Joseph Edison Walker
Encyclopedia
Joseph Edison Walker was a leading African American
businessman who founded the Universal Life Insurance Company and Tri-State Bank, both of Memphis, Tennessee
.
In 1903, Walker graduated from Alcorn College
in Lorman, Mississippi
. He graduated from medical school at Meharry Medical College
in Nashville, Tennessee
.
On October 26, 1906, he married Lela O'Neal. This union produced two children, Johnetta Elmo Walker [Kelso] (June 14, 1907–January 5, 1995) and A(ntonio) Maceo Walker
(June 7, 1909–June 8, 1994). Mrs. Walker died in 1954. Dr. Walker secretly married the former Louise S. O'Reilly, a 30-year-old school teacher on September 28, 1957.
In 1923, Walker founded the Universal Life Insurance Company in Memphis, Tennessee, and served as its president until 1952.
Dr. Walker and his son, A. Maceo Walker, founded Tri-State Bank & Trust Company (later Tri-State Bank of Memphis)) in 1946. Dr. Walker served as president of the bank until his death.
His death was widely reported in the media. It was estimated that 35,000 came to view his casket as his body lay in state.
Dr. Walker's will, drafted before his second marriage, left the bulk of his estate to his two children. Louise O'Reilly Walker filed a "widow's dissent" with the Probate Court because no provision was made for her in the will.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
businessman who founded the Universal Life Insurance Company and Tri-State Bank, both of Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
.
Biography
Walker was born on March 31, 1879 (some sources indicate 1880) in Tillman, Mississippi to George and Patsy (Wheeler) Walker.In 1903, Walker graduated from Alcorn College
Alcorn State University
Alcorn State University is an historically black university comprehensive land-grant institution in Lorman, Mississippi. It was founded in 1871-History:...
in Lorman, Mississippi
Lorman, Mississippi
Lorman is an unincorporated community in Jefferson County, Mississippi, United States. It is home to Alcorn State University, which was attended by Medgar Evers and Steve McNair ....
. He graduated from medical school at Meharry Medical College
Meharry Medical College
Meharry Medical College, located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States, is a graduate and professional institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church whose mission is to educate healthcare professionals and scientists. Founded in 1876 as the Medical Department of Central Tennessee...
in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
.
On October 26, 1906, he married Lela O'Neal. This union produced two children, Johnetta Elmo Walker [Kelso] (June 14, 1907–January 5, 1995) and A(ntonio) Maceo Walker
A. Maceo Walker
A. Maceo Walker was an African-American businessman who served as president of the Universal Life Insurance Company of Memphis, Tennessee.-Biography:...
(June 7, 1909–June 8, 1994). Mrs. Walker died in 1954. Dr. Walker secretly married the former Louise S. O'Reilly, a 30-year-old school teacher on September 28, 1957.
In 1923, Walker founded the Universal Life Insurance Company in Memphis, Tennessee, and served as its president until 1952.
Dr. Walker and his son, A. Maceo Walker, founded Tri-State Bank & Trust Company (later Tri-State Bank of Memphis)) in 1946. Dr. Walker served as president of the bank until his death.
Death
On July 28, 1958, he was shot to death in his office by J(udge) W(ashington) Hamilton, a former deacon of the non-denominational Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, founded by Dr. Walker. Dr. Walker and Hamilton were once close friends, but their relationship began to sour after Hamilton was unable to repay a $8,000 loan. Despite being attacked by Hamilton with a cane in April of 1956, Dr. Walker refused to file charges against him or hire a bodyguard.His death was widely reported in the media. It was estimated that 35,000 came to view his casket as his body lay in state.
Dr. Walker's will, drafted before his second marriage, left the bulk of his estate to his two children. Louise O'Reilly Walker filed a "widow's dissent" with the Probate Court because no provision was made for her in the will.