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Walter W. Preston (January 14, 1863 – July 12, 1951) was an American politician and judge from Maryland. He served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Harford County from 1888 to 1891.

Early life

Walter W. Preston was born on January 14, 1863, on a farm on Deer Creek in Harford County, Maryland, to Mary A. (née Wilks) and James B. Preston. His father was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates. He attended St. John's College in 1877, but transferred to Princeton University. He graduated from Princeton in 1881 with a Bachelor of Arts. He later received a Master of Arts. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1883. He was admitted to the bar in 1883. He was the brother of Baltimore mayor James H. Preston. His grand uncle was congressman Jacob A. Preston and his cousin was Army inspector general John F. Preston.

Career

After graduating, Preston started a law practice in Bel Air.

Preston was a Democrat. He served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Harford County from 1888 to 1891. In the 1890 session, he served as chair of the judiciary committee.

In 1891, Preston was elected as state's attorney in Harford County and served until 1895, serving two other terms. In 1920, Preston was appointed by Governor Albert Ritchie to succeed Judge McClean as judge of the Third Judicial Court. He served there for six years. He later became judge of the Circuit Court of Harford County after the retirement of Judge William M. Harlan.

Preston wrote The History of Harford County. In 1900, Preston organized the Savings Bank of Harford County (later the Commercial and Savings Bank of Bel Air). He retired in January 1949 as chairman of the board.

Personal life

Preston married Elizabeth "Lillie" (née Pue) Hall, daughter of Michael Edward Pue, on November 2, 1892. She was previously married to Thomas Hall. She was president-general of the Maryland branch of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. They had no children. She died in 1937. Preston was a vestryman at St. Mary's Episcopal Church.

Preston died on July 12, 1951, at his home in Emmorton. He was buried at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Emmorton.

References

1. ^ Portrait and Biographical Record of Harford and Cecil Counties, Maryland. 1897. pp. 390–391. Retrieved October 18, 2023 – via Archive.org.
2. "James B. Preston". The Baltimore Sun. December 21, 1902. p. 6. Retrieved March 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
3. ^ "Judge Preston Dies At 88 In Bel Air". The Evening Sun. July 12, 1951. p. 32. Retrieved March 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "Promoted to High Rank". The Aegis. July 17, 1931. p. 1. Retrieved March 30, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "Historical List, House of Delegates, Harford County". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. April 30, 1999. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
6. Lantz, Emily Emerson (January 26, 1908). "Maryland Heraldry". The Baltimore Sun. p. 17. Retrieved October 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Preston–Hall". The Aegis. November 4, 1892. p. 3. Retrieved October 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
8. ^ "Former State Leader Dies". The Baltimore Sun. July 13, 1951. p. 11. Retrieved March 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "Mrs. W. W. Preston Dies". The Evening Sun. February 9, 1937. p. 15. Retrieved March 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.

• 1863 births
• 1951 deaths
• Politicians from Harford County, Maryland
• Princeton University alumni
• University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law alumni
• Democratic Party members of the Maryland House of Delegates
• State's attorneys in Maryland
• Maryland state court judges
• 19th-century American lawyers
• 20th-century American lawyers
• 20th-century American judges
• 19th-century members of the Maryland General Assembly