Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1901-04-19

national prominence faster than did .
Col. Walker. lie was elected president T,
of the Vermont Bar Association in ls,5. /
His address on that occasion was a mts-
terly review of the Dartmouth college
case aud of the variations that had been
made in the application OF the rriuci-
pies announced ia that decision since il
was made. Although he Was exceedingly
we'll grounded in the law generally he
seemed to have an intuitive knowledge
of TIE law of railways that was remarla-
bic, so much so that he was soon uni
versally conceded to be a master spirit
in that line. lie was man of remarla-
bic apparent health, strength and vigor
physically, which renders his sudden
death more shocking to his friends
Most men becoming absorbed in the
law gradually leave behind their socia-
bility and friendly natures, but this man
maintained and carried them along to
the day of his death as fresh and as
lively as they were in his younger days.
1t is sad to see such lives as Walker and
Barrett and Wilds interrupted and
ended in the midst of so much promise
for the future. This grouping aud asso-
citation of Col. Walkers, which no one
who knew the men can avoid making,
deepens the shade of sorrow that now
rests upon his native State, and especi-
ally upon those who knew and loved him
so we'll. The st. Adams Messenger says
concerning him:
Aldace +. Walker was born Nav II,
1912, in West Rutland, Vt. He was
educated at Kimball onion Academy.
Meriden, \. H., and at Middleburv col
lege, graduating in 1862. His legal
training was acquired after the war at
Columbia law school, New York city.
ln.Jnly, 1862, the year of his gradua-
ton from Middlebury college he enlisted
in Co. II, lst Art, 1lth Vt. Vols, aud
was elected first lieutenant. He after
ward became captain of Go. c, and Co.
ID, and subsequently was major and
Northumberland of the regiment. In
1864 he was hreveted lieutenant-colonel
for galantry at the battles of the
Ppiquan, Fishers Hill, and Cedar Creek.
and was mustered out in June. 1864,
with his regiment.
In 1869 he published book of war
"reminiscences entitled, "The Vermont
Brigade in the Shenandoah Valley"
lie was member of the Illinois com.
mandery of the Military Order of the
Loyal Legion, and had been president
of the Vermont Officers Association.
Aldace f. Walkers career at the bar
made him national reputation. He
was admitted to practice in 1867 in the
city of New York, and at first was
managing clerk for the law firm of
Strong and Shepard, having their office
at 80 Broadway. He became a member
of the firm in 1870. They were engaged
in general practice and did consider
able business, largely connected witt
railways. Important work was done by
MIR. Walker in obtaining land titles foi
the Spuyten Duyvil & Port Morris rail
way, connecting the Hudson River rail
road with the Harlem railroad from
Spuyten Duyvil to Mott Haven. Ii
1873 the firm was broken up by the
death of the senior partner, the Hon
Theron R. Strong, and Mr.. Walker re
moved to Rutland, becoming a member
of the law firm of Prout, Simons an(
Walker. They transacted a genera
$ business and We're the counsel of somt
4 important corporations, including many
banks and insurance companies and the
Rutland railroad, The Delaware & IIud
: son Canal Company, The Vermont s
Canada railroad, the bond-hOlders O
the Vermont Central railroad etc. Ii
, 1884 N. P. Simons withdrew from thu
firm and the name was changed tC
Prout and Walker and so remained I'M
til Mr.. Walker removed to Washington
in April, 1887.
Mr. Walker was Republican in poll
tics, and was a member of the state sen
; ate in 1928, being chairman of The
t judiciary committee. In 1887 he was
7 appointed by President Cleveland {
| member of the Interstate Commerce
Commission on the organization of that
body, being one of the two Republican
, members. He resigned in 1880, and be-
| came chairman of the Interstate Com
merce Railway Association composed OF
various railroad lines west of CHICAGO
with headquarters in that city. Subse
quently he became chairman of the
Western Traffic Association, similar
organization. He was afterward chair.
5 man Of the joint committee composed
of all roads north of the Ohio and be-
tween the Mississippi river and the sea
board. He resigned the latter Office in
December, 1898, and began the practice
of law in Chicago. His connection
with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe
railroad began in 1894 when he was APP
pointed receiver of the companys