| 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.
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]
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]
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]