Joseph H. Walker (Massachusetts speaker)

Walker was born on July 13, 1886 in Worcester, Massachusetts to Joseph H. Walker and Hannah M. (Kelly) Walker.[1] His father was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1893 to 1899.[2]

Walker earned degrees from Phillips Exeter Academy, Brown University, Harvard College, and Harvard Law School. He was admitted to the Suffolk County bar in 1889.[1]

Walker was a member of the Brookline School Committee from 1897 to 1903. He also served on the Town Committee and was a Republican State Committeeman.[1]

In 1904 Walker was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He served as chairman of the House Rules, Ways, and Means Committee, the special State Accounts Committee, and the Railroads Committee. In 1909 he was elected Speaker of the House.[1]

Walker was a candidate for Governor of Massachusetts in 1911, but lost the Republican nomination to Lieutenant Governor Louis A. Frothingham.[3] He ran again in 1912, but lost in the general election to Governor Eugene Foss.[4] He ran a third time in 1914 as a member of the Progressive Party. He finished in third place with 7.02% of the vote.[5]

Walker died on November 26, 1941 at the Phillips House of the Massachusetts General Hospital.[6]

• 130th Massachusetts General Court (1909)
• 131st Massachusetts General Court (1910)