Part of the American History & Genealogy Project

Alice Brenard Ewing Walker

Mrs. Walker is the widow of John Reed Walker, a lawyer of Kansas City, Missouri, widely known in his profession and in politics. She is the daughter of Ephraim B. Ewing and Elizabeth Ann Allen, his wife. Judge Ewing was born in Todd County, Kentucky, but grew to manhood in Missouri and is identified with its history in many distinguished positions, secretary of state, attorney-general, judge of the Supreme Court and of the Surrogate Court of St. Louis, and was on the supreme bench at the time of his death. His father, Finis Ewing, was born in Bedford County, Virginia, but at an early date he and his brothers went to Kentucky. An old historian says: "The Ewings brought with them the law and the Gospel to Kentucky." Finis Ewing was the founder of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and was a man of great ability and force of character. In the war of 1812 he served as chaplain on condition that if needed he might use his rifle. He was the intimate and lifelong friend of Andrew Jackson and Thomas H. Benton. Mrs. Walker's mother, Elizabeth Ann Allen, was the daughter of Dr. Thomas Allen and Nancy Watkins, his wife, of Prince Edward County, Virginia. Dr. Allen's father, Charles Allen, was a colonel in the Revolutionary army. On the maternal side her grandfather was Colonel Thomas Watkins, who served under Washington and was personally complimented by him for bravery at Guilford. Mrs. Walker was elected vice-president of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1903 and re-elected in 1905, both times receiving the highest vote cast by the congress. She served the Elizabeth Benton Chapter of Kansas City, Missouri, as regent three consecutive terms, resigning when elected vice-president-general. Mrs. Walker is identified with the Memorial Continental Hall monument, as a member of that committee. She incorporated the fund for the Missouri room. She has written and spoken much on patriotic subjects, delivering an address on Daughters' Day at the World's Fair and was invited by both Mrs. Fairbanks and Mrs. McLean to respond to the address of welcome. She was elected to represent Missouri at the ceremonies of the Jamestown Exposition, September 19, 1906.

Women of America

Source: The Part Taken by Women in American History, By Mrs. John A. Logan, Published by The Perry-Nalle Publishing Company, Wilmington, Delaware, 1912.