Leva (left) and Elda (right) Walker, standing in a doorway in matching white dresses, with Leva holding a flower. These sisters were the daughters of Levi C. and Belle Putman Walker. Their paternal grandparents were the former missionaries Elkanah and Mary Richardson Walker. Born in 1877 and 1878, they were most likely the first women from Forest Grove to earn a doctoral degree, Elda from the University of Nebraska and Leva from Cornell University. Both Doctorates were in Biology. The sisters taught together at the University of Nebraska and lived together until their deaths in 1970 and 1971. This photograph was likely taken in Oregon in the late 1880s or early 1890s, when they were around 12 years old. It may have been taken on a special occasion such as confirmation as members of the Congregational Church, attendance at a wedding, or a similar event.
Elda (left) and Leva (right) Walker, sitting outdoors surrounded by ferns. These sisters were the daughters of Levi C. and Belle Putman Walker. Their paternal grandparents were the former missionaries Elkanah and Mary Richardson Walker. Born in 1877 and 1878, they were most likely the first women from Forest Grove to earn a doctoral degree, Elda from the University of Nebraska and Leva from Cornell University. Both Doctorates were in Biology. The sisters taught together at the University of Nebraska and lived together until their deaths in 1970 and 1971. This photograph was likely taken in Oregon in the early 1890s when they were in their mid-teens. The setting among ferns may reflect an early interest in botany.
A snapshot of Elda and Leva Walker with three other women scientists seated at a table. A note on the back identifies the women as: "Left to right, Dr. Elda Anderson - Speaker, Dr. Engelbrecht - Nat. Pres., Leva Walker, Lulu Rungs, Elda Walker." All of the women are wearing corsages, hats and nice dresses. They appear to be guests of honor at a banquet or other similar event, perhaps related to honoring women in science. Elda and Leva Walker were the daughters of Levi and Belle Walker, and the granddaughters of Oregon missionaries Elkanah and Mary Richardson Walker. Leva and Elda graduated from Pacific University in 1900. Born in 1877 and 1878, they were most likely the first women from Forest Grove to earn a doctoral degree, Elda from the University of Nebraska and Leva from Cornell University. Both Doctorates were in Biology. The sisters taught together at the University of Nebraska and lived together until their deaths in 1970 and 1971. This photograph was probably taken in the 1950s.
A vignette portrait of Leva Walker late in life, probably circa 1970. Leva was the daughter of Levi C. Walker and Belle Putman Walker, and the granddaughter of Oregon missionaries Elkanah and Mary Richardson Walker. Leva and her sister, Elda, graduated from Pacific University in 1900. Born in 1877 and 1878, they were most likely the first women from Forest Grove to earn a doctoral degree, Elda from the University of Nebraska and Leva from Cornell University. Both Doctorates were in Biology. The sisters taught together at the University of Nebraska and lived together until their deaths in 1970 and 1971.
A portrait of Leva Belle Walker (1878-1970), probably taken in the 1890s when Leva was in her teens. Leva and her sister Elda entered Pacific University beginning in 1897. Prior to that, she had lived with her parents, Levi and Belle Walker, while they worked as instructors at the Siletz Indian School and Chemawa Indian School. Leva and Elda Walker went on to become the first female alumnae of Pacific University to earn Ph.D.s. Leva taught botany and mycology at the University of Nebraska from 1908-1950s.
The home of Levi Walker in Forest Grove, Oregon as it appeared in the late 1800s or early 1900s. Several people, presumably Walker Family members, are standing in the middle-ground of the image on the right; Levi Walker is probably the man sitting on the porch. The others pictured here may include his wife, Belle and their daughters, Elda and Leva. A note on a related copy of this photograph (FGLpic_00073) notes that the house stood on what is now 23rd Avenue between A and B Streets in Forest Grove.
Levi Walker was the son of Elkanah and Mary Richardson Walker, who came to the Pacific Northwest as missionaries in the 1830s. From the 1880s-1890s, Levi and his wife Belle taught at several government boarding schools for Native American children, including the Forest Grove Indian School, the Siletz Indian School, and Chemawa Indian School. This photograph may date from the 1880s, when their daughters were infants.
An albumen print photograph showing a group of workers standing near what appears to be a hop kiln or drying-barn, probably in the 1880s. Most of the workers are children, with boys on the left and girls on the right, with several adults interspersed. Many of the boys and some of the girls appear to be Native American. Three people are standing on a platform above, next to a pulley. A stack of wood, possibly for feeding the kiln, is on the left; and a wagon and other machinery stand on the right.
The location is identified in handwriting on the front: “Oak Grove, Hop Yard, Marion Co.” A note on the back states that this item was given “To Prof. Walker, Compliments C.A. Cook.” The “Walker” named here was most likely Samuel A.T. Walker, who served as the shoemaking instructor at Chemawa Indian School in the late 1880s; many other photographs also belonging to his family were deposited in the Pacific University Archives. Given this context, this photograph may depict Walker accompanying a work detail of boys from the school to pick hops.
