Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

more thorough training, but receiving a
very flattering offer from a school in Port-
chester, New York, did not remain to be
graduated. The young man's genial personality
and habits of careful study com-
bined to make him a beloved as well as
a successful teacher, and he was held in
warmest regard by parents, children, and
friends. During the entire period of his
work along this line, he made his influence
felt throughout the community in
upholding high standards among the
children under his care. Still in all his
young manhood, he was constantly looking
forward, seeking from the future some
higher, broader field of usefulness. Char-
acteristically, while still teaching school,
he took up the study of law under the
direction of Col. H. W. R. Hoyt, then
and for many years thereafter, a prominent
and successful attorney at Green-
wich, Connecticut. Colonel Hoyt saw a
brilliant future before the young man, appreciating
to the full his analytical temperament
and his capacity for seeing both
sides of a question. He frankly encouraged
him to drop the work of teach-
ing and devote all his time to preparation
for the practice of the law. He gave the
young man such assistance as was most
practical—remunerative work in his own
office, together with help in professional
study.
Mr. Walsh was admitted to the Fair-
field county bar, and immediately there-
after taken into partnership with Colonel
Hoyt, the experienced man giving gen-
erously of the ripened fruits of his years
of practice, in the form of advice. With
unflagging zeal the young man threw
himself into the work he had chosen, and
while he never failed in his loyalty to
the man who had smoothed his way, still
his native diligence and indomitable courage
gave him the personal power without
which no real success can be achieved.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
440
Notwithstanding his deep appreciation of
the assistance of Colonel Hoyt, in 1882,
Mr. Walsh desiring absolute freedom of
action and purpose, opened his own law
offices in the town of Greenwich.
Gifted with an unusually pleasing personality,
an outgrowth of a wholesome
optimism and a ready sympathy with his
kind, he won and held the confidence of
the people, and soon came to be regarded
as one of the really big men of the town.
He was not permitted to confine his
public appearance to the court room. His
cool judgment and invincible logic were
needed in the public service, and it was
inevitable that the Republican party, with
which he was closely affiliated, should
make him a leader. He gave of his talents
in this work, as in every branch of activ-
ity, without stint of self-consideration,
bringing all the force of his nature to bear
in the advancement of what he considered
the right.
During the presidential campaign of
1880, he took the stump for Garfield and
Arthur, and this was the beginning of a
long and brilliant public career. In this
same year he was elected to the Repub-
lican State Central Committee for the
Twelfth Senatorial District of Connecti-
cut, which honor he held for nine years,
until his duties as judge led him to rej
I
sign. He again took the stump during
the campaign of 1884, doing eloquent and
forceful work in support of Blaine and
Logan. The success of the opposing
party in the presidential election in no
way weakened his allegiance to Repub-
lican principles, and before the close of
the year he was nominated by the Repub-
licans of the twelfth district as their candidate
for the State Senate. There was
great enthusiasm among the voters of the
district, and he was elected by a very
large majority, running far ahead of his
ticket. He was made secretary of the