Korean War. He has been on the boards of many private and public organizations. These include the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, where he helped oversee the building of the new SFMOMA. He also served on the boards of the Walker Art Center and Gap Co.
Ann M. Hatch
Ann M. Hatch is T. B. Walker’s great-granddaughter. She is from San Francisco and has given a lot to help the community, arts, and education. She is currently a trustee and former board chair of the California College of the Arts (CCA) in San Francisco. Ann also helped start the Oxbow School in 1997, which is a high school for the arts in Napa, California. She also co-founded the Capp Street Project, a well-known artist residency program.
Ann has received many awards, including honorary doctorates. In 1991, the mayor of San Francisco, Art Agnos, even declared January 31 "Ann Hatch Day" to recognize her amazing work for the community.
Kirby Walker
Kirby Walker is a filmmaker who makes documentaries and educational videos. She cares a lot about public lands, the environment, and helping young people who are struggling. She has been a Trustee for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) since 1983. She also helps advise the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.
Jennifer Walker
Jennifer Walker is a 7th generation Californian. She plans and designs events. For the past 12 years, she has volunteered her services to help non-profit organizations with their yearly fundraising events. Jennifer is also an artist who works with ceramics. She is currently on the board of the Oakland Museum of California.
