William Bell WALTON, Congress, NM (1871-1939)

WALTON William Bell , a Representative from New Mexico; born in Altoona, Blair County, Pa., January 23, 1871; attended the public schools and South Jersey Institute, Bridgeton, N.J.; moved to New Mexico in 1891; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1893 and commenced practice at Deming, N.Mex.; member of the State house of representatives in 1901 and 1902; clerk of Grant County 1903-1906; delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1908; chairman of the New Mexico Democratic central committee in 1910; member of the New Mexico constitutional convention in 1911; served in the State senate 1912-1916; elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-fifth Congress (March 4, 1917-March 3, 1919); chairman, Committee on Expenditures in the Department of Justice (Sixty-fifth Congress); did not seek renomination, but was an unsuccessful candidate for election to the United States Senate in 1918; resumed the practice of law in Silver City, N.Mex.; elected district attorney of the sixth judicial district November 2, 1926; reelected in 1928 and served until 1932; continued the practice of law until 1934, when he retired from active pursuits; died in Silver City, N.Mex., April 14, 1939; interment in the Masonic Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present