Women at Pacific

Photograph of Mary Richardson Walker

Mary Richardson Walker was born April 1st, 1811. She grew up in Massachusetts as the oldest of eleven. In 1837, she meets Elkanah Walker. After only knowing each for 48 hours, they became engaged and were married a year later. Both being strong of faith and having a dream of being a missionary, they jumped at the chances to travel to Oregon Country as missionaries. They left on March 7th, 1838 with three other couples. They reached the Whitman Mission in August 29th, 1838. The Richardson’s then proceed to make a new mission called Tshimakain. The lived there for ten years. Shortly after the Whitman Massacre in 1847, then the Walker family decided to move to Oregon. Before long, the family became an eminent part of the Forest Grove community. The important thing to note about the Walker family was they were the ones who donated the land and a building in which Pacific University is established on. Elkanah also served on the board of trustees. Now the importance of Mary Richardson Walker cannot be easily overlooked. Not much is known of her true accomplishments, partly due to her gender. She wrote a diary of her entire journey through life. This journal is used today as an honest representation of life on the trail and once reaching Oregon. She is a true woman of the Oregon trail

Bowers, W. T.

PUApic_008396

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