Thomas Walker, city
assessor of Edmonton, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, on the 8th of
February, 1881. The family home was at Newmilns and the public schools
of the town afforded him his educational privileges. He started out to
provide for his own support by working in the lace factory for a few
years and later was employed in a clerical position in the Glenfield
Engineering Works at Kilmarnock. He continued a resident of the land of
hills and heather until 1905, when he came to the new world and made his
way to Edmonton. In 1906 he entered the employ of the city government in
the office of the secretary and treasurer. In the same year the office
of assessor was established and he was appointed assistant in that
connection. In 1912 he was advanced to the position of assessor and tax
collector and through the intervening years has continuously served in
this dual capacity, having now been incumbent in the office for eleven
years. This is certainly indicative of the prompt, systematic and
faithful manner in which he discharges his duties and all all who know
aught of his official service speak of his work in terms of high regard.
Mr. Walker was married to
Miss Margaret Shanks, also a native of Ayrshire, Scotland, and they have
become the parents of three children: Margaret, Thomas and Mary. Mr.
Walker belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the
Scottish Rite degrees. He is also a consistent and faithful member of
the Knox Presbyterian church, in which he is an elder, and vice
president of the Brotherhood Society of that organization. A laudable
ambition brought him to the new world and here he has improved and
utilized his opportunities, finding the chances for advancement which he
sought. |