Gilbert Carlton Walker (August 1, 1833 – May 11, 1885) was a United States political figure. 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.
Gilbert C. Walker | |
|---|---|
.jpg) 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 Binghamton, New York |
| Died | May 11, 1885 (aged 51) New York, New York |
| Resting place | Spring Forest Cemetery, Binghamton, New York |
| Political party | Republican (before 1870) |
| Other political affiliations | Democratic (after 1870) |
| Spouse | Olive E. Evans (m. 1857-1855, his death) |
| Alma mater | Hamilton College |
| Profession | Attorney |
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Early and family life
editWalker 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
editWalker 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
editWalker 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
editWalker 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
editWalker died in New York City on May 11, 1885.[2] He was buried at Spring Forest Cemetery in Binghamton.[3]
Family
editIn 1857, Walker married Olive E. Evans of Binghamton.[2]
Electoral history
edit- 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
edit- ^ 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.
References
edit- ^ a b c d Sigma Phi Fraternity (1891). Catalogue of the Sigma Phi. Boston, MA: T. R. Marvin & Son. p. 161 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Johnson, Rossiter, ed. (1904). The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans. Vol. X: Steb-Zueb. Boston, MA: The Biographical Society. p. Walker-Walker – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d e f Joint Committee on Printing, United States Congress (1928). Biographical Directory of the American Congress. 1774-1927. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 1658 – via Google Books.
- ^ "1850 United States Federal Census, Entry for Gilbert C. Walker". Ancestry.com. Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com LLC. 1850. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
- ^ "U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925, Entry for Gilbert C. Walker". Ancestry.com. Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com LLC. August 18, 1868. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
- ^ "1855 New York State Census, Entry for Gilbert C. Walker". Ancestry.com. Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com LLC. 1855. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
- ^ "Governor Walker". Wyoming Democrat. Tunkhannock, PA. August 4, 1869. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "1850 U.S. Federal Census, Entry for Donald Grant Family". Ancestry.com. Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com LLC. 1850. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
- ^ Virginia General Assembly (1867). Acts of the General Assembly of the State of Virginia Passed in 1866-67. Richmond, VA: James E. Goode. p. 664 – via Google Books.
- ^ U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor. "Past Chairmen and Ranking Minority Members". EdLabor.House.Gov. Washington, DC: U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved November 17, 2021.