Samuel A. T. Walker Diaries

Collection

Identifier: MS-106

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection of 29 diary volumes covers scattered years of Samuel A. T. Walker's life between 1878-1932, when he wrote one brief entry nearly every day. The entries are generally 2-3 sentences long. They describe Walker's daily life working in Forest Grove as a shoemaker, notable events, and visits to friends and family.

The diaries from 1881-1883 are especially notable for their information about the daily workings of the Forest Grove Indian Training School, where he taught the male students the shoemaking trade. Some examples on his entries on this topic include:

Feb. 6, 1883: "I staid at home all day I had the sore throat. The Indian boys came by and got the key to the shop and went to work in the shoeshop."

Mar. 9, 1883: "The Indian boy that was sick so long died last night (Hugh Victor)."

Mar. 15, 1883: "Old Man Heaton quarantined the I.T. School in the evening til Dr. Minthorn gets back from Puyallup."

Diaries are present for the years: 1878, 1881-1884, 1889, 1900-1903, 1906-1920, 1926, 1929-1932

Dates

Creation: 1878-1931

Biographical Note

Samuel Ammon Thurston Walker was born seven miles north of Forest Grove, Oregon on January 2, 1853. A shoemaker by trade, he worked at the Forest Grove Indian Training School as an instructor in the 1880s. He later worked at the school's new location near Salem, when it was renamed Chemawa School. Walker also played the violin and was often hired for lessons or to provide music at events. He served one term as a Republican city councilman in Forest Grove, and was active in the I.O.O.F. for many years.

Walker married his cousin Minerva Jane Knighten (whom he called "Bess") in 1877. The had three children: Charles Lovel and the twins Raleigh Clay and Pearl May. Three years after Minerva passed away in 1900, he married his second wife, Luella F. Fowler.

Please note that Samuel A. T. Walker is not related to the more famous Walker Family of Forest Grove. The similarly named "Samuel T. Walker" was born in Forest Grove in 1852, the son of Mary and Elkanah Walker. Samuel A. T. Walker was also known by his nickname, "Saturday Sam," perhaps to differentiate himself from the other man.

Extent

1 Cubic Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Description rules: Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description: Undetermined
Script of description: Code for undetermined script
Language of description note: Finding aid written in English.
Sponsor: Sponsored by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission