Joseph H. Walker

For his son, Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, see Joseph H. Walker (Massachusetts speaker).

Joseph Henry Walker (December 21, 1829 – April 3, 1907) was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Worcester, Massachusetts.

Joseph Henry Walker
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts
In office March 4, 1889 – March 3, 1899
Preceded by	John E. Russell
Succeeded by	John R. Thayer
Constituency	10th district (1889–93) 3rd district (1893–99)
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
In office 1879–1880 1887
Personal details
Born	December 21, 1829 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	April 3, 1907(1907-04-03) (aged 77) Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Children	Joseph H. Walker[1]

Early life

Mrs Joseph H. Walker

He was born in Boston on December 21, 1829. He moved with his parents to Hopkinton and to Worcester. He attended the public schools and engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes. He was a member of the common council of Worcester 1852–1854; Walker established the business of manufacturing leather in Chicago, Illinois in 1868.

Career

He served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and was elected as a Republican to the Fifty-first and to the four succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1889 – March 3, 1899). He served as chairman of the Committee on Banking and Currency (Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Congresses). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1898 to the Fifty-sixth Congress.

Death

Walker resumed his former business pursuits, and died in Worcester on April 3, 1907. His interment was in the Rural Cemetery. Walker Hall at Worcester Academy is named in his honor for service to the Academy, where he served for 35 years as second president of the board of Trustees and as a devoted benefactor. The Academy owns a large painting of Walker by noted American portrait painter Edwin Tryon Billings. That painting hangs in Walker Hall. A marble bust of Walker, created by famous American sculptor Randolph Rogers, is also on display in the Academy's Alumni House.