University of Virginia Library

GILBERT CARLETON WALKER.

Gilbert Carleton Walker was born in Binghamton, New York,
August 1, 1832. After a preliminary course of tuition in Binghamton
Academy, he entered Williams College, Massachusetts, and
subsequently Hamilton College, New York, graduating from the latter
institution in July, 1854. Having studied law, he was admitted to the
bar in September, 1855, and commenced practice in Oswego, New York.
Entering politics, in 1858 he served as a member of the State Democratic
Convention. In 1859 he removed to Chicago, Illinois, continuing the
practice of his profession there and participating in politics. In 1864
he located in Norfolk, Virginia, and soon became the President of a

bank, the Exchange National, and also held other positions of honor
and trust. He subsequently settled in the city of Richmond, and in
January, 1869, was elected, on the Liberal Republican ticket, Governor
of Virginia over Henry H. Wells by a majority of over 18,000 votes.
On the 21st of April following he was appointed, by General Canby,
Provisional Governor, to succeed General Henry H. Wells, the State
then not having been readmitted to the Union. He thus acted until
January 1, 1870, when he entered upon the regular gubernatorial
term, under the State Constitution of 1869, of four years, to which he
had been elected. He was succeeded, January 1, 1874, by General
James Lawson Kemper as Governor. In 1875 he was elected to the
Forty-fourth Congress from the Third District of Virginia, as a Conservative,
over Rush Burgess, Republican, and served as Chairman of the
Committee on Education and Labor. In 1877 Governor Walker was reelected
to the Forty-fifth Congress, as a Democrat, over Dr. Charles S.
Mills, Republican, and served on the Committee on the Revision of the
Laws of the United States. He was, in 1876, an aspirant for the
Democratic nomination of Vice-President of the United States, and it
was thought at one time that he had enlisted much support in the South.
He was for several years associated in the practice of law in Richmond
with General George J. Hundley, and was also the President of the
Granite Insurance Company, which he organized. In 1881, Governor
Walker removed to his native place, Binghamton, New York, and for
a time practiced his profession there. He is now located in New York
City, and enjoys there an extensive and lucrative law practice. In person
Governor Walker is highly prepossessing. His imposing stature, graceful
mien, finely chiselled features, and silvered head, render him
marked in a multitude. He is a pleasing speaker, and his personal advantages
enhance his powers over an audience. As a public speaker he
is effective and never fails to enchain attention and command applause.
He has also frequently proven himself an acceptable lecturer on literary
and scientific topics before educational institutions and other bodies.
There is a strikingly faithful portrait of Gov. Walker in the State Library
at Richmond.