C. Harding Walker

Cyrus Harding Walker (January 27, 1859 – February 23, 1934) was an American lawyer and Democratic politician. First elected to the Virginia Senate in 1898 after a brief stint in the House of Delegates, he went on to serve in this body for the next two decades. For the last five years of his tenure as the 34th district's senator, he was the President pro tempore of the Senate of Virginia.

C. Harding Walker
President pro tempore of the Senate of Virginia
In office January 13, 1915 – January 14, 1920
Preceded by	Edward Echols
Succeeded by	Saxon W. Holt
Member of the Virginia Senate from the 34th district
In office December 6, 1899 – January 14, 1920
Preceded by	John E. Mason
Succeeded by	Thomas J. Downing
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates for Northumberland and Westmoreland
In office December 1, 1897 – December 6, 1899
Preceded by	Malcolm A. Coles
Succeeded by	George J. Gouldman
Personal details
Born	Cyrus Harding Walker January 27, 1859 Northumberland, Virginia, U.S.
Died	February 23, 1934 (aged 75) Heathsville, Virginia, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Mary Rosa Starke
Alma mater	University of Virginia

Early life and education

Walker was born in Northumberland County, Virginia on January 27, 1859. He was the third child of William Wright Walker, an attorney, and Clara Rebecca Walker (née Harding). He received a law degree from the University of Virginia; while there, he was a member of the Eta chapter of the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. Remaining active in the affairs of the school up until his death, he served on its Board of Visitors from 1917 to 1934 and as the rector from 1922 to 1930.

Career

Delegate Walker, 1897

From 1883 to 1893, after graduating from law school, Walker taught at Davis Military School in North Carolina.

After being elected on the Democratic ticket in 1897 to the Virginia House of Delegates, Walker served one full two-year term, representing Northumberland and Westmoreland counties. As was typical in the late nineteenth to early twentieth century, the Democrats had an overwhelming majority in the state's legislature.

In 1898, Harding was elected to the Virginia Senate for the 34th district, which was then composed of King George, Richmond, Westmoreland, Northumberland, and Lancaster. By then a leader in local politics, he was elected to participate in the 1901-1902 Virginia Constitutional Convention. With the death of former lieutenant governor and then-senior senator Edward Echols, the office of President pro tempore was vacant. Walker was elected by his peers to take Echols's place.

Personal life

Walker married Mary Rosa Starke in 1887. The couple had two sons, Henry and George, and one daughter, Marie. Their historic home, Oakley, in Heathsville is on the National Register of Historic Places.

References

• A History of Virginia Conventions (PDF). Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press. 2011. p. 103. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
• Manual of the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia. Philadelphia: Avil Printing Company. 2011. p. 162. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
• Report of the Virginia State Library, Volumes 13-15. Richmond: Virginia State Library. 1918. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
• Dodson, E. Griffith (1939). The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 1919-1939: Register. Richmond: Virginia State Library. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
• Semi-Centennial Register of the Members of the Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Philadelphia: Avil Printing Company. 1900. p. 162. Retrieved May 31, 2013.

External links

• C. Harding Walker at The Virginia Elections and State Elected Officials Database Project, 1776-2007