..........Mr. Matthew Walker was born in 1789 at Bathgate from where he migrated to Hamilton and married Janet from Hamilton. In 1825 he was appointed manager of Quarter Colliery by Mr. Brown, factor to the Duke of Hamilton. He remained in charge till 1854 when the mineral field was let to Messrs. Dunlop of Clyde Ironworks. He also had charge of the Duke's tile-works at Darngaber and Boghead lime-works for upwards of 20 years. After Dunlop leased the minerals he continued in their service for some time and afterwards became tacksman of Boghead Limeworks which he worked for a number of years.
.......... As manager of the above works he was highly esteemed and respected by his employers and all with whom he had dealings with in business. This feeling was shown in an eminent manner on his leaving the Duke's service in 1854. He and his partner in life were then presented each with a handsome gold watch and a purse of sovereigns as a testimonial of merit and as a further reward for long and faithful services extending over half a century he was left by the grandfather of the present Duke with a free house and pension for life the house he occupied for sixty years.
..........In politics, Mr. Walker was a Liberal and he headed the Quarter contingent of colliers at the great reform demonstration in the South Haugh in 1832. He was a steadfast and warm friend of the late Rev. John Macfarlane of Saffronhall and took an active part and was the main instrument in getting the church erected for him, the foundation stone of which was laid in 1841. He acted as preses of the managers of the church so long as Mr. Macfarlane lived.
..........Having a literary taste, he was a great reader and very intelligent in both sacred and secular literature. He was of a cheerful disposition, free and social in his nature and his genial remarks, kind words and friendly greetings, like his memory will be long cherished by his large family circle as well as by his friends and neighbours with whom he associated. Mr. Walker passed away in February 1885 at Quarter.