Walter W. Preston Explained

Walter W. Preston
State Delegate:Maryland
Term Start:1888
Term End:1891
Birth Date:14 January 1863
Birth Place:Harford County, Maryland, U.S.
Death Place:Emmorton, Maryland, U.S.
Resting Place:St. Mary's Episcopal Church
Emmorton, Maryland, U.S.
Relatives:James H. Preston (brother)
Jacob A. Preston (grand uncle)
John F. Preston (cousin)
Alma Mater:Princeton University (BA, MA)
University of Maryland School of Law (LLB)

Walter W. Preston (January 14, 1863 – July 12, 1951) was an American politician and judge from Maryland. He served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Harford County from 1888 to 1891.

Early life

Walter W. Preston was born on January 14, 1863, on a farm on Deer Creek in Harford County, Maryland, to Mary A. (née Wilks) and James B. Preston. His father was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates.[1] [2] He attended St. John's College in 1877, but transferred to Princeton University. He graduated from Princeton in 1881 with a Bachelor of Arts. He later received a Master of Arts. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1883. He was admitted to the bar in 1883.[1] [3] He was the brother of Baltimore mayor James H. Preston.[3] His grand uncle was congressman Jacob A. Preston and his cousin was Army inspector general John F. Preston.[4]

Career

After graduating, Preston started a law practice in Bel Air.[1]

Preston was a Democrat. He served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Harford County from 1888 to 1891.[5] In the 1890 session, he served as chair of the judiciary committee.[1] [3]

In 1891, Preston was elected as state's attorney in Harford County and served until 1895, serving two other terms.[1] [3] In 1920, Preston was appointed by Governor Albert Ritchie to succeed Judge McClean as judge of the Third Judicial Court. He served there for six years.[3] He later became judge of the Circuit Court of Harford County after the retirement of Judge William M. Harlan.[3]

Preston wrote The History of Harford County.[3] In 1900, Preston organized the Savings Bank of Harford County (later the Commercial and Savings Bank of Bel Air). He retired in January 1949 as chairman of the board.[3]

Personal life

Preston married Elizabeth "Lillie" (née Pue) Hall, daughter of Michael Edward Pue, on November 2, 1892. She was previously married to Thomas Hall.[1] [6] [7] [8] She was president-general of the Maryland branch of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. They had no children. She died in 1937.[8] [9] Preston was a vestryman at St. Mary's Episcopal Church.[3]

Preston died on July 12, 1951, at his home in Emmorton.[3] He was buried at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Emmorton.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Portrait and Biographical Record of Harford and Cecil Counties, Maryland . 1897 . 390–391 . . 2023-10-18.
  2. News: James B. Preston . 1902-12-21 . . 6 . . 2023-03-11.
  3. News: Judge Preston Dies At 88 In Bel Air . 1951-07-12 . The Evening Sun . 32 . . 2023-03-11.
  4. News: Promoted to High Rank . 1931-07-17 . . 1 . . 2024-03-30.
  5. Web site: Historical List, House of Delegates, Harford County . Maryland Manual On-Line . . 1999-04-30 . 2023-03-11.
  6. News: Maryland Heraldry . 1908-01-26 . Lantz . Emily Emerson . . 17 . . 2023-10-18.
  7. News: Preston–Hall . 1892-11-04 . . 3 . . 2023-10-18.
  8. News: Former State Leader Dies . 1951-07-13 . . 11 . . 2023-03-11.
  9. News: Mrs. W. W. Preston Dies . 1937-02-09 . The Evening Sun . 15 . . 2023-03-11.