The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1906-08-23
WILLIAM A. WALKER.

WILLIAM A. WALKER.
In the death of VIM. A. Walker,
whose demise occurred unexpectedly last
Monday afternoon at Knowlton hospital,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin loses one of her
best known and most widely esteemed
citizens. His was a successful career.
His success in life was built upon the
solid foundation of honesty and lntegrl-
ty. He was worthy mana man OF
character. His reputation as "A lawyer
and as a man was an enviable one, for
he obtained what he merited and merit
ed that which he attained. While II Is
matter of no great moment for a man
of real worth and character whether or
not he receive what he merits, 1t Is
essential to true happiness and perma-
nent success that he should merit what
he receives. And fortunate, indeed, Is
the career of him in whose life course
both conditions are fulfilled.
Mr. Walker was native of Grant
county, Wis. He was born on farm
near Platteville, Nov. r. 1850, He re-
celved common school education, and
at the age of sixteen learned to set type
in Platteville printing Office. Later he
entered the Platteville normal school,
from which institution he graduated IN
1870, when he was twenty years of age,
One wear later he came to ManltOwOc
to take charge of the principalship Of
the Third ward school, which position
he held for three years, when he was
elected as county superintendent OF
schools of this county, which office he
held for three years.
He met with marked success i'll the
school room and his success rs school
superintendent was equally pronounced.
While Mr. Walker was not self
taught man as an educator he was
self made man as far as his successes in
the realm of law and other fields of ac
tivity, in which he subsequently EN-
gagged were concerned
He read law during his incumbency
in the Office Of county superintendent.
He was admitted to the bar in 1877. In
the same year he was elected district
attorney of this county, which Office he
held for six years. In that Office he met
with distinguished success.
In the mean time his merits as demo
cratic politician had attracted state wide
attention, and in 1880 when he was but
thirty years Of age, he was chosen chair
man of the state central committee of
the democratic party, in which capacity
his marked executive ability contributed
much toward the subsequent success of
the state democracy
In 1888, shortly after the beginning Of
President Cleveland's first administra-
ton, Mr. Walker was appointed United
States district attorney of the Eastern
district of Wisconsin, which office he
held until 1889 During his incumbency
in the aforementioned Office he attained
signal distinction as a lawyer
During he last sixteen years Of his
life he was engaged in private practice.
His career illustrated the fact that
corporation lawyer may be clean,
honest, upright man.
Mr. Walkers comparatively untinely
passing will be deplored not only by the
legal fraternity of Milwaukee-w which
city was his home for the last twenty
years Of his but also by hundreds
of people of this city and county, who
had the pleasure of his wholesome
friendship or acquaintance.
In fraternal circles Mr.. Walker was
one of the most prominent figures in the
state. He is survived by his wife, seven
children and his aged mother