Alexander Laurence Walker ⁶⁹⁵³

   Cause of his death was arteriosclerosis.

Lewiston Evening Journal
Lewiston, Maine
January 29, 1917
p. 5

Alexander L. Walker

Alexander L. Walker of Auburn passed away at his home on upper Winter St., Sunday, after a lingering illness of more than two years.

But few among the older generation of Auburn citizens were better known than him or more highly respected by friends, neighbors and comrades of the Grand Army. And we will add that few will be more missed and keenly regretted than this quiet and modest gentleman who for so many years has gone in and out among us.

Mr. Walker was born in the town of Litchfield 74 years ago and was the son of Samuel and Abigail Boulder Walker who were among the old time and historic stock of that community. It was a family of sturdy virtues that had been inherited by a long line of patriotic ancestors.

The early years of Mr. Walker were passed on his father's farm in Litchfield, but with the first thunders of the Civil War, he enlisted in the First Maine Calvary and with that regiment he served for more than four years except for a brief period when he was detailed an aid on the military staff of Fitz John Porter. In that place he was an orderly and there he saw some terrific service.

It is well known that his Maine Calvary regiment had a wonderful regard for battles fought and long marches endured. He was hrough them all and on one occasion during Bank's retreat had his horse shot beneath him. Bearing an almost charmed life, he took an active part in more than full score of battles from the second Bull Run to Appomattox, but never received even a scratch or had a day in a hospital. He was a fighter and to that business he gave his full time and strength. A thoroughly modest man, Mr. Waler could never be induced to talk about his army life. He had but little sympathy of many of the stories told of daring deeds and for this reason he refused to talk about himself. The fact that he served four years in the greatest fighting regiment of the Civil War tells a story more vividly than words. Many times the writer has tried to interview him on his military service but was always met with a laugh and a remark that he was an active member of the First Maine Cavalry. Beyond those few words he declined to talk, but those words told a wonderful story. The record of the regiment was also his record, for in its every battle he had a part. At South Mountain and Antietam, he was with Porter, and the nearest to an interview that he ever gave was to say: "The grass did not grow under our feet." During his service with Gen. Banks, he was forced at one time to make a distance of 70 miles in 24 hours, but he made it and the dispatch was delivered.

In this connection, it may be mentioned that his two brothers, Wm. D. and Charles H. Walker, served with him in the same regiment and both of these gentlemen are still living in Auburn. We believe that this is the only instance of three brothers of that cavalry reigment living fifty years after the close of the war. It was always a keen regret of Alexander Walker that he was not a the regiment at Appomattox, but he was only twelve miles away on detached service and could hear the booming of the cannon that sealed the fate of the rebellion.

Mr. Walker returned to Maine after his military service had ended and shortly afterwards was married to Miss Mary H. Gowen of Bangor, and to the couple two children have been born. These are Erving E. Walker, well known as an orchadist and horseman of Monmouth, and Miss Hattie M. Walker of Abbott Bros. dry goods store in Lewiston. These are the immediate family with the widow who are left to mourn the loss of a kind husband and father.

After the war, Mr. Walker lived in the town of Bradford for a few years and then removed to Monmouth where the next thirty years were passed and where he managed a large farm. His last move was to Auburn, some twelve years ago, and there he had since lived a retired life. He has made a large circle of friends who will hear of his death with a pang of sorrow. Among his comrades in Burnside post, he was very popular and up to the last year his afternoons were passed with the boys in their club room. None will regret his death more than the members of that organization and by none will he be more sincerely mourned. He has left a record that will not easily dim, and this will long be a source of pride to his descendants.

Alexander married Myra Gowen, daughter of Benjamin Gowen and Elizabeth Huntington, 2 February 1868 in Atkinson, Piscataquis County, Maine.⁶⁹⁵² (Myra Gowen was born 6 March 1847 in Bradford, Penobscot County, Maine,^6958,6959 died 7 March 1937 in Lewiston, Androscoggin County, Maine ^6958,6959 and was buried after 7 March 1937 in Litchfield Plains, Kennebec County, Maine at Litchfield Plains Cemetery ^6958,6959.)