[1][2] Walker was born in 1812 in Locke, Cayuga County, New York.

He came to Flint, Michigan in 1836 and began working in as a clerk in Beach & Wesson dry goods store.

From 1838 to 1842, Walker operated a mercantile business on the north side of the Flint River.

He building and ran a store at the corner of Kearsley and Saginaw streets from 1842 to 1858.

[3] He was elected as mayor of the City of Flint in 1870 serving a single 1-year term.