Joseph H. Walker (Massachusetts speaker)

Joseph H. Walker
Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
In office 1909–1911
Preceded by	John N. Cole
Succeeded by	Grafton D. Cushing
Personal details
Born	July 13, 1865 Worcester, Massachusetts
Died	November 26, 1941 Boston, Massachusetts
Political party	Republican
Profession	Lawyer

Joseph H. 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, 1886 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 1893 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.^[1]

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.^[1]

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.^[1]

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]

References

1. "The New Speaker". Cambridge Tribune. January 9, 1909. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
2. Hall, J. Brainerd (January–December 1911). "Looking Down the Vista of Departed Years". Worcester Magazine. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
3. "Republican Contest Won by Frothingham, Democratic Ticket Again Headed By Gov. Foss". Boston Daily Globe. September 27, 1911. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
4. Number of Assessed Polls, Registered Voters and Persons who Voted in Each Voting Precinct at the State, City, and Town Elections.
5. Number of Assessed Polls, Registered Voters and Persons who Voted in Each Voting Precinct at the State, City, and Town Elections.
6. "Obituary". The Hartford Corrant. November 27, 1941.