Walker Meares was born in Wilmington, New Hanover County on July 1, 1832. He attended the University of North Carolina, graduating in 1853 before becoming a druggist, and he was involved in Eliza Margaret Cotten's social circle. In 1856 he married Ann Claypole Wright and the couple had at least nine known children. He died in Wilmington on April 8, 1919.