David Davis Walker (January 19, 1840 – October 4, 1918) was an American businessman. He started his career as a dry goods wholesaler in St. Louis, Missouri. He was the co-founder of Ely & Walker, which remains a clothing brand to this day.
Early life
David Davis Walker was born on January 19, 1840, on a farm near Bloomington, Illinois, to George E. Walker (1797–1864) and Harriet Mercer (1802–1869). His paternal grandfather, Thomas Walker, was an English slave trader.[1] Walker was a first cousin of Senator and Supreme Court Justice David Davis.
At age fourteen, he was sent to the Beloit Preparatory Academy, part of Beloit College in Wisconsin.[2]
Business career
In 1857, Walker went to St. Louis for business training with the merchandiser Crow, McCreery & Co., then the largest wholesale dry goods house in the city. He worked his way up from office boy, and became a partner after just eight years with the firm. He became ill as a result of his workaholic habits, quitting in 1878, and spent the next two years recovering.
In 1880, he went back to work, forming Ely, Walker & Co. with Frank Ely and others. The business was highly successful, and in 1883 it was incorporated as the Ely & Walker Dry Goods Company. He remained President of the company until 1892, and thereafter retained the largest interest in the firm. In 1896, the company built a massive warehouse on Washington Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri, which became known as Ely Walker Lofts.[3] His sons David Davis, Jr., Joseph Sidney and George Herbert all had involvement with the Ely & Walker firm, which continued as a major clothing manufacturer until it was acquired by Burlington Industries after World War II, but George went into banking.
Personal life
Walker married Martha Adela Beaky. They had 6 children including George Herbert Walker.
Death and legacy
Walker died in 1918 at Walker's Point, his son George's seaside property in Kennebunkport, Maine, the modern-day Bush compound. His great-grandson, George H. W. Bush, and his great-great-grandson, George W. Bush, both served as President of the United States.
References
- ^ "George W. Bush's Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandfather Was a Slave Trader". Slate. 2013-06-19.
- ^ "President Bush's Roots Extend to Beloit". Beloit College Magazine. Spring 2001. Archived from the original on 2006-09-15. Retrieved 2006-11-11.
- ^ Nini Harris (2018). This Used to Be St. Louis. St. Louis, MO: Reedy Press, LLC. p. 30. 9781681061139.
External links
- David Davis Walker at Find a Grave
- Ely & Walker Dry Goods Company building, now lofts and a gym
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