Gilbert Carlton Walker

Gilbert Carlton Walker (born August 1, 1833 in South Gibson , Susquehanna County , Pennsylvania , † May 11, 1885 in New York City ) was an American politician and governor of the state of Virginia from 1869 to 1874 . Between 1875 and 1879 he represented his state in the US House of Representatives .

Early years and political advancement

Gilbert Walker attended Hamilton College in Clinton until 1854 . After studying law, he was admitted to the bar in 1855. Between 1855 and 1859 he practiced this profession in Owego, New York State, and then until 1864 in Chicago . There he ran a law firm.

In 1864, Walker moved to Norfolk , Virginia, where he continued to practice law. He also founded the Exchange National Bank there . At that time he was a member of the Republican Party . On September 21, 1869, he was appointed to replace the resigned Provisional Governor Henry H. Wells .

Governor of Virginia

First, Walker had to end Wells' term as Provisional Governor. During this time, Walker resigned from his party and became a member of the Democrats . As their candidate, he was elected Virginia's first regular governor after the Civil War in the fall of 1869 . He held this office until January 1, 1874. During this time, Virginia's educational system was reformed and conditions in penal institutions and mental hospitals improved. The governor also worked to reduce the national debt and proposed the sale of the state's shares in railway companies. Otherwise, Virginia was still suffering from the aftermath of the Civil War and reconstruction policies . On January 26, 1870, the state was again allowed to send representatives to the US Congress . Thus Virginia was admitted back to the Union.

Walker as a congressman

In the congressional election of 1874, Gilbert Walker was elected to the US House of Representatives. After being re-elected two years later, he was able to exercise this mandate between March 4, 1875 and March 3, 1879. For the first two years in Congress he chaired the Committee on Education and Labor. In 1878, he did not apply for another term.

Another résumé

In 1879 he moved first to Binghamton and two years later to New York City. He worked as a lawyer in both cities. He died on May 11, 1885 and was buried in Binghamton. Gilbert Walker was married to Olive Evan.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME	Walker, Gilbert Carlton
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician
DATE OF BIRTH	August 1, 1833
PLACE OF BIRTH	South Gibson , Pennsylvania
DATE OF DEATH	May 11, 1885
Place of death	New York City