Walter Smith Gedney (October 31, 1880 – August 17, 1953) was an American lawyer and politician from New York.

Walter S. Gedney
Member of the New York State Assembly
In office
1924–1929
Preceded byJames Farley
Succeeded byFred R. Horn Jr.
Personal details
Born
Walter Smith Gedney

(1880-10-31)October 31, 1880
Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
DiedAugust 17, 1953(1953-08-17) (aged 72)
Hudson, New York, U.S.
Resting placeOak Hill Cemetery
Political partyRepublican
Alma materNyack High School
New York University School of Law
ProfessionPolitician, lawyer

Life

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Gedney was born on October 31, 1880, in Peoria, Illinois. He moved to Nyack, New York, with his father when he was 2.[1]

Gedney graduated from Nyack High School in 1895 and the New York University School of Law in 1911. He practiced law in New York City for many years at 38 Park Row. He joined the Mazeppa Engine Company of Nyack in 1905, later serving as fire commissioner of Mazeppa for three years and as the company's delegate to the Hudson Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association for 15 years. He served as president of the New York State Volunteer Firemen's Association for two years, also serving as its attorney and chairman of the law committee. He moved to Hudson in 1938.[2]

Gedney served as police justice of Nyack from 1916 to 1919. In 1923, he was elected to the New York State Assembly as a Republican, representing Rockland County. He served in the Assembly in 1924,[3] 1925,[1] 1926,[4] 1927,[5] 1928,[6] and 1929.[7] When he initially ran in 1923, he defeated incumbent James Farley. While in the Assembly, he was a member of the Baumes Crime Commission.[2]

Gedney was a member of the Rockland County Republican county committee and president of the Nyack Republican club. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Order of United American Mechanics, the Elks, the Shriners, the Tall Cedars, and Master of his Freemason lodge.[1] He was a member of the Nyack Reformed Church.[2]

Gedney died at the New York State Firemen's Home in Hudson on August 17, 1953.[8] He was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery.[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Malcolm, James, ed. (1925). The New York Red Book. Albany, N.Y.: J. B. Lyon Company. pp. 98–99 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ a b c "Walter S. Gedney Dies at Firemen's Home in Hudson". Orangetown Telegram and the Pearl River Searchlight. Vol. 60, no. 34. Pearl River, N.Y. 20 August 1953. p. 1 – via HRVH Historical Newspapers.
  3. ^ Malcolm, James, ed. (1924). The New York Red Book. Albany, N.Y.: J. B. Lyon Company. p. 97 – via FamilySearch.
  4. ^ Malcolm, James, ed. (1926). The New York Red Book. Albany, N.Y.: J. B. Lyon Company. p. 101 – via FamilySearch.
  5. ^ Malcolm, James, ed. (1927). The New York Red Book. Albany, N.Y.: J. B. Lyon Company. p. 74 – via FamilySearch.
  6. ^ Malcolm, James, ed. (1928). The New York Red Book. Albany, N.Y.: J. B. Lyon Company. pp. 74–75 – via FamilySearch.
  7. ^ "Index to Politicians: Gayl to Gegax". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
  8. ^ "Walter S. Gedney" (PDF). The New York Times. Vol. CII, no. 34905. New York, N.Y. 18 August 1953. p. 23.
  9. ^ "Walter S. Gedney Funeral Services in Nyack Thursday". The Journal News. Vol. 64, no. 88. Nyack, N.Y. 18 August 1953. p. 1 – via Old Fulton NY Postcards.
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New York State Assembly
Preceded by New York State Assembly
Rockland County

1924–1929
Succeeded by