KyGenWeb; Kentucky Biographies; HARKINS, Walter S.

Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 8-B, 1887
Floyd County

Walter S. HARKINS, lawyer, whose portrait is found in this work, is a native
of Prestonburg, Ky., born September 25, 1857, and is a grandson of Hugh
HARKINS and nephew of John HARKINS, deceased, a prominent lawyer of
Prestonburg before his death.  The HARKINS family came of the old
Pennsylvania stock.  The subject was reared in Prestonburg.  At an early age
he began to read law with Hampton & Hager, and was admitted to the Floyd
County bar in 1877.  At the age of twenty-three he was elected by a sweeping
majority to the office of county attorney, a position he filled with honor
to himself and to the satisfaction of the people.  This office is all he
ever filled.  Having turned his mind entirely to the profession, he has made
a success in every sense of the word.  His law office in Prestonburg is a
model of convenience and beauty, and is not surpassed in the State; it
contains a well selected library, including the Kentucky Supreme Court
reports and the United States Court reports as well as the best text books,
and costs $22,000.  He is what might be termed one of the most prosperous,
successful and energetic young attorneys of eastern Kentucky.  He was
married, November 17, 1880, to Miss Josie, daughter of Joseph M. Davidson,
deceased, who was one of the most prominent citizens of the Big Sandy
Valley, and who was born in Floyd County, June 24, 1837.  His father was
Samuel Davidson, from Virginia, and his mother was Judith Lackey, a daughter
of Gen. Alexander Lackey.  J. M. Davidson represented Floyd County with
marked ability four years, but had served as sheriff of the county before
that.  He was a shrewd and bright politician, and at the time of his death
in 1882, had the Democratic nomination for Congress in the Tenth District.
This marriage alliance connects Mr. HARKINS with one of the most ancient and
honorable families of northeastern Kentucky.  In politics Mr. HARKINS is a
stanch Democrat, and has a very lucrative law practice; that is entirely due
to his own energy and thorough business training. 

HARKINS Davidson Lackey

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