Portland, Oregon, its history and builders
Pg.1999-2001
PROFESSOR ISAAC M. WALKER
In a history of educational development in the northwest attention is called to marvelous strides made by the Behnke-Walker Business College of Portland, which within an almost incredibly short space of time as built up an institution second to none in the character of and thoroughness of its instruction no its attendance. Such an institution is proof that its promoters and its president, I. M. Walker, thoroughly know the practical as well as the theoretical side of business life. Their own institution is a monument to their ability and the success of their graduated students is proof of the excellence of their methods of teaching.
Mr. Walker was born in Hall, Pennsylvania, February 11, 1861, a son of Lewis P. and Barbara L. Walker, the former born in Hall, April 25, 1834, the latter in York Springs, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1840. The Walker family is of Welsh descent and of Quaker faith, nearly all of the descendants adhering to that religious belief. The mother was Pennsylvania Dutch, her ancestors coming from Holland. They were members of the German Reformed church and left Holland on account of religious persecution. Lewis P. Walker remained a resident of the Keystone state until the spring of 1877, when he removed with his entire family to Abilene, Kansas, thinking that he might have better opportunities in the middle west. Later he disposed of most of his holdings in Kansas, including two beautiful farms, and went to Arnett, Oklahoma, where he and his wife are still residing. They also own two farms near that city and also city realty.
Mr. Walker began his education in the public schools of his native town and continued his studies in the high school of Abilene, Kansas, where he worked for his room and Board during a nine months’ session. He had only two dollars and a half for spending money during that period. After finishing the high school course he taught in the public schools of that vicinity, spending the summer vacations as a student in the State Normal at Emporia, Kansas, his labor partially meeting the expenses of his board and tuition. For several years he taught in the schools of Dickinson, Butler county, Kansas, and while thus engaged conceived the idea of thoroughly preparing for business college work. For two years he remained in Burns county, Kansas, upon his father’s ranch, comprising six hundred and forty acres of land, and then selling out everything entered the Gem City Business College, at Quincy, Illinois, where he remained for a year and a half, studying all that time, during which completed the business and penmanship courses. Having exhausted his means he began work for the Quincy Casket Company as bookkeeper and billing clerk, holding the position for two years, when, wishing to broaden himself in business ideas he resigned his position and entered the employ of a bank, with which he remained for a year. At the expiration of that period he accepted a position in the Mount Morris (Ill.) College, as principal of the business department and teacher of mathematics, remaining with that institution for three years, when he resigned to accept the presidency of the Hayward College of Fairfield, Illinois, where he remained for three years. He was chosen for the following year and was also elected to the positon of principal and superintendent of city schools, but resigned both position to accept the principalship of the business department of Albany College, Albany, Oregon. He had long desired to come to the Pacific coast and the work being in line for the establishment of a business college, which was the ambition that he was cherishing, he made his way to this state and spent five years at Albany College. He then resigned, thinking the time opportune for starting in the work for which he had long been planning. Twenty years had really been given to preparation, and in August, 1902, he came to Portland.
Her Mr. Walker purchased a half interest in a small shorthand school, which had a meager equipment, while a dozen students were enrolled. He paid five hundred dollars for his half interest in this school, which was occupying two small rooms in the Commercial building. One of the first steps taken was to systematize the work already installed and to rearrange the curriculum, thus making it a full-fledged business college. His successful management was at once apparent in the immediate growth of the school, and after two years it was necessary to seek more commodious quarters and a removal was made to the Sterns building, then in course of construction, the whole upper floor being modeled to suit the requirements of the college, Mr. Walker himself drawing the plans. The number of students continued to increase rapidly and two years later quarters were secured in the Elks building in rooms especially fitted up for the college. Already at that time it had gained the reputation of being the finest equipped business college in the Pacific northwest. The enlarged enrollment demanded still another change, and on the 1st of October, 1910, they removed to their new quarters – the Behnke-Walker building – at the corner of Fourth and Yamhill streets, where they have available more than thirty thousand square feet of floor space. Mr. Walker has succeeded in surrounding himself with a most efficient corps of assistants, bright and progressive young men and women, whose methods are thoroughly modern, meeting the demands of the times in every respect. Besides being president of the Behnke-Walker College, he is also president of the Columbia Beach Company and secretary of the Union Pacific Life Insurance Company.
Mr. Walker has been married twice. In Abilene, Kansas, in August, 1885, he wedded Miss Anna Stow, who passed away six years later. Three years after the death of his first wife he married Miss Laura Hoover, of North Manchester, Indiana, having formed her acquaintance when teaching in Mount Morris, Illinois. The Hoover family is prominently known all thought the state of Indiana and Pennsylvania. Four brother of the name came from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania, where annual reunions are held, on which occasions a large number of the descendants of the original progenitors assemble. The family have ever been greatly interested in the cause of education. Mr. Walker had one daughter, Eva Marie, by his first marriage and unto the second marriage has been born a son, Ralph Emerson.
Mr. and Mrs. Walker are members of the First Presbyterian church of Portland. He also belongs to the Odd Fellows fraternity and the Elks lodge. He has himself created the genial, helpful atmosphere which dominates the school of which he is president, and in his life he has exemplified the Emersonian principle that the way to win a friend is to be one.
Pg.1999-2001
PROFESSOR ISAAC M. WALKER
In a history of educational development in the northwest attention is called to marvelous strides made by the Behnke-Walker Business College of Portland, which within an almost incredibly short space of time as built up an institution second to none in the character of and thoroughness of its instruction no its attendance. Such an institution is proof that its promoters and its president, I. M. Walker, thoroughly know the practical as well as the theoretical side of business life. Their own institution is a monument to their ability and the success of their graduated students is proof of the excellence of their methods of teaching.
Mr. Walker was born in Hall, Pennsylvania, February 11, 1861, a son of Lewis P. and Barbara L. Walker, the former born in Hall, April 25, 1834, the latter in York Springs, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1840. The Walker family is of Welsh descent and of Quaker faith, nearly all of the descendants adhering to that religious belief. The mother was Pennsylvania Dutch, her ancestors coming from Holland. They were members of the German Reformed church and left Holland on account of religious persecution. Lewis P. Walker remained a resident of the Keystone state until the spring of 1877, when he removed with his entire family to Abilene, Kansas, thinking that he might have better opportunities in the middle west. Later he disposed of most of his holdings in Kansas, including two beautiful farms, and went to Arnett, Oklahoma, where he and his wife are still residing. They also own two farms near that city and also city realty.
Mr. Walker began his education in the public schools of his native town and continued his studies in the high school of Abilene, Kansas, where he worked for his room and Board during a nine months’ session. He had only two dollars and a half for spending money during that period. After finishing the high school course he taught in the public schools of that vicinity, spending the summer vacations as a student in the State Normal at Emporia, Kansas, his labor partially meeting the expenses of his board and tuition. For several years he taught in the schools of Dickinson, Butler county, Kansas, and while thus engaged conceived the idea of thoroughly preparing for business college work. For two years he remained in Burns county, Kansas, upon his father’s ranch, comprising six hundred and forty acres of land, and then selling out everything entered the Gem City Business College, at Quincy, Illinois, where he remained for a year and a half, studying all that time, during which completed the business and penmanship courses. Having exhausted his means he began work for the Quincy Casket Company as bookkeeper and billing clerk, holding the position for two years, when, wishing to broaden himself in business ideas he resigned his position and entered the employ of a bank, with which he remained for a year. At the expiration of that period he accepted a position in the Mount Morris (Ill.) College, as principal of the business department and teacher of mathematics, remaining with that institution for three years, when he resigned to accept the presidency of the Hayward College of Fairfield, Illinois, where he remained for three years. He was chosen for the following year and was also elected to the positon of principal and superintendent of city schools, but resigned both position to accept the principalship of the business department of Albany College, Albany, Oregon. He had long desired to come to the Pacific coast and the work being in line for the establishment of a business college, which was the ambition that he was cherishing, he made his way to this state and spent five years at Albany College. He then resigned, thinking the time opportune for starting in the work for which he had long been planning. Twenty years had really been given to preparation, and in August, 1902, he came to Portland.
Her Mr. Walker purchased a half interest in a small shorthand school, which had a meager equipment, while a dozen students were enrolled. He paid five hundred dollars for his half interest in this school, which was occupying two small rooms in the Commercial building. One of the first steps taken was to systematize the work already installed and to rearrange the curriculum, thus making it a full-fledged business college. His successful management was at once apparent in the immediate growth of the school, and after two years it was necessary to seek more commodious quarters and a removal was made to the Sterns building, then in course of construction, the whole upper floor being modeled to suit the requirements of the college, Mr. Walker himself drawing the plans. The number of students continued to increase rapidly and two years later quarters were secured in the Elks building in rooms especially fitted up for the college. Already at that time it had gained the reputation of being the finest equipped business college in the Pacific northwest. The enlarged enrollment demanded still another change, and on the 1st of October, 1910, they removed to their new quarters – the Behnke-Walker building – at the corner of Fourth and Yamhill streets, where they have available more than thirty thousand square feet of floor space. Mr. Walker has succeeded in surrounding himself with a most efficient corps of assistants, bright and progressive young men and women, whose methods are thoroughly modern, meeting the demands of the times in every respect. Besides being president of the Behnke-Walker College, he is also president of the Columbia Beach Company and secretary of the Union Pacific Life Insurance Company.
Mr. Walker has been married twice. In Abilene, Kansas, in August, 1885, he wedded Miss Anna Stow, who passed away six years later. Three years after the death of his first wife he married Miss Laura Hoover, of North Manchester, Indiana, having formed her acquaintance when teaching in Mount Morris, Illinois. The Hoover family is prominently known all thought the state of Indiana and Pennsylvania. Four brother of the name came from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania, where annual reunions are held, on which occasions a large number of the descendants of the original progenitors assemble. The family have ever been greatly interested in the cause of education. Mr. Walker had one daughter, Eva Marie, by his first marriage and unto the second marriage has been born a son, Ralph Emerson.
Mr. and Mrs. Walker are members of the First Presbyterian church of Portland. He also belongs to the Odd Fellows fraternity and the Elks lodge. He has himself created the genial, helpful atmosphere which dominates the school of which he is president, and in his life he has exemplified the Emersonian principle that the way to win a friend is to be one.
Portland, Oregon, its history and builders
Pg.1999-2001
PROFESSOR ISAAC M. WALKER
In a history of educational development in the northwest attention is called to marvelous strides made by the Behnke-Walker Business College of Portland, which within an almost incredibly short space of time as built up an institution second to none in the character of and thoroughness of its instruction no its attendance. Such an institution is proof that its promoters and its president, I. M. Walker, thoroughly know the practical as well as the theoretical side of business life. Their own institution is a monument to their ability and the success of their graduated students is proof of the excellence of their methods of teaching.
Mr. Walker was born in Hall, Pennsylvania, February 11, 1861, a son of Lewis P. and Barbara L. Walker, the former born in Hall, April 25, 1834, the latter in York Springs, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1840. The Walker family is of Welsh descent and of Quaker faith, nearly all of the descendants adhering to that religious belief. The mother was Pennsylvania Dutch, her ancestors coming from Holland. They were members of the German Reformed church and left Holland on account of religious persecution. Lewis P. Walker remained a resident of the Keystone state until the spring of 1877, when he removed with his entire family to Abilene, Kansas, thinking that he might have better opportunities in the middle west. Later he disposed of most of his holdings in Kansas, including two beautiful farms, and went to Arnett, Oklahoma, where he and his wife are still residing. They also own two farms near that city and also city realty.
Mr. Walker began his education in the public schools of his native town and continued his studies in the high school of Abilene, Kansas, where he worked for his room and Board during a nine months’ session. He had only two dollars and a half for spending money during that period. After finishing the high school course he taught in the public schools of that vicinity, spending the summer vacations as a student in the State Normal at Emporia, Kansas, his labor partially meeting the expenses of his board and tuition. For several years he taught in the schools of Dickinson, Butler county, Kansas, and while thus engaged conceived the idea of thoroughly preparing for business college work. For two years he remained in Burns county, Kansas, upon his father’s ranch, comprising six hundred and forty acres of land, and then selling out everything entered the Gem City Business College, at Quincy, Illinois, where he remained for a year and a half, studying all that time, during which completed the business and penmanship courses. Having exhausted his means he began work for the Quincy Casket Company as bookkeeper and billing clerk, holding the position for two years, when, wishing to broaden himself in business ideas he resigned his position and entered the employ of a bank, with which he remained for a year. At the expiration of that period he accepted a position in the Mount Morris (Ill.) College, as principal of the business department and teacher of mathematics, remaining with that institution for three years, when he resigned to accept the presidency of the Hayward College of Fairfield, Illinois, where he remained for three years. He was chosen for the following year and was also elected to the positon of principal and superintendent of city schools, but resigned both position to accept the principalship of the business department of Albany College, Albany, Oregon. He had long desired to come to the Pacific coast and the work being in line for the establishment of a business college, which was the ambition that he was cherishing, he made his way to this state and spent five years at Albany College. He then resigned, thinking the time opportune for starting in the work for which he had long been planning. Twenty years had really been given to preparation, and in August, 1902, he came to Portland.
Her Mr. Walker purchased a half interest in a small shorthand school, which had a meager equipment, while a dozen students were enrolled. He paid five hundred dollars for his half interest in this school, which was occupying two small rooms in the Commercial building. One of the first steps taken was to systematize the work already installed and to rearrange the curriculum, thus making it a full-fledged business college. His successful management was at once apparent in the immediate growth of the school, and after two years it was necessary to seek more commodious quarters and a removal was made to the Sterns building, then in course of construction, the whole upper floor being modeled to suit the requirements of the college, Mr. Walker himself drawing the plans. The number of students continued to increase rapidly and two years later quarters were secured in the Elks building in rooms especially fitted up for the college. Already at that time it had gained the reputation of being the finest equipped business college in the Pacific northwest. The enlarged enrollment demanded still another change, and on the 1st of October, 1910, they removed to their new quarters – the Behnke-Walker building – at the corner of Fourth and Yamhill streets, where they have available more than thirty thousand square feet of floor space. Mr. Walker has succeeded in surrounding himself with a most efficient corps of assistants, bright and progressive young men and women, whose methods are thoroughly modern, meeting the demands of the times in every respect. Besides being president of the Behnke-Walker College, he is also president of the Columbia Beach Company and secretary of the Union Pacific Life Insurance Company.
Mr. Walker has been married twice. In Abilene, Kansas, in August, 1885, he wedded Miss Anna Stow, who passed away six years later. Three years after the death of his first wife he married Miss Laura Hoover, of North Manchester, Indiana, having formed her acquaintance when teaching in Mount Morris, Illinois. The Hoover family is prominently known all thought the state of Indiana and Pennsylvania. Four brother of the name came from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania, where annual reunions are held, on which occasions a large number of the descendants of the original progenitors assemble. The family have ever been greatly interested in the cause of education. Mr. Walker had one daughter, Eva Marie, by his first marriage and unto the second marriage has been born a son, Ralph Emerson.
Mr. and Mrs. Walker are members of the First Presbyterian church of Portland. He also belongs to the Odd Fellows fraternity and the Elks lodge. He has himself created the genial, helpful atmosphere which dominates the school of which he is president, and in his life he has exemplified the Emersonian principle that the way to win a friend is to be one.
Pg.1999-2001
PROFESSOR ISAAC M. WALKER
In a history of educational development in the northwest attention is called to marvelous strides made by the Behnke-Walker Business College of Portland, which within an almost incredibly short space of time as built up an institution second to none in the character of and thoroughness of its instruction no its attendance. Such an institution is proof that its promoters and its president, I. M. Walker, thoroughly know the practical as well as the theoretical side of business life. Their own institution is a monument to their ability and the success of their graduated students is proof of the excellence of their methods of teaching.
Mr. Walker was born in Hall, Pennsylvania, February 11, 1861, a son of Lewis P. and Barbara L. Walker, the former born in Hall, April 25, 1834, the latter in York Springs, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1840. The Walker family is of Welsh descent and of Quaker faith, nearly all of the descendants adhering to that religious belief. The mother was Pennsylvania Dutch, her ancestors coming from Holland. They were members of the German Reformed church and left Holland on account of religious persecution. Lewis P. Walker remained a resident of the Keystone state until the spring of 1877, when he removed with his entire family to Abilene, Kansas, thinking that he might have better opportunities in the middle west. Later he disposed of most of his holdings in Kansas, including two beautiful farms, and went to Arnett, Oklahoma, where he and his wife are still residing. They also own two farms near that city and also city realty.
Mr. Walker began his education in the public schools of his native town and continued his studies in the high school of Abilene, Kansas, where he worked for his room and Board during a nine months’ session. He had only two dollars and a half for spending money during that period. After finishing the high school course he taught in the public schools of that vicinity, spending the summer vacations as a student in the State Normal at Emporia, Kansas, his labor partially meeting the expenses of his board and tuition. For several years he taught in the schools of Dickinson, Butler county, Kansas, and while thus engaged conceived the idea of thoroughly preparing for business college work. For two years he remained in Burns county, Kansas, upon his father’s ranch, comprising six hundred and forty acres of land, and then selling out everything entered the Gem City Business College, at Quincy, Illinois, where he remained for a year and a half, studying all that time, during which completed the business and penmanship courses. Having exhausted his means he began work for the Quincy Casket Company as bookkeeper and billing clerk, holding the position for two years, when, wishing to broaden himself in business ideas he resigned his position and entered the employ of a bank, with which he remained for a year. At the expiration of that period he accepted a position in the Mount Morris (Ill.) College, as principal of the business department and teacher of mathematics, remaining with that institution for three years, when he resigned to accept the presidency of the Hayward College of Fairfield, Illinois, where he remained for three years. He was chosen for the following year and was also elected to the positon of principal and superintendent of city schools, but resigned both position to accept the principalship of the business department of Albany College, Albany, Oregon. He had long desired to come to the Pacific coast and the work being in line for the establishment of a business college, which was the ambition that he was cherishing, he made his way to this state and spent five years at Albany College. He then resigned, thinking the time opportune for starting in the work for which he had long been planning. Twenty years had really been given to preparation, and in August, 1902, he came to Portland.
Her Mr. Walker purchased a half interest in a small shorthand school, which had a meager equipment, while a dozen students were enrolled. He paid five hundred dollars for his half interest in this school, which was occupying two small rooms in the Commercial building. One of the first steps taken was to systematize the work already installed and to rearrange the curriculum, thus making it a full-fledged business college. His successful management was at once apparent in the immediate growth of the school, and after two years it was necessary to seek more commodious quarters and a removal was made to the Sterns building, then in course of construction, the whole upper floor being modeled to suit the requirements of the college, Mr. Walker himself drawing the plans. The number of students continued to increase rapidly and two years later quarters were secured in the Elks building in rooms especially fitted up for the college. Already at that time it had gained the reputation of being the finest equipped business college in the Pacific northwest. The enlarged enrollment demanded still another change, and on the 1st of October, 1910, they removed to their new quarters – the Behnke-Walker building – at the corner of Fourth and Yamhill streets, where they have available more than thirty thousand square feet of floor space. Mr. Walker has succeeded in surrounding himself with a most efficient corps of assistants, bright and progressive young men and women, whose methods are thoroughly modern, meeting the demands of the times in every respect. Besides being president of the Behnke-Walker College, he is also president of the Columbia Beach Company and secretary of the Union Pacific Life Insurance Company.
Mr. Walker has been married twice. In Abilene, Kansas, in August, 1885, he wedded Miss Anna Stow, who passed away six years later. Three years after the death of his first wife he married Miss Laura Hoover, of North Manchester, Indiana, having formed her acquaintance when teaching in Mount Morris, Illinois. The Hoover family is prominently known all thought the state of Indiana and Pennsylvania. Four brother of the name came from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania, where annual reunions are held, on which occasions a large number of the descendants of the original progenitors assemble. The family have ever been greatly interested in the cause of education. Mr. Walker had one daughter, Eva Marie, by his first marriage and unto the second marriage has been born a son, Ralph Emerson.
Mr. and Mrs. Walker are members of the First Presbyterian church of Portland. He also belongs to the Odd Fellows fraternity and the Elks lodge. He has himself created the genial, helpful atmosphere which dominates the school of which he is president, and in his life he has exemplified the Emersonian principle that the way to win a friend is to be one.
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