Memorials › George Franklin Walker

George Franklin Walker

15 Aug 1885 – 24 Aug 1969

Birth	15 Aug 1885
Death	24 Aug 1969
Cemetery	Vernal Memorial Park Vernal , Uintah County , Utah , USA
Added by	SRBentz on 03 Nov 2009
FaG	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42028233

Bio

Son of John Young Walker and Chastina Holman Husband Rose Richardson, married 16 December 1908, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah Husband of Ellen Bramall, married 15 December 1949, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah George Franklin Walker was born in Pleasant Grove, Utah, on August 15, 1885, to John Young Walker and Chastina Holman. He was the second oldest son and the third child of this family; the oldest son, John Holman Walker died when he was less than a year old. When George was eighteen years old, his father was called on a mission to England and George did much to help support the family and care for the farm while his father was away. When George married, he built a little red brick house where he and his family lived for a few years. Later, he moved into another home one-half mile west of the old homestead- the old Gus Davidson place. Here he lived until 1919 when he sold the home and property, and moved to Vernal, Utah where he purchased a sixty-acre farm from the Hullinger estate. George Walker was always a great lover and real handler of horses. He always had several teams of workhorses along with some riding horses on his farm. During his courting days, he always had the greatest of pride in a good horse and buggy. It was not uncommon to race these horses on the straight stretch of road between Pleasant Grove and American Fork. On one occasion his horse became frightened by a motorcycle, and the horse and the buggy ended bottom-side-up in a ditch at the side of the road. While courting Rose, who lived in Provo for the latter part of their courting period, he would drive there in one hour. After spending the evening with his beloved Rose, he would often stay at his Uncle Jesse Harman's home, and then drive home early in the morning to do the chores and to work. Work was the main thing in George's life. He was never afraid to work and he began early by helping to clear the sagebrush off the land at the old homestead in Lindon. Other early jobs he remembers having had to keep him busy were, thinning sugar beets and herding cows. Most generally he had a horse to ride while herding the cows. George had always been bashful and not willing to do things just to be seen. He always enjoyed a party with his own family but never cared to attend big parties or social gatherings in the church or community. He had great pride and joy in his family and wanted them to do the things that would develop their talents and character. He always had family prayer with his family and urged each member to be active in church responsibilities. Three of his sons and one daughter were called on missions for the Church. He worked untiringly at many jobs to support his family. This training and idea of work were early established in his life by his parents. Because he was a real teamster, he helped to haul much material used in the building of many important structures of the time. He hauled ore out of the American Fork Canyon for the King Brothers. This was a two-day trip. He hauled three tons of ore per trip, he helped build the large water pipeline down the Provo Canyon. This was used for irrigation and made it possible to get the water out of the canyon onto the Provo Bench area. He hauled much of the brick used in building the schoolhouse in Lindon. When the dam was built at the Strawberry Reservoir, he hauled much of the cement that was used in the construction. After moving to Vernal he was hired by the city to do much of the road work or grading and leveling, as well as sprinkling the main roads with water when they became too dusty. Later, he was hired by the State Road Commission to maintain a section of the State Highway, beginning at Vernal City limits (commonly known as Ashton's Corner) to the Naples store. Men liked to work with him because he was pleasant and happy, and easy to get along with. He was always willing to do his full share of work. He took good care of his team and never found fault with the other man's work. For years he owned a grain binder and did custom work for his neighbors. He always had more than he could do during the sunlight hours. But if he told a customer he would cut his grain, he was as diligent to cut it before it was too ripe as if it were his own. When his sons became old enough to operate the binder, he would have them cut part of the day and then he would take another three horses and work long into the night using a lantern or the moonlight as a light. It was while returning home one night at dusk that a drunken driver hit one end of the binder, broke the tongue, threw him off the seat, and caused the horses to run away with the machine. The injury he received in his back and leg was troublesome for a long time afterward. Although George was constantly working with animals, he was never a man to swear profanely. His chief bye-word was "inks". If he skinned his knuckles when a wrench slipped, about all he would say was, "Jinks boy." When his children were out of line and needed correction he spoke of having to "tan your jacket." This meant that you better straighten up, now. George married Rose Richardson in 1908. They lived together for thirty-three and one-half years when she died in May 1942. She was a real wife and an inspiring mother. Her faith never wavered. Her song never ceased. She worked unselfishly for her family, her church, and her community. She assumed her share of the responsibility for teaching and rearing the family. They learned to appreciate song and music through her. They were taught to honor and respect their heritage as members of the Church, and to want to do something about it. She often would say, "If it is worth doing at all, it is worth doing well, do your best." When Rose passed away, George became his independent self again and insisted on living alone until he was married to Ellen Bramall Vance in December 1949. They lived in Springville, Utah. He sold his farm in Vernal to three of his sons, Frank, Ralph, and Don. He passed away on 24 Aug 1969 in Vernal, Uintah, Utah, and was buried in Vernal, Utah.

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