John H. Walker

John Hunter Walker (April 27, 1872 – August 27, 1955) was a Scottish-born American labor unionist and politician. Born in Binniehill, in Scotland, Walker emigrated to the United States with his family in 1881. They settled in Braidwood, Illinois, and the same year, Walker began working at a colliery in Coal City, Illinois. Two years later, he joined the Knights of Labor, aged just 11. Walker later returned to Scotland, but soon came back to the United States. He joined the United Mine Workers of America and soon became a full-time organizer for the union, covering West Virginia. In that role, he met Mother Jones, and quickly became her closest associate in the union. Walker later settled in Danville, Illinois, and in 1905, he was elected to the executive board of the union's District 12. He served as president of the district, from 1906 to 1909, and from 1910 to 1913. He was a supporter of the Socialist Party of America, and in 1906 he ran unsuccessfully for the United States House of Representatives.