Walker, Henry N. (Henry Nelson), 1811-1886

Detroit lawyer and businessman.

Born in Chautauqua County, New York on Nov. 30, 1811, Henry N. Walker attended the Fredonia Academy and read law with James Mullett. In 1834 he came to Detroit, where he was admitted to the bar, and became a partner of Farnworth, Douglass & Campbell. In 1837 Walker was master in chancery; attorney general from 1843-1845; state representative in 1846, and Supreme Court reporter. Walker served as city historiographer, postmaster, 1859-1860, and commissioner of Michigan, 1883-1884. In 1862 Henry Walker married Emily Virginia Norvell, daughter of Colonel John Norvell, Michigan's first state senator. In 1861 he purchased the Detroit Free Press, later selling half interest to W.E. Quinby. He died on Feb. 24, 1886.