Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

it absolutely impossible for it to do so, it
must develop into action. Having the
intention to acquire a knowledge of the
law he would not allow his work as a
stonecutter to frustrate that intention,
and, hard as he might be obliged to labor
during the day, his evenings were invariably
devoted to study. When he had
thoroughly mastered shorthand, Mr.
Walsh entered the office of H. H. Barber,
a well-known lawyer, who had established
a local paper called "The Democrat," and
of this Mr. Walsh became city editor.
Never neglecting the duties of the posi-
tion, he steadily pursued his legal stud-
ies, and in April, 1880, he was admitted
to the bar.
Entering immediately upon his chosen
career, Mr. Walsh practiced alone for the
ensuing twelve years. At the end of that
time he formed a partnership with James
T. Hubbell, under the firm name of Walsh
& Hubbell. In the years during which
he practiced alone he established, by
sheer force of native ability, thorough
equipment and unceasing devotion to
duty, a reputation, both with the profession
and the general public, which has
been the cornerstone of a career of brilliant
and well-merited success. During
the period of his partnership this reputation
increased and strengthened, and he
became a recognized leader of the Fair-
field county bar.
In June, 1913, the partnership was dissolved
by reason of the fact that Mr.
Walsh was then appointed by Governor
Baldwin judge of the Criminal Court of
Common Pleas, subsequently reappointed
by Governor Holcomb. This court has
both civil and criminal jurisdiction. His
career upon the bench, in the evidence
it furnished of his profound knowledge of
the law, his insight into the motives and
merits of men, and the judicial character
of his mind, constitute one of the most
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
461
interesting and instructive chapters in the
legal history of Fairfield county.
In the field of general public service,
unconnected with the law, Judge Walsh
has been equally prominent and useful,
and his activities have been many and
varied. He was a member of the commit-
tee having in charge the building of the
new Fairfield county court house at
Bridgeport, Connecticut, was a member
of the board of directors and building
committee of the Norwalk Hospital, and
was general counsel for the Norwalk
Bridge Construction Committee which
built the Washington street bridge.
From his youth Judge Walsh has taken
an active interest in politics, always as an
advocate of Democratic principles. In
the campaign of 1876, being then but nine-
teen years of age, he took the stump as
a champion of Tilden, and after he became
a voter, served for ten or twelve
years as registrar of voters for the First
District. For over fifteen years he was
a member of the State Central Committee,
and for about eight years served as its
chairman. He has been district delegate
to conventions without number, including
the national conventions in which Bryan
and Parker were nominated. For a number
of years he was prosecuting attorney
for the city of Norwalk, filling the office
in a manner highly satisfactory to all good
citizens.
Until his elevation to the bench, Judge
Walsh was for some years a director of
the Fairfield County Savings Bank. He
affiliates with the Benevolent and Protec-
tive Order of Elks, and his clubs are the
Catholic, the Norwalk, and the Norwalk
Yacht. Yachting is his favorite recrea-
tion, and during the season he spends the
greater part of his leisure time on his
boat.
Judge Walsh married, October 4, 1884,
Julia Finnegan, daughter of Dennis and