Walter Clark (judge)

Walter McKenzie Clark
Born August 19, 1846
Halifax County, North Carolina
Died May 20, 1924(1924-05-20) (aged 77)
Resting place Oakwood Cemetery[1]
Raleigh, North Carolina
Education University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Occupation Judge, Lawyer, Politician
Spouse(s) Susan Washington Graham
Military career
Allegiance  Confederate States of America
Service/branch  Confederate States Army
Rank Lt Colonel (CSA)
Unit 22nd North Carolina Infantry
35th North Carolina Infantry
70th North Carolina Infantry
Commands held 6th Battalion, North Carolina Junior Reserves
Battles/wars American Civil War

Walter McKenzie Clark (August 19, 1846 – May 20, 1924) was a North Carolina politician and attorney who served as an associate justice (1889–1903) and chief justice (1903–1924) of the North Carolina Supreme Court.

Biography

Clark was born in Halifax County, North Carolina to General David Clark and Anna M. Thorne.[2] He served as an officer in the Confederate States Army, in the 22nd and 35th North Carolina Infantry regiments during the American Civil War before enrolling at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After graduating first in his class in 1864, he returned to the war as commanding officer of the 6th Battalion, North Carolina Junior Reserves. The battalion was quickly integrated into the 1st Junior Reserves Regiment, also known as 70th North Carolina Infantry Regiment, of which he became the lieutenant colonel. In the 1870s, Clark moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, practiced law, and wrote books on law and history. Clark was married on 27 January 1875 to Susan Washington Graham, daughter of William Alexander Graham.

In April 1885, Governor Alfred M. Scales appointed Clark a judge of the superior court, and in 1889, Gov. Daniel G. Fowle elevated him to the state Supreme Court. He was elected to the Supreme Court in 1890, and in 1894, was re-elected with the support of not only his own Democratic Party, but also that of the Republicans and Populists.

Clark was elected chief justice in 1902 and re-elected several times. In 1912, he unsuccessfully ran for the United States Senate as a liberal reformer against fellow Democrat Furnifold Simmons. Clark died in office in 1924.

Legal offices
Preceded by
David M. Furches		 Chief Justice of North Carolina Supreme Court
1903 - 1924		 Succeeded by
William A. Hoke

References

  1. ↑ "Judge Walter McKenzie Clark". Find A Grave. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  2. ↑ Prominent People of North Carolina: Brief Biographies of Leading People for Ready Reference Purposes. Asheville, NC: Evening News Pub. Co. 1906. p. 2.
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