My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM COMLY WALKER, the courteous and obliging manager of the Jenkintown Telephone Exchange, and justice of the peace, is a native of Worcester township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. He was born November 20, 1855. He is the son of William and Ellenor, (Wright) Walker, both natives of Montgomery county. His father was born January 15, 1815, and died September 5, 1856; his mother was born January 21, 1817, and died December 13, 1885.

William Walker, father, was a tailor by occupation. He died when the son was an infant. Their children were: Mary A., widow of John Zimmerman, of Norristown; John, deceased; Harriet, deceased; Emma, wife of Henry Cunningham, of Philadelphia, and two who died in infancy.

William Comly Walker was educated in the public schools of his native township, beginning life as a farm hand. He subsequently learned the trade of a blacksmith. After completing his apprenticeship he was offered a position in the Shaw mill at Trooper. He remained there for some time, and later entered the Wyoming Mill of William Simpson & Company, at the foot of Swede street, Norristown. He next took charge of a set of looms in the mill of J. & S. Lees, at Conshohocken, where he remained for several years, and then became foreman of the weaving department, and subsequently superintendent of the mill. He then returned to Norristown and took a position with Henry S. Scatchard, at his woolen mill, remaining with him about eighteen months. During his residence of several years in Norristown Mr. Walker took a very active part in politics, being known as a good worker at the polls.

In 1900 Mr. Walker went to Jenkintowm, where he engaged in the grocery business, and in 1903 secured his present position of telephone manager. In 1903 his friends secured him the appointment of justice of the peace by the governor to fill a vacancy which had occurred, and in 1904, at the February election, he was given the nomination on the Republican ticket, and was elected without opposition. In February, 1901, Mr. Walker was elected a member of the borough council of Jenkintown, serving very acceptably in that position. In 1888 he became a member of the Conshohocken school board, a position which he filled satisfactorily for several years. Mr. Walker is a member of Norristown Lodge No. 620, Free and Accepted Masons, being one of those who belonged to the organization at the time its charter was obtained.

Mr. Walker married, in Lower Providence, Martha Gardner, born October 31, 1855, daughter of Charles and Mary Gardner. They have had four children, as follows: Lillian M., born May 21, 1879; Laura E., born December 4, 1882, died September 17, 1884; Ralph C., born September 24, 1887; and Stanley L., born February 23, 1894.

Mr. Walker has been a successful man in all his undertakings. In politics he has been remarkably so, his popularity being such that a nomination has always been equivalent to an election. He has earnestly supported the candidates and principles of the Republican party from the time he cast his first vote. He is social and genial in disposition, and has the faculty of making friends in every situation in which he has been placed.