Dates

• Existence: 1832 - 1904

Biographical History

Charles L. Walker (1832-1904) was a poet, hymn writer, and pioneer southern Utah.

Charles Lowell Walker was born in Leek, Staffordshire, England on November 17, 1832. When he was a young boy, Walker and his family joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and immigrated to the Salt Lake Valley.

He married Abigail Middlemass Walker on September 28, 1861 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Shortly after their marriage, Brigham Young called Charles L. Walker to the "Cotton Mission," which was to move south and settle Saint George, Utah. Charles and Abigail left Salt Lake City on November 17, 1862 and arrived in Dixie on December 9, 1862. Together they had eight children.

Walker took a second wife, Sarah Smith (1858-1932), on January 12, 1877 in Saint George, Utah. She also bore him eight children.

Walker wrote hymns and poetry and worked with many other members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints constructing the St. George Temple from 1871-1877. He wrote the hymn "Dearest Children, God Is Near You." He also kept journals during the construction of the St. George Temple and witnessed the first baptism for the dead performed in that temple in January, 1877.

Walker died at age 72 on January 11, 1904 in Saint George, Utah.

Citation:

His The diary of Charles L. Walker, 1980: t.p. (Charles L. Walker) introd. (Charles Lowell Walker; b. 11/17/1832; d. 1/11/1904; pseud.: Mark Whiz)

FamilySearch, Sept. 4, 2014 (Charles L. Walker; b. Leek, Staffordshire, England on November 17, 1832; m. Abigail Middlemass Walker (1842-1931) on Sept. 28, 1861 in Salt Lake City, Utah; d. Jan. 11, 1904 in St. George, Utah)

UPB files, Sept. 4, 2014 (Brigham Young called Charles L. Walker to the "Cotton Mission," which was to move south and settle St. George, Utah; Charles and Abigail left Salt Lake City on November 17, 1862 and arrived in Dixie on December 9, 1862; they had 8 children; took a second wife, Sarah Smith (1858-1932), on January 12, 1877 in St. George, Utah; also bore him 8 children; wrote hymns and poetry and worked with many other members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints constructing the St. George Temple from 1871-1877; he wrote the hymn "Dearest Children, God Is Near You;" also kept journals during the construction of the St. George Temple and witnessed the first baptism for the dead performed in that temple in January, 1877)