Shortly after moving to Lewistown, Major Walker was asked to design and supervise the construction of the Fulton County courthouse (actually, the third courthouse in Lewistown, and often referred to as the "old Court House").
This courthouse was built in 1838 in the Greek Revival style and featured four sandstone columns in front that were quarried from the Spoon River bottom.
An outside staircase led to the upper floor.
In this building, prominent local attorneys such as Abraham Lincoln, Edward Dickinson Baker and James Shields argued cases of law, and Stephen A. Douglas was a presiding judge.
Lincoln and Douglas each gave speeches from between the columns, including Lincoln's famous "Back to the Declaration of Independence" speech on August 17, 1858.
This courthouse burned in a fire of controversial origin on December 13, 1894.

After serving as a Fulton County supervisor, Walker was elected as a Whig to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1838, representing Fulton County.
Abraham Lincoln was also a member of the Illinois House of Representatives at that time, representing Sangamon County, and was a fellow member of the Whig party.
Despite having the same party affiliation, the two men had political differences, and Major Walker in his later years remarked that he used to give Lincoln "Hail Columbia."
Walker strongly opposed the building of the Illinois Central Railroad, which was a major measure before the state legislature at the time, whereas Lincoln was a staunch supporter of its construction.
Nevertheless, the two men became good friends during their time in the legislature.
Major Walker recalled entertaining Lincoln by playing the fiddle in the boarding house near the capitol building in Vandalia, Illinois, where Walker was staying.

The friendship between Walker and Lincoln continued after Walker left the legislature.
Lincoln was a frequent guest in the Walker home in Lewistown, where Major Walker often played his fiddle for Lincoln in return for Lincoln's stories and anecdotes.
Lincoln had his last meal in Lewistown in Major Walker's home on August 17, 1858, following Lincoln's address from the courthouse.
The next morning, Walker drove Lincoln to Canton, Illinois, in his carriage.
According to Walker, the two men discussed politics on the way, including Lincoln's high opinion of William H. Seward, then a U.S. Senator from New York who would later serve as Secretary of State during Lincoln's presidency.
Shortly after moving to Lewistown, Major Walker was asked to design and supervise the construction of the Fulton County courthouse (actually, the third courthouse in Lewistown, and often referred to as the "old Court House"). This courthouse was built in 1838 in the Greek Revival style and featured four sandstone columns in front that were quarried from the Spoon River bottom. An outside staircase led to the upper floor. In this building, prominent local attorneys such as Abraham Lincoln, Edward Dickinson Baker and James Shields argued cases of law, and Stephen A. Douglas was a presiding judge. Lincoln and Douglas each gave speeches from between the columns, including Lincoln's famous "Back to the Declaration of Independence" speech on August 17, 1858. This courthouse burned in a fire of controversial origin on December 13, 1894.
After serving as a Fulton County supervisor, Walker was elected as a Whig to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1838, representing Fulton County. Abraham Lincoln was also a member of the Illinois House of Representatives at that time, representing Sangamon County, and was a fellow member of the Whig party. Despite having the same party affiliation, the two men had political differences, and Major Walker in his later years remarked that he used to give Lincoln "Hail Columbia." Walker strongly opposed the building of the Illinois Central Railroad, which was a major measure before the state legislature at the time, whereas Lincoln was a staunch supporter of its construction. Nevertheless, the two men became good friends during their time in the legislature. Major Walker recalled entertaining Lincoln by playing the fiddle in the boarding house near the capitol building in Vandalia, Illinois, where Walker was staying.
The friendship between Walker and Lincoln continued after Walker left the legislature. Lincoln was a frequent guest in the Walker home in Lewistown, where Major Walker often played his fiddle for Lincoln in return for Lincoln's stories and anecdotes. Lincoln had his last meal in Lewistown in Major Walker's home on August 17, 1858, following Lincoln's address from the courthouse. The next morning, Walker drove Lincoln to Canton, Illinois, in his carriage. According to Walker, the two men discussed politics on the way, including Lincoln's high opinion of William H. Seward, then a U.S. Senator from New York who would later serve as Secretary of State during Lincoln's presidency.
Isaac Newton Walker