| Notes |
- Isaac Walker was born on 5 Mar 1845 in Perth, WA. He died on 14 Sep 1900 in Mt Magnet WA.
Isaac Walker was the first and only child born to Ann and Thomas Walker. Born at Perth on March 5th.1845 [RG0523/1845]
He was born into a huge family emanating from his parents' earlier marriages. Isaac's mother had eight and his father five children from their earlier marriages.
The family lived in Murray Street, Perth and Isaac grew up in a very happy family atmosphere and was obviously given access to a very good education and became a very successful businessman in his time.
The following information comes from the WA Biographical Index Walker, Isaac, Accountant, Geraldton.
Bought Town lot 1867
Secretary, Working Men's Association, 1870
Board of Education 1874
Proprietor of the "Victoria Express" in the 1880's with Stephen Montague Stout and later with Hart. Designed the Dongara Wesley Church built in 1884 by W. H. Linthorne
Wife and child to London on 11th.Nov.1885 per "Shannon"
Arrived 4th.May 1886 per "Kaiser I Hind" from overseas.
Geraldton Councillor 1883 - 1885 and 1886 - 1888
Geraldton Town Clerk 1888
Isaac Walker launched the Geraldton newspaper, the "Victoria Express" with S. M. Stout.
The partnership was terminated before one year had passed because of a dispute over money collected from subscribers, which was taken to the Courts for resolution. Stout left the company and Walker carried on.
An excerpt from "The Brand on his Coat" by Rica Ericksan, gives more detail on this partnership. "page 284 - An accountant and merchant named Isaac Walker, who was also a member of the Board of Education, wished to launch a newspaper called the "Victoria Express". Stout agreed to be the editor for at least a year. The venture was advertised in the Almanac as S. M. Stout and Company. For a fee of ten percent Stout agreed to collect annual dues of five shillings from each of the Geraldton subscribers. Walker countersigned the receipts when he received the money. Stout was allowed petty cash. For reasons no unknown Walker dismissed Stout before the year's contract had expired. Stout threatened legal proceedings and Walker in counter attack got in the first blow by sueing Stout for embezzlement, claiming that he had not handed over ten shillings due from subscribers. One of these subscribers was the Lawyer engaged by Stout. Under cross examination, Walker agreed that he some times made mistakes in his book keeping. Since he had countersigned the receipts the Judge ruled that there was no case to answer."
Isaac Walker was involved in design and construction of buildings in the surrounding districts. We perceive that his involvement was due to his position as an Accountant.
Excerpt from "Ancient Landmarks" by Sister Mary Albertus Bain -
"Isaac Walker submitted the Plans and Specifications for the construction of the Dongara Methodist Wesley Church to be built on a block donated by W. FI. Linthorne. The contract was awarded to W. H. Linthorne and cost Three Hundred and Fourteen Pounds, Four Shillings and Seven Pence.
The Church was opened on 14th.December 1884."
Excerpt from "Eastward Ho" by Bert Keefe -
"page 40 - Mullewa was established by the erection of a warehouse to accommodate bales of wool in transit to the port. - Tenders will be received until March 11 th. at noon for the erection of a Woolshed at Mullewa. Plans and Specifications can be seen and every info. obtained on application to Mr I Walker, Geraldton, 4th.Feb.1885 [Govt. Gazette 31st Aug. 1887j"
Isaac Walker and his father-in-law, William Garrard, owned property on the Geraldton waterfront on the land that was resumed to construct the existing wheat silos as indicated by the following -
Excerpt from "A Life of it's Own" by Sister Mary Albertus Bain -
'page 193-4 - In August 1953 it was decided that storage silos for wheat would be erected - Unfortunately this necessitated the demolition of nine houses - the manager of Elder Smith's, Isaac Walker who was an Accountant and Cyril Cavanagh had large houses with garages and lovely gardens - As well there were lots that had been vested in the Municipallity - The total value of these houses and three vacant lots - one originally belonging to William Garrard, the settlements first boat¬builder, was 39,540 Pounds but the money did not interest the majority of the householders - despite the general outcry the plans went ahead and the silos and other facilities were erected."
Isaac Walker also had interest in property in the City of Perth.
Extract from Consolidated Index 1836-1900, 1882 Govt. Gazette - page 307 -
details Isaac Walkers acquisition of land in central Perth in 1882 and Titles Transfer of Land 79182 "Take notice that Isaac Walker of the Town of Geraldton, Merchant, has made application to be registered as the proprietor of an estate in fee simple in possession of the following parcel of land situate in City of Perth. Perth building lot V6. Bounded on the South-west 75 links of Murray Street, on the North-East by 75 links Wellington Street, on the South-East by building lot V7 each measuring five chains and sixty links and containing one rood and twenty-seven perches August 29th. 1882."
The area surrounding this lot was the subject in discussion some time later in the local newspapers. One of the parties involved in this discussion was Cyril Phillips Bryan under the pseudonym, Cygnus. Cyril Bryan was Isaac Walker's mother's [Ann Walker] Great- Grandson and in turn Isaac Walker is the granduncle to Cyril Bryan.
The following comment was published -
WALKERS COTTAGES - Dear Cygnet - A reference some time ago by Mr. Grundy to the vine trellis, which he says flourished on your great grandmother's property in Murray-Wellington Streets in the distant past has got me thinking. The Australia Hotel stands an what was the Western boundary of Solomon Cook's property at the rear of which there were lots of vines. To the East of Cook's was a vacant block, vacant that is except for a small two bedroomed brick cottage facing Murray Street, occupied for years by old Bob West. a crippled Veterinary Surgeon with whom George Towton spent so much time as a boy and thereby gained so much horse knowledge. No vines were on this block, but on the one east again was what was known as Walkers Cottages. There were trellis's on vines at the back of these. East of these lived the well known builder of old times, William Buggins, whose daughters married George Randell, Tom Bryan, Alf Etsegood and Jesse Golding. But there were no grapevines there. 1n Walkers Cottages I remember old Mrs.Simpson living and also Mrs.Trayon.
It seems highly probable to me that the land that Isaac Walker was seeking to acquire was the block referred to as Walkers Cottages, on which his mother lived when married to Thomas Walker. William Buggin's wife Annie, was Isaac Walker's sister.
He possibly inherited or acquired ownership of the tot from his father before he passed away and was seeking a change in the Title details.
Isaac Walker passed away at Mt. Magnet, WA. on 14th.Sept.1900 [RG0139011900]
The following notice was published in the local newspaper - "Mt. Magnet Miner" - September 22nd. 1900
"Death of Mr. Isaac Walker, Accountant, Friday 14th.September 1900
He was a native of the colony and received his education in company with men of mark in W.A. Remains were sent by Monday's train to Geraldton for interment."He lived at Geraldton in 1865.
He was an accountant in 1867.
He was the owner of the first newspaper in Geraldton, probably the "Victoria Express" 1880's with Stephen Montague Stout, then with Hart.
He lived either 1867 or 1877 at Champion Bay WA. He lived at Mount Magnet WA.
He was secretary of the Working Mens Association after 1870.
He was on the Board of Education after 1874.
He designed the Dongara Wesley Church, which was built in 1884 by W H Linthorne.
He sailed to London on the "Shannon" on 11 November 1885.
His wife and child to London 11 November 1885 per Shannon arrived from overseas on the "Kaiser I Hind" 4 May 1886.
He applied for a transfer of land on August 29, 1882 known as building lot V6, an area between Murray and William Street Perth WA, which seems most likely to have been in the vicinity of the old Boans store. As Walker cottages were in that area last century it is presumed that they also belonged to him.
Born on 6/5/1844. Was William Watson's son and took the name of Walker.
Isaac Walker - "Newspaper Man"
1844, May 6 Born in Perth, WA.
1900, Sep 14 Died in Mt Magnet, WA.
Arriving in Geraldton in its early days, sometime during the late 1850s, Isaac Walker found a position as clerk to George Shenton. His commercial aptitude was apparently evident from early on, developing further after Shenton sold out to Charles Crowther. In time, Isaac became the manager of the enterprise. One newspaper claimed that Crowther, and therefore indirectly Walker, 'largely controlled the shipping, mining, farming and squatting interests north of Perth'. After Crowther retired Walker bought up the business in partnership with Edward Shenton. They later sold out to Manning & Co, and Isaac remained as business manager.
In 1865 he married local girl Emma Garratt in Geraldton. Although two of his sons remained in the district, most of the others eventually moved to Fremantle. He was also a great man for community involvement, helping to found the Oddfellows Lodge and the Mechanics' Institute, in Geraldton. He was secretary of the Working Men's Association from 1870, member of the local Board of Education in 1874, sat on the Geraldton Municipal Council over several years, and filled the position of Town Clerk. His ability with the art of calligraphy was well known throughout Geraldton. He also designed the Wesleyan Church at Dongara.
Isaac Walker started Geraldton's first newspaper, the Victorian Express, in partnership with Stephen Scott, the first editor. The first issue was published on 3 September 1878, and with it, aspects of the area's history began to be recorded for posterity. Scott subsequently sold out to Hart, and Walker himself to a business syndicate. By the early 1890s Walker, after a failed attempt at other business in Geraldton, moved to Mt Magnet to commence business as an accountant. Once again he became involved in community life, only to die of a heart attack after chopping firewood. He had made provision for his remains to be brought back and interred locally, a Geraldtonian to the end.
References and further reading:
BATTYE J. (1912). The Cyclopedia of WA. Cyclopedia Co. ERICKSON, R (1988). WA Dictionary of Biography. UWA Press.
The Express and Murchison and Yalgo goldfields chronicler, 21 September 1900. The Express and Murchison and Yalgo goldfields chronicler, 28 September 1900.
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1845 - 1900 (55 years)
[4, 5, 6]