End of a
Long Life
Dr. N. O, Walker, who contested
South Norfolk for the House of Commons
forty-seven years ago,
passes away aged 82.
On Wednesday, Nov. 25 Dr.
Nathaniel Osborne Walker died in Woodhouse at the home of his son-in-law,
Mr. Joseph Smyth. He was born on the same farm in 1832 and it is said that
his paternal grandfather who was of sturdy Irish stock carried a bag of
wheat from the same place on his back and on foot to Hamilton to mill when
the only road was a blazed trail through the forest.
The annals of Upper Canada College
show the names of many boys, pupils of that institution who have earned
distinction in political, commercial, professional and military life. The
Principal of Upper Canada College in referring to Dr. Walker's death says:
"He was one of our most distinguished head boys and his loyalty to
his old school was always a marked feature of his character. He was
present on Prize Day three years ago and made a long and interesting
speech."
In 1889, Principal Dickson said:
"N. O. Walker entered Upper Canada College in the second form in 1847
and passed through the various forms to the completion of the studies
prescribed for the seventh form (a form in which Universalty Undergradate
work was taken up). In the session 1849-1850 he was in form five, and won
the Exhibition Scholarship, valued at thirty pounds and free tution, good
for three years.
"In 1850-51, was in sixth
form and head of form. In 1851-52, was in seventh form, and won the
highest mathematical prize and the Govenor-General's prize, which carried
with it the position of "Head Boy" for the year 1852.
"On entering the University
of Toronto, he won in competition with the best scholars from the schools
of the Province, the First Mathematical Scholarship and the Second
Classical Scholarship. In adition [sic] he won in the University of
Toronto, two gold medials, for proficiency in Natural Science."
The University records show that
he was graduated B.A. in 1855, M.A. in 1859, M.B. in 1857 and M.D. in
1859.
Dr. Walker subsequently studied in
England and became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons.
After completing his medical
studies the doctor located in Vittoria and removed to Port Dover two years
later. Here he continued to live and practise his profession with a short
intermission until thirteen years ago when he removed to Los Angeles,
Cal., where he took up medical practice for about three years, after which
he gave up active work on account of failing health.
He continuted to live with his son
in California until three years ago when he expressed an desire to return
to his old home and "see the snowflakes once more." He spent the
remiainder of his days alternately with his daughters, Mrs. Tyrrell of
Toronto, and Mrs. Smyth of Woodhouse, the summers on the the beautiful old
farm, one of the most picturesque in Norfolk, and the winters beside the
schools he loved so well.
In 1867, just after Confederation,
Dr. Walker ran in the Conservative interest for the House of Commons, his
opponent, Peter Lawson, being elected.
In 1885 he removed to Toronto for
a few months and on the outbreak of the Rebellion in the Northwest he was
sent by the Military authorities to the scene of hostilities where he had
charge of a base hospital. After the rebellion he returned to Port Dover.
When in his prime Dr. Walker was
considered to be one of the most eloquent public speakers in this part of
the country. A photograph of him taken in early middle life would pass for
Charles Dickens.
He was married to Mary Cross Burr
of Toronto, in the Church of the Holy Trinity by the Rector, Rev. Dr.
Scadding, who had been the first "Head Boy" of Upper Canada.
Mrs. Walker died nineteen years ago.
There were four sons and four
daughters. One daughter, Mrs. Bethune, died sixteen years ago. The
surviving children are:
Mrs. Tyrrell, the wife of Dr. R.
S. Tyrrell of Rusholme Road, Toronto; Mrs. Jos. Smyth of Woodhouse, Mrs.
Henry Walker of Enderby, B.C., Fred of Los Angeles, George of Idaho,
Philip of Edmonton, and Paul of Peterborough.
