Gilbert C. Walker
American politician (1833–1885)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gilbert Carlton Walker (August 1, 1833 – May 11, 1885) was an American politician. He served as the 36th Governor of Virginia, first as a Republican provisional governor between 1869 and 1870, and again as a Democrat elected governor from 1870 to 1874. He was the last Republican governor of Virginia until Linwood Holton took office in 1970.
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Gilbert C. Walker | |
|---|---|
Harper's Weekly, July 24, 1869 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 3rd district | |
| In office March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1879 | |
| Preceded by | John A. Smith |
| Succeeded by | Joseph E. Johnston |
| Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor | |
| In office March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1877 | |
| Preceded by | James Monroe |
| Succeeded by | John Goode, Jr. |
| 36th Governor of Virginia | |
| In office September 21, 1869 – January 1, 1874 Provisional Governor from September 21, 1869 – January 1, 1870 | |
| Lieutenant | John F. Lewis John Lawrence Marye Jr. |
| Preceded by | Henry H. Wells (as Provisional Governor) |
| Succeeded by | James L. Kemper |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Gilbert Carlton Walker August 1, 1833 |
| Died | May 11, 1885 (aged 51) New York City, US |
| Resting place | Spring Forest Cemetery, Binghamton, New York, US |
| Party | Republican (before 1870) |
| Other political affiliations | Democratic (after 1870) |
| Spouse | Olive E. Evans (m. 1857) |
| Alma mater | Hamilton College |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Signature | .png){kind=small} |
Early and family life
Walker was born in Binghamton, New York[1] on August 1, 1833,[2] the son of Sabinus Walker and Matilda (Galloway) Walker.[2][a] Walker's parents separated when he was young, and his mother married Donald Grant of Chenango, New York.[7][8] He attended academies in Delaware, New York and Binghamton, New York, then attended Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts from 1851 to 1852.[2]
In 1854, Walker received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York.[2] While in college, he became a member of the Sigma Phi fraternity, and he won the college's first prize for declamation during his junior year.[1] He studied law with Judge Horace S. Griswold of Binghamton and was admitted to the bar in 1855.[2] In 1857 he received his Master of Arts degree from Hamilton.[2]
Legal and business career
Walker practiced in Owego, New York, from 1855 to 1859, and in Chicago from 1859 to 1864.[2] He moved to Norfolk, Virginia, in 1864 and practiced law.[2] Walker also became involved in finance and served as president of Norfolk's Exchange National Bank.[2] His other business ventures included serving on the board of directors of the American Fire Insurance Company of Norfolk.[2] In 1866, he was an original incorporator of the Norfolk Insurance and Trust Company.[9] Walker was also a director of the Atlantic Iron Works and Dock Company and served as its president from 1866 to 1869.[2] Walker was president of Richmond, Virginia's Granite Insurance Company from 1874 to 1878 and editor and publisher of the Richmond Enquirer from 1874 to 1875.[1]
Political career
Walker served as Governor of Virginia from 1869 to 1874.[3] He also served as a Democrat in the Forty-fourth and Forty-fifth Congresses (March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1879).[3] In the Forty-fourth Congress, he was chair of the Committee on Education and Labor.[10] He did not stand for reelection in 1878.[3]
Later years
Walker resettled in Binghamton, New York, in 1879 and resumed his legal practice.[2] He moved to New York City in 1881, where he continued practicing law.[2] Walker remained active in business ventures, including serving as president of the New York Underground Railroad Company.[3]
Death and burial
Family
In 1857, Walker married Olive E. Evans of Binghamton.[2]
Electoral history
- 1869; Walker was elected Governor of Virginia with 54.15% of the vote, defeating fellow Republican Henry H. Wells.
- 1874; Walker was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives with 55.33% of the vote, defeating Republican Rush Bargess and Independent R.A. Paul.
- 1876; Walker was re-elected with 53.64% of the vote, defeating Republican Charles S. Mills.
Notes
- Several editions of the Congressional Biographical Directory indicate Walker was born in South Gibson, Pennsylvania.[3] Primary source documents including U.S. and state census entries[4] and U.S. passport applications[5] indicate that Walker was born in New York state. The 1855 New York State Census indicates he was born in Broome County, New York, which includes Binghamton.[6] Most secondary sources indicate that he was born in Binghamton.[1] One indicates he was born in Cuba, New York.[2] These details indicate a definite birth in New York state, with the most likely locale being Binghamton.