Joseph Walker (Massachusetts speaker) explained

Joseph Walker
Office:Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
Term Start:1909
Term End:1911
Predecessor:John N. Cole
Successor:Grafton D. Cushing
Title2:Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for the 2nd Norfolk District
Term Start2:1904
Term End2:1911
Predecessor2:Benjamin C. Dean
Successor2:John H. Sherburne / John A. Curtin
Birth Date:July 13, 1865
Birth Place:Worcester, Massachusetts
Party:Republican
Profession:Lawyer

Joseph Walker was a U.S. lawyer and politician who served as the Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1909 to 1911.

Early life

Walker was born on July 13, 1865, in Worcester, Massachusetts, to Joseph H. Walker and Hannah M. (Kelly) Walker.[1] His father was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1889 to 1899.[2]

Walker earned degrees from Phillips Exeter Academy, Brown University, Harvard College, and Harvard Law School. He was admitted to the Suffolk County bar in 1889.

Politics

Walker was a member of the Brookline School Committee from 1897 to 1903. He also served on the Town Committee and was a Republican State Committeeman.

In 1904 Walker was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He served as chairman of the House Rules, Ways, and Means Committee, the special State Accounts Committee, and the Railroads Committee. In 1909 he was elected Speaker of the House.

Walker was a candidate for Governor of Massachusetts in 1911, but lost the Republican nomination to Lieutenant Governor Louis A. Frothingham.[3] He ran again in 1912, but lost in the general election to Governor Eugene Foss.[4] He ran a third time in 1914 as a member of the Progressive Party. He finished in third place with 7.02% of the vote.[5]

Death

Walker died on November 26, 1941, at the Phillips House of the Massachusetts General Hospital.[6]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: The New Speaker. November 21, 2013. Cambridge Tribune. January 9, 1909.
  2. News: Hall. J. Brainerd. Looking Down the Vista of Departed Years. 16 June 2011. Worcester Magazine. January–December 1911.
  3. News: Republican Contest Won by Frothingham, Democratic Ticket Again Headed By Gov. Foss. https://web.archive.org/web/20121107031511/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/709522542.html?dids=709522542:709522542&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI. dead. November 7, 2012. 16 June 2011. Boston Daily Globe. September 27, 1911.
  4. Book: Number of Assessed Polls, Registered Voters and Persons who Voted in Each Voting Precinct at the State, City, and Town Elections . 1912 .
  5. Book: Number of Assessed Polls, Registered Voters and Persons who Voted in Each Voting Precinct at the State, City, and Town Elections . 1913 .
  6. News: Obituary. The Hartford Corrant. November 27, 1941.