ARTHUR L. WALKER, head of the Walker Realty Company and president of the Waurika Commercial Club and founder of various newspapers and banks in Comanche and Jefferson counties, is a typical promoter of the new southwest. He is full of energy and superb confidence in the future of the country, and yet a man of broad business ability and sound judgment. Born in Johnson county, Texas, on the 16th of December, 1879, his father is a widely known railroad contractor of the Lone Star state. The city schools of Fort Worth and Waco, Texas, provided the educational equipment of Arthur L. Walker, and the newspaper had an early and a strong attraction for him. From a newsboy on the street he graduated to the position of a circulator in an office, and fin311y to that of an advertising manager. While living in Texas he was successively connected with the Fort Worth Gazette, Waco Evening Telephone, Times-Harold, CorsicanaSun and the Waco Evening Enterprise —the last named being a penny paper issued by striking printers. During the opening of the Comanche country he also managed the Lawton State Democrat, the Botsford Tribune, Temple Tribune and Randlett Enterprise. The last two he founded, and is still owner of the Temple Tribune. He was interested in the companies which laid out Waurika and Temple, establishing also the Citizens' State Bank in each of the places named and afterward selling his interests. When Waurika was founded he opened a real estate office in the place, which business has since chiefly occupied his time, with the operation of a 3,600-acre lease in the vicinity. He also owns resident property in Waurika, and is actively identified with every movement to create a greater city. As stated, he is president of the Commercial Club, which has been at the foundation of the important industrial and civic improvements, including the location of a $25,000 hotel. In his fraternal relations, he is a Royal Arch Mason, an Elk, a Knight of Pythias and a Modern Woodman.
     Thomas F. Walker, the father of Arthur L., is a resident of Cordell, Oklahoma, who has passed much of his life as a grading contractor on the Fort Worth & Dallas Railway and as a street contractor at Fort Worth. He is a native of Palestine, Texas, born in 1848, and spent his early years as a farmer in his native locality and Johnson county, Texas. The American branch of the family originated in Georgia, whence the paternal grandfather migrated to Anderson county, Texas. He was a planter and a slave owner in his native state, and was the father of the following: William and John, residents of Paris, Texas, and ex-Confedederate soldiers; Harriet, who married a Mr. Walker and resides at Clarksville, Texas, and Thomas F. The last named married Cornelia E. Williams, of Birmingham, Alabama. She died in Waco, Texas, August 6, 1906, mother of Arthur L. (our subject) and Edgar, Raymond F. and Ruby, of Cordell, Oklahoma. Arthur L. Walker was married at Duncan, Oklahoma, March 1, 1906, to Miss Prudie Morgan, of Waurika. His wife is a native of Omaha. Nebraska, born on the, 14th of October, 1889.