John Walsh Biography


	This biography appears on pages 666-669 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				JUDGE JOHN WALSH. 

	John Walsh, judge of the municipal court of Lead, is a highly 
esteemed representative of the legal profession and has enjoyed a large 
practice in that locality, especially in milling law, as he was in his 
early manhood a miner and thus understands mining conditions. He was 
born in Chicago, Illinois, February 1, 1866, a son of John and 
Anastasia (McInerney) Walsh, natives of New York state and Ireland 
respectively. The father was taken by his parents to Illinois at an 
early date in the history of that commonwealth. In 1871 the family 
removed to Yankton, Dakota territory, where Mr. Walsh of this review 
received his elementary education, and after their removal to Lead in 
1880 supplemented the knowledge previously acquired in the schools of 
that city. As soon as he was old enough he became a miner and followed 
that occupation for a number of years, working in the Black Hills anti 
in other mining districts in the west. While in Butte, Montana, he met 
with an accident that caused him to abandon mining. Returning to Lead, 
he was elected police judge in 1898, and so ably did he fill the 
position that he was reelected for four more terms of two years each. 
In 1906 he resigned to accept a government appointment at Washington, 
D. C., under the patronage of Congressman Burke. He held that position 
until in 1909 and in the intervening period employed his spare time in 
studying law at the National University of Washington, where in 1909 he 
received the degrees of LL. B. and LL. D. 

	In February of that year Mr. Walsh was admitted to the bar of the 
District of Columbia and on the 27th of October of the same year he was 
admitted to the bar of South Dakota. In the meantime he had returned to 
Lead and immediately began the practice of his profession. His 
practical knowledge of mining has been of great benefit to him and he 
has become known as a specialist in mining law and has gained a 
lucrative practice along that line. He also has a large general 
clientage. His mental vigor and sound judgment enabled him to use 
effectively his legal knowledge and the court records show that he has 
won a large percentage of the eases in which he has appeared as 
counsel. On the 27th of April, 1915, Mr. Walsh was elected judge of the 
municipal court for a four year term and entered upon the duties of 
that office May 3. He is a member of the Lawrence County Bar 
Association, the Black Hills Bar Association and the South Dakota State 
Bar Association. He is financially interested in a number of mining 
companies and in several concerns is a director and administrative 
officer. 

	Mr. Walsh is a republican in his political belief and has always 
been active in party affairs, exerting considerable influence in local 
republican circles. He is often consulted as to the best policy to 
pursue in a political crisis. Fraternally he belongs to Lead Lodge, No. 
747, B. P. O. E. Practically all of his life has been spent in Lead and 
he is leaving an indelible impression upon its history, for he realizes 
that the interests of the city are his interests. His life has been 
such as to command respect and he is highly esteemed in Lead and the 
surrounding country.