David Davis Walker

David Davis Walker was born on January 19, 1840, on a farm near Bloomington, Illinois. His parents were George E. Walker (1797–1864) and Harriet Mercer (1802–1869). His paternal grandfather, Thomas Walker, was involved in English slave trading. Walker was a first cousin of David Davis, who served as a United States Senator and Supreme Court Justice.

At the age of fourteen, Walker attended Beloit Preparatory Academy, part of Beloit College, located in Wisconsin. In 1857, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, to undertake business training with Crow, McCreery & Co., which was then the largest wholesale dry goods firm in the city. He began his career there as an office boy and advanced to become a partner within eight years.

Walker suffered health issues attributed to his intense work ethic, leading him to leave the firm in 1878 and spend the following two years recovering. In 1880, he co-founded Ely, Walker & Co. with Frank Ely and other partners. The company operated successfully, and in 1883, it was incorporated as the Ely & Walker Dry Goods Company. Walker served as president until 1892, after which he retained the largest share of ownership.

In 1896, the company constructed a large warehouse on Washington Avenue in St. Louis, which has been known as Ely Walker Lofts. The Ely & Walker business was a notable clothing manufacturer, with Walker's sons—David Davis, Jr., Joseph Sidney, and George Herbert—being involved in the enterprise. Following World War II, the firm was acquired by Burlington Industries. The son George Herbert Walker pursued a career in banking.

Walker was married to Martha Adela Beaky. They had six children, including George Herbert Walker.

He passed away on October 4, 1918, at Walker’s Point in Kennebunkport, Maine. Walker's Point is a seaside property that is currently part of the Bush family compound. His descendants include notable political figures, with his great-grandson George H. W. Bush and his great-great-grandson George W. Bush both serving as Presidents of the United States.