South Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Dr. Joseph Edison Walker

1880-1958

Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 8, 2018

1. Dr. Joseph Edison Walker Marker

Inscription. In 1923, Dr. J.E. Walker co-founded and was the first president of Universal Life Insurance Company, established in Memphis. A physician by training, he helped organize the old Memphis Negro Chamber of Commerce in 1926. Walker served as president of the National Negro Business League, founded by Booker T. Washington, and the National Insurance Association. A founder and first president of the Memphis Urban League, he co-founded and was the first president of Tri-State Bank in 1946. Dr. Walker received national recognition from Jet and Ebony magazines and from President Truman.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4E 143.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #33 Harry S. Truman, and the Tennessee Historical Commission series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.

Location. 35° 7′ N, 90° 2.253′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in South Memphis. Marker is at the intersection of Mississippi Boulevard and Edith Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Mississippi Boulevard. Touch for map.

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Marker is at or near this postal address: Mississippi Boulevard, Memphis TN 38126, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Robert Karriem (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The University of West Tennessee (about 600 feet away); The 1960 Memphis Sit-In Movement (approx. 0.2 miles away); People's Grocery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Edward Shaw (approx. 0.2 miles away); Second Congregational Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Benjamin Albert Imes (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hollis Freeman Price, Sr. (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on Joseph Edison Walker. (Submitted on April 14, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

View of marker at Soulsville USA office. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 8, 2018

2. View of marker at Soulsville USA office.

View of marker looking south on Mississippi Boulevard. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 8, 2018

3. View of marker looking south on Mississippi Boulevard.

Dr. Joseph Edison Walker House Community Use image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Steve Masler, August 27, 2018

4. Dr. Joseph Edison Walker House Community Use

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 511 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 14, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 4. submitted on August 27, 2018, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee.