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Leonidas R. Walker, engineer on the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad, with headquarters at De Soto, was born in Valle Township, Jefferson County, December 6, 1844. His father was William Walker, a native of Tennessee, and one of the pioneers of Jefferson County, Mo.; he married Elizabeth Null, and of the nine children born to them, six are living: Ellen, now Mrs. Goff; Zoe, William H., James N. Caroline, now Mrs. Stewart, and Leonidas R. One son, Franklin, went to California
when a youth, where he died. When Leonidas R. Walker was small he was
taken by his parents to Arcadia, Mo. He received a common school
education, and in 1866 was employed as a brakeman on the railroad,
being promoted to the position of engineer in 1870; he has had charge
of his present engine, No. 426, for the past two years. May 9, 1871,
he married Carrie Hamilton, daughter of George Hamilton (deceased).
Mrs. Walker was born in St. Francois County, Mo. One child has been
born to Mr. Walker and wife, named William L. Mr. Walker is a member
of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, a Select Knight of the
A. O. U. W., and a member of the Masonic Fraternity.