Walker played a pivotal role in the upbringing of his nephew, taking in Call's widowed mother (Walker's sister) and her children after the death of Call's father.
Born in Brunswick County, Virginia, Walker attended public and private schools.
He served in the Revolutionary War as a private under General Lafayette and was at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown.
He served as member of the State house of representatives from 1793 to 1796, and an unsuccessful candidate for Congress in the 1st congressional district in 1803[1] and 1806.
[2] He served as major on the staff of Governor Isaac Shelby of Kentucky in the Battle of the Thames during the War of 1812.