Biography of
Lindorf Walker

p. 1102

        LINDORF WALKER.. The gentleman whose name forms the caption of this article is one of Cobden's progressive and highly esteemed young citizens. Lindorf Walker, cashier of the First National Bank, is a banker of honorable and unassailable methods, and in his residence in this place he P. 1103 has won the unbounded confidence of his fellow citizens. He is a native son of Illinois, his birth having occurred, September 29, 1881, on a farm in Johnson county. His father, William P. Walker, is now living on his farm in Johnson county, and that section of the great state of Illinois is the scene of his birth and lifelong residence. He is a son of Robert J. Walker, a native of North Carolina, who first migrated to Tennessee and thence to Southern Illinois. He was one of the dauntless company of pioneers who paved the way for latter day prosperity and civilization. The maiden name of the subject's mother was Sarah E. Gillespie, and she was born in Tennessee, the daughter of John H. Gillespie, who came to Johnson county with her parents when five years of age. This worthy lady was born in 1848 and was summoned to the life eternal in June, 1911, when her years numbered sixty-three. Mr. Walker was the second of a family of three children to grow to maturity, the others being Dr. H. W. Walker and Lizzie Naomi (Hand). William P. Walker has made a great success of the great basic industry of agriculture and enjoys the esteem of his particular community.

     Lindorf Walker was educated in the public schools of Johnson county and at an early age, feeling inclined toward a business career, he took an appropriate preparatory course in the Gem City Business College, from which well-conducted institution he was graduated in 1900. His first experience as an actual factor in the world of affairs was in the capacity of bookkeeper for a mercantile firm in Saxton, Missouri. He first entered upon his connection with the banking world when he took the place of the cashier of the Drovers State Bank at Vienna, the incumbent of the office suffering from ill health. In the spring of 1901 he was employed in the county clerk's office and at the conclusion of these services he spent a few weeks on his father's farm and then wishing like most alert young men to see something of the world he started out in June, 1901, and journeyed to Oklahoma and Texas. He then remained in the Indian Territory for a year and returned to Illinois in 1902, entering the mercantile business at Ganntown and remaining thus engaged for a year. He worked for his brother, the Doctor, for a few months and then came to Cobden, in September, 1903, remaining here for a year and a half. During the sojourn he was employed in the First National Bank. He later returned to Vienna and acted as bookkeeper of the First National Bank of that place until May 1, 1907. At the date mentioned he returned to Cobden to accept the position of cashier with the First National Bank. This thriving and well managed monetary institution is incorporated with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars, while its total resources amount to two hundred and thirty thousand dollars. Its officers are as follows: President, William C. Rich; vice-president, I. H. Lawrence; and cashier, Lindorf Walker. The directorate consists of the three given above with the addition of H. A. Dubois and H. H. Lamar. No small part of the bank's prosperity is directly traceable to the intelligent methods of its cashier.

     Fraternally Mr. Walker is one of the most enthusiastic of Masons, and exemplifies in his own living the principles of moral and social justice and brotherly love for which the order stands. He belongs to the Blue Lodge of Cobden; the Chapter of Vienna; and the Eastern Star; and he is also affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Pythian Sisters of Vienna.

     Mr. Walker established a pleasant home and congenial life companionship by his union, in November, 1905, to Pearl Debnam, of Johnson county, daughter of William C. and Lizzie (Dunn) Debnam. They share their pleasant home with one son, Willard, aged three years.