Walter W. Preston (January 14, 1863 – July 12, 1951) was an American politician and judge from Maryland. He served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Harford County from 1888 to 1891.
Walter W. Preston | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the Harford County district | |
| In office 1888–1891 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 14, 1863 Harford County, Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | July 12, 1951 (aged 88) Emmorton, Maryland, U.S. |
| Resting place | St. Mary's Episcopal Church Emmorton, Maryland, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Elizabeth "Lillie" Pue Hall
(m. 1892; died 1937) |
| Parent |
|
| Relatives | James H. Preston (brother) Jacob A. Preston (grand uncle) John F. Preston (cousin) |
| Education | St. John's College |
| Alma mater | Princeton University (BA, MA) University of Maryland School of Law (LLB) |
| Occupation |
|
Early life
editWalter W. Preston was born on January 14, 1863, on a farm on Deer Creek in Harford County, Maryland, to Mary A. (née Wilks) and James B. Preston. His father was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates.[1][2] He attended St. John's College in 1877, but transferred to Princeton University. He graduated from Princeton in 1881 with a Bachelor of Arts. He later received a Master of Arts. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1883. He was admitted to the bar in 1883.[1][3] He was the brother of Baltimore mayor James H. Preston.[3] His grand uncle was congressman Jacob A. Preston and his cousin was Army inspector general John F. Preston.[4]
Career
editAfter graduating, Preston started a law practice in Bel Air.[1]
Preston was a Democrat. He served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Harford County from 1888 to 1891.[5] In the 1890 session, he served as chair of the judiciary committee.[1][3]
In 1891, Preston was elected as state's attorney in Harford County and served until 1895, serving two other terms.[1][3] In 1920, Preston was appointed by Governor Albert Ritchie to succeed Judge McClean as judge of the Third Judicial Court. He served there for six years.[3] He later became judge of the Circuit Court of Harford County after the retirement of Judge William M. Harlan.[3]
Preston wrote The History of Harford County.[3] In 1900, Preston organized the Savings Bank of Harford County (later the Commercial and Savings Bank of Bel Air). He retired in January 1949 as chairman of the board.[3]
Personal life
editPreston married Elizabeth "Lillie" (née Pue) Hall, daughter of Michael Edward Pue, on November 2, 1892. She was previously married to Thomas Hall.[1][6][7][8] She was president-general of the Maryland branch of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. They had no children. She died in 1937.[8][9] Preston was a vestryman at St. Mary's Episcopal Church.[3]
Preston died on July 12, 1951, at his home in Emmorton.[3] He was buried at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Emmorton.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Portrait and Biographical Record of Harford and Cecil Counties, Maryland. 1897. pp. 390–391. Retrieved October 18, 2023 – via Archive.org.
- ^ "James B. Preston". The Baltimore Sun. December 21, 1902. p. 6. Retrieved March 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Judge Preston Dies At 88 In Bel Air". The Evening Sun. July 12, 1951. p. 32. Retrieved March 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Promoted to High Rank". The Aegis. July 17, 1931. p. 1. Retrieved March 30, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Historical List, House of Delegates, Harford County". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. April 30, 1999. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
- ^ Lantz, Emily Emerson (January 26, 1908). "Maryland Heraldry". The Baltimore Sun. p. 17. Retrieved October 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Preston–Hall". The Aegis. November 4, 1892. p. 3. Retrieved October 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Former State Leader Dies". The Baltimore Sun. July 13, 1951. p. 11. Retrieved March 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Mrs. W. W. Preston Dies". The Evening Sun. February 9, 1937. p. 15. Retrieved March 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
