(From HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, 1883, Page 629)

B. K. Walker was born in 1833, in York county, State of Maine. He was raised on a farm until he attained the age of sixteen. He received his early educa­tion at the district schools, and began a course at Waterville College, having ma­triculated in 1854. Failing health cut short his collegiate career, having only completed about two years, when he was compelled to desist and seek new quarters. He started west in 1857 and after a short stay at Osage, Mitchell county, located at Bristol. He took an active part in the organization of the county, and was elected to the office of clerk of the district court, then a most important office. He has since held many offices and positions of trust in the county. He removed to Northwood in 1870, on his re-election to the office of auditor, where he still resides, being en­gaged in the real estate business in connec­tion with his brother, Hon. A. C. Walker. Mr. Walker was married in August, 1859, at Sanford, Maine, to Abbie Merrill, a lady endowed with grace and amiability, that would do honor to the highest sphere of life. No man in Worth county is vested with more confidence and esteem by his fellow man than Mr. Walker. He is more noted for his sterling, than for the showy quali­ties, however, and uniting as he does, in one person, the calm decision and equa­ble temperament of the German race, with the warm-hearted generosity and gentlemanly deportment of the Gaul, it is no wonder that he is appreciated by an admiring circle of friends, that extend throughout the whole county.

Transcribed by Gordon Felland, Feb. 5, 2006