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Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",  published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.

     WALKER HUDKINS, who resides at 718 E. Indiana avenue, Spokane, Washington, is one of the Big Bend pioneers, whose labors have accomplished much good and development in that fertile region.  He was born in the vicinity of Parkersburg, West Virginia, on May 7, 1849.  His father, Elisha Hudkins, was born in what is now West Virginia, in 1812, and died in Illinois, in February, 1877.  He had followed farming all his life.  His first marriage was to Elizabeth Rymer, by whom he had four children, Mrs. Ellen Rymer, Samantha, William, and Jasper.  In the home state, Mrs. Hudkins died and then later Mr. Hudkins married Miss Rachel Mearns, who was born in the territory now embraced in West Virginia, in 1820.  Her father was Andrew Mearns, a farmer.  About 1859, the elder Hudkins brought his family west to Hancock county, Illinois, and there followed farming until his death.  His widow later made the trip to Oregon, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Mary McCall, in Wallowa county, that state, the date being 1891.  The children born to this couple are: Andrew, now in Hancock county, Illinois; Mary J. McCall, of Wallowa county, Oregon; Floyd, who is mentioned in this work elsewhere; Walker, who is the subject of this article; Margaret, who died in Illinois when aged about twenty; Minerva Richardson, who died in Altoona, Kansas, in 1900; Leah Brant, now living in Union county, Oregon; and Alice who died in infancy.
     Our subject was but four years of age when he came with his parents to Illinois and in the Prairie State he was reared and educated, finishing his schooling by a year in Carthge College.  He labored on the farm during youth and later farmed for himself in Illinois until 1885.  In the fall of that year he prepared to try the west and selecting Oregon as the objective point, we find Mr. Hudkins and his family landing in Lagrande, that state, about October.  He rented a farm there for two years and then came on to the Big Bend country, locating near Brents and renting a farm.  It was in October, 1887, that Mr. Hudkins landed amid the sea of bunch grass in Lincoln county and from that time until the day of his removal to Spokane to school his children, he was known as one of the representative citizens and a stanch man and progressive pioneer.  After renting some time he bought a quarter section, and later took a preemption.  Later he bought a half section, upon one-fourth of which stood the historic town of Brents.  In 1899, Mr. Hudkins bought three eighties adjoining his other property, it being the place where he had lived most of the time since coming to the county, the estate lies about two and one-half miles north from Creston.  In 1903, Mr. Hudkins added another quarter and then an eighty which makes him an estate of one and one-half sections, two-thirds of which are under cultivation and producing excellent crops annually.  The balance is pasture and timber.  The farm is supplied with all improvements necessary, including a first class barn and fine orchard.  In November, 1903, Mr. Hudkins purchased the residence where he now lives in Spokane and makes that the family home, the move being taken for the purpose of giving the children better school advantages.
     On December 30, 1879, Mr. Hudkins married Miss Emma Martin, the daughter of Spencer and Sarah (Michel) Martin, natives of West Virginia.  They followed farming and the father died in his native state in 1862, while the mother died in Illinois, in 1891.  The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Martin are, Jane, Maria, Henry, Jesse, Tabitha, Mahala, Emma, John, and Laura.  Mrs. Hudkins was educated in her native state and accompanied her mother to Illinois about 1875, and since her marriage she has been a sharer of the labors and success of her husband.  They are the parents of the following named children: Olive Myrtle, born in Illinois, on December 6, 1880, and died in 1883; Lillian Pearl, born in Illinois, on December 22, 1881, and died in Illinois in 1882; Ernest Walker, born in Illinois, on May 12, 1883, and died August, 1884; Russell Alva, born in Illinois, on May 16, 1885, and now with his parents; Rachel Helen, born in Lincoln county, on December 5, 1887, and now at home.
     Mr. Hudkins two half brothers and his eldest brother fought for the union in the Civil war and the eldest, William, was killed.  Mr. and Mrs. Hudkins belong to the Rebeckahs, while he also belongs to the A. F. & A. M., and the I. O. O. F., and Mrs. Hudkins is an adherent of the Methodist church.  Politically, he is a Democrat, but is not especially active.  He has seen and knows by experience the hardships of the pioneer, has labored faithfully in development and forwarding the interests of the Big Bend, and he and his wife are now justly entitled to the emoluments of their labors.  They are known as estimable people and have shown a stability and tenacity that deservedly win in the race of life.
 


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