Walter L. Durack

Durack was born on July 9, 1857 in New York City.[1] He was the son of Michael and Mary Durack.[2]

Durack attended New York University School of Law, graduating from there in 1885.[1] After graduating, he began to practice law in Brooklyn. He became identified with the building-loan associations in the city and state, and was president of the Metropolitan League of Saving and Loans Associations.[2] He was also prominent in real estate law and Torrens law. He formed a law partnership with James P. Judge in 1891 called Judge & Durrack. The practice dissolved in 1907, and he later practiced law with his son Walter L. Durack, Jr. He lived in Bay Ridge since around 1900.[3]

In 1892, Durack was elected to the New York State Assembly as a Democrat, representing the Kings County 16th District. He served in the Assembly in 1893.[4] He was elected a city magistrate at-large in 1901, but after serving for about a year the New York Court of Appeals ruled he and several others were not legally entitled to hold the position. In 1913, he unsuccessfully ran for County Clerk.[2]

In 1882, Durack married Selina Williamson. Their children were Selina A., Lucille, Walter L., Jr., and Victor J. He was a member of the Catholic Benevolent Legion, the Royal Arcanum,[2] and the Knights of Columbus.[3]

Durack died at home from a heart attack on December 14, 1918. He was buried in Green-Wood Cemetery.[2]

• The Political Graveyard
• Walter L. Durack at Find a Grave