William Valk

William Weightman Valk (October 12, 1806 – September 20, 1879) was a soldier in the American Civil War and a U.S. Congressman.

William Valk
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 1st district
In office March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1857
Preceded by	James Maurice
Succeeded by	John A. Searing
Personal details
Born	October 12, 1806 Charleston, South Carolina
Died	September 20, 1879 (aged 72) Washington, D.C.
Political party	Know Nothing

In 1830, Valk earned a degree in medicine, graduating from the University of South Carolina at Columbia in 1830. He opened a practice in Connecticut. He joined the Navy during the Mexican–American War and became chief surgeon on the USS Constellation. Valk joined the California Gold Rush in 1849 and, upon failure, opened a practice on Long Island. From March 4, 1855, to March 3, 1857, Valk served in New York's 1st District in the United States House of Representatives.

Finally settled in Flushing, New York, and continued the practice of medicine until elected to Congress. He was elected as a candidate serving in New York's 1st District, as a member of the American Party to the Thirty-fourth Congress (March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1857). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection. Upon the breakout of Civil War, he volunteered as chief surgeon of the 2nd Maryland (USA) Volunteer Infantry of the Union Army. He later became a pension office clerk in Washington, D.C. He was interred in Flushing Cemetery.

References

• United States Congress. "William Valk (id: V000007)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2009-04-24
• William Valk at Find a Grave Retrieved on 2014-06-25

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.