Madison-Lauderdale County AlArchives Biographies.....Walker, Richard Wilde February 16, 1823 - June 16, 1874
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Carolyn Golowka http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00012.html#0002972 June 15, 2006, 4:04 pm

Author: Alabama:  Her History, Resources, War REcord, and Public Men From 1540 to 1872," by Willis Brewer, published 1872, pages 355-356

Richard Wilde Walker, brother of the foregoing [Leroy Pope Walker], is also a 
native and resident of this county [Madison].  He was born Feb. 16, 1823, and 
was educated at Spring Hill College, Mobile, the University of Virginia, and 
Princeton.  Graduating at the latter in 1841, he returned, read law, and was 
licensed in 1844.  Locating in Florence, he was elected district solicitor in 
1845 over the incumbent E. A. O’Neal, esq., of Lauderdale.  This position he 
resigned three years later.  In 1851 he was elected to the legislature from 
Lauderdale, and in 1853 was nominated by his party for governor, but made no 
contest.  He again represented Lauderdale in 1855, when he was chosen to 
preside over the house.  In June 1859 he was appointed by Gov. Moore a judge of 
the supreme court to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Rice, 
and at the succeeding session of the legislature was elected to the same office 
for a full term.  While filling this place he was selected by the 
constitutional convention as a delegate for the State at large to the 
provisional congress, in which he served a year.  In 1863 he was elected a 
senator in the Confederate congress to succeed Hon. C. C. Clay, and entered on 
his new duties in February thereafter.  He was thus engaged when the downfall 
of the confederacy respited him to private life, from which he has not since 
emerged.  At the close of the war between the States he again made Madison his 
home, and is now devoting himself to his profession, associated with Hon. James 
Robertson.

Judge Walker is frail in physical structure, with a dark complexion, and Hebrew 
cast of features.  In the social circle he is noted for the quiet and 
unostentatious urbanity of his manner.  As a lawyer he has few equals, bringing 
to bear on the abstract principles of his profession patient and unremitting 
study, intense thought, and a logical mind.  As an advocate he wins rather by a 
thorough mastery of his subject, and the clearness and fairness of his 
propositions, than by vehement manner.  As a jurist his decisions evince 
research and profound legal erudition.  Nor are his literary attainments 
disproportioned to his professional lore.  To these are added a purity of 
morals, and an elevation of sentiment which alone are needed to finish the 
portrayal of one of the most distinguished sons of the State.  He married a 
daughter of Mr. John Simpson, one of the most respected citizens of Lauderdale.


Additional Comments:
Richard Wilde Walker was born to John Williams Walker (1789-April 23, 1823) and 
Matilda Pope in Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama.  He married Mary Ann 
Simnpson June 18, 1845 in Lauderdale County, Alabama, married by Jeptha 
Simpson, MG.

In the 1850 census, son Simpson was a year old.  Also with them were Clifton 
Walker, age 12, and Percy Walker, age 7.  These were the sons of Richard's 
brother, Leroy Pope Walker.  All were born in Alabama.

In the 1860 census, Lauderdale County, Richard and Mary are living with John 
Simpson, age 69, likely her father, and John Simpson, Jr., age 30.  With them 
are sons John S., age 10, Margaret P., age 8, and Richard W., Jr., age 3.



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