Hiram Walden

Hiram Walden (August 21, 1800 – July 21, 1880) was an American businessman and politician from New York. He was most notable for his service as a United States Representative from 1849 to 1851.

Hiram Walden
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 21st district
In office March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1851
Preceded by	George A. Starkweather
Succeeded by	William W. Snow
Member of the New York State Assembly from Schoharie County
In office January 1, 1836 – December 31, 1836 Serving with Alvin Wilkins
Preceded by	John F. Hiller, Jonas Krum
Succeeded by	Philip Mann, Reuben Merchant
Town Supervisor of Wright, New York
In office 1846–1849
Preceded by	None (position created)
Succeeded by	Henry D. Rosekrans
Town Supervisor of Schoharie, New York
In office 1842–1844
Preceded by	John S. Brown
Succeeded by	Daniel Larkin
Personal details
Born	August 21, 1800 Pawlet, Vermont
Died	July 21, 1880(1880-07-21) (aged 79) Wright, New York
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Sophia Dominick (m. 1822-1880, his death)
Children	10
Occupation	Businessman Farmer
Military service
Allegiance	United States New York
Branch/service	New York Militia
Years of service	1830s-1840s
Rank	Major General
Commands	16th Division

Biography

Walden was born in Pawlet, Vermont on August 21, 1800.^[1] He attended the district schools of Pawlet and moved to Berne, New York in 1818.^[1] In 1821, he moved to the hamlet of Waldenville in what is now the town of Wright.^[1] Walden farmed and was involved in the manufacture of axes, a business he operated until it was destroyed in an 1846 fire.^[1][2]

He was a member of the New York State Assembly in 1836.^[3] In addition to his business interests, Walden was involved in the state militia and in 1839 he attained the rank of major general as commander of the 16th Division.^[4][5] He commanded the division until resigning in 1841.^[6] He was Schoharie's town supervisor from 1842 to 1844.^[7] When the town of Wright was created by separating it from Schoharie, Walden was Wright's first town supervisor, and he served from 1846 to 1849.^[8]

In 1848, Walden was the successful Democratic nominee for a seat in the United States House of Representatives.^[1] He served in the Thirty-first Congress (March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1851).^[9] During his House term, Walden was a member of the Committee on Invalid Pensions and chairman of the Committee on Patents.^[9] He was an unsuccessful candidate for re-nomination in 1850.^[1]

After leaving Congress, Walden was employed as an inspector in New York City's United States Custom House.^[1] After retiring, he was a resident of Waldenville until his death on July 21, 1880.^[1] He was buried at Berne and Beaverdam Cemetery (formerly Pine Grove) in Berne, New York.^[1]

Family

In 1822, Walden married Sophia Dominick (1803-1893), daughter of John Dominick and Margaretha Ball.^[10] They were the parents of 10 children, of whom eight lived to adulthood.^[11]

Miner (b. 1823)

Hiram Jr. (b. 1828)

John D. (b. 1833)

Moses P. (b. 1835)

Albert D. (b. 1837)

Sylvanus (b. 1839)

Isaac D. (b. 1841)

Elmina Edna (b. 1844)