WALKER, OFFUTT, BRAINARD

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Sunday, March 23, 2008 at 05:58:57 :

Marin Journal
Thursday, November 30, 1905
Page 2

Was One of the First Settlers in California
The Death of a Highly Respected and Esteemed Nonagenerian Who Was One of the Connecting Links Between the Present and Old Days

L.W. WALKER passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Charles Offutt, 544 Main Street, on Saturday morning at 12:30 and the news of the death of the staunch old pioneer will be received with deep regret, even though it had been expected for several days. He was one of the patriarchs of this vicinity, and commanded the esteem of the entire community. Death was due to a general breaking down incident to age.

L. W. Walker was born in Dirita, NY, in 1813. At the age of 25 years, with his brothers Paul and Damon, he embarked in the lumber business, the brothers building their own sawmill. In 1852, he with many others, took the California fever, sold out his interests, including mills, ships, etc., to his brothers, and that year started for California.

Just before his departure, he married Miss Jennie Brainard of Syrause, NY. W.N. Brainard, a brother of Mrs. Walker, accompanied them across the plains. There were 30 people in the party. They started out with 180 head of cattle, furnished by Messrs. Walker and Brainard, and they made the trip across in 6 months and 9 days, arriving in Sacramento June 2, 1853.

In the middle of July, they came to Tomales and bought what was then known as the Malone tract containing about 1,000 acres, and there he embarked in the cheese business. The creek, which ran through the ranch and the long bridge which crosses it, are still known as the Walker Creek and Bridge.

In 1855 Mr. Walker sold his Tomales Ranch on account of the poor health of his wife, and moved to Chileno Valley west of this city in Marin County. There he bought from P.B. Hewlett 2,500 acres on which he founded the now famous Walker Ranch, one of the best known ranches in Marin County, and one of the finest. In 1864 he sold to the late Charles Martin a tract containing 900 acres, and a few years later sold to John Murphy 520 acres. Mr. Walker lived on the Chileno Valley Ranch for 48 years, and then on May 5, 1898, his wife passed away, at the ripe old age of 75 years.

Two years ago, Mr. Walker sold his famous ranch to William Meissner of this city who at that time arrived here from the east. Mr. Walker has since then made his home with his daughter, Mrs. OFFUTT, who has done all in her power to make the declining days of her aged parent happy. His every wish was anticipated by the entire family, and he was content and satisfied, and his last days were days of peace and comfort.

Mr. Walker was big hearted and charitable and possessed sterling business integrity. He never forgave a wrong or forgot a kindness. Nobody was ever turned away from his door hungry or penniless, and he was a man who commanded respect and esteem of all. He was always one of the leading figures at the old district fairs, and was a pioneer in fine stockbreeding. He loved fine horses and nobody in the country drove better animals. He was one of the pioneers in the dairy business in Marin County and was a member of the first Grange organized in California, and a master of the first local grange and attended the first state grange. He was one of the oldest surviving settlers in California, and was aged 91 years and 6 months.