Fayetteville in Washington County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

David Walker

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 20, 2023

1. David Walker Marker, Side One

Inscription. David Walker was born Feb. 19, 1806, near Elkton, Ky. He moved to Arkansas in 1830, earning his law license and settling in Fayetteville. Walker was elected circuit prosecutor in 1832, then to the Arkansas territorial legislature in 1835. He helped write the state's first constitution the next year. From 1848 to 1855, Walker was associate Justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court. A Whig politically, Walker became wealthy as he acquired land and slaves. He backed the Constitutional Union Party's John Bell for president in the 1860 election.

After Abraham Lincoln's election in 1860, David Walker opposed calling a secession convention, but was elected delegate and then president of the group. On May 6, 1861, when they voted to leave the Union, Walker urged five opponents to change their votes to show a united front: four did so. He served as a Confederate military judge during the war. He received a pardon from Pres. Andrew Johnson and in 1866 was elected Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court. He remained active in Arkansas politics for the rest of his life and died Sept. 30, 1879.

Erected 2013 by Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission • General Patrick R. Cleburne. Arkansas Society. Military Order of the Stars and Bars • Captain James Tyrie White Chapter

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No. 8, Military Order of the Stars and Bars • United Sons of Confederate Soldiers Association • Order of the Southern Cross, Southern Memorial Association of Washington County • Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council. (Marker Number 58.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 6, 1861.

Location. 36° 3.665′ N, 94° 9.107′ W. Marker is in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in Washington County. Marker can be reached from East Rock Street west of Walker Road, on the right when traveling west. Marker is in the Walker Family Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 514 E Rock St, Fayetteville AR 72701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Walker Family Plot (a few steps from this marker); Fayetteville Confederate Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Founding Ladies of the Southern Memorial Association (within shouting distance of this marker); Archibald Yell (approx. 0.3 miles away); Butterfield Stage Route (approx. 0.4 miles away); Guisinger Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Arkansas College (approx. 0.4

David Walker Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 20, 2023

2. David Walker Marker, Side Two

miles away); First Confederate Company Organized in Washington County (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fayetteville.

Also see . . . David Walker (1806-1879). His Whig politics put him in competition with his father’s legal business by taking away his clients, and that, together with a failed romance, prompted his 1830 move to Arkansas. (Michael B. Dougan, Encyclopedia of Arkansas) (Submitted on May 23, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

David Walker Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 20, 2023

3. David Walker Marker

The tall obelisk toward the rear of the cemetery is David Walker's gravesite.

David Walker (1806-1879) image. Click for full size.

Shiloh Museum of Ozark History/Washington County Historical Society (P-2275) (Public Domain)

4. David Walker (1806-1879)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 86 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 23, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.