Louisiana Governor. He was privately educated and became fluent in several languages. In 1807 he joined the Spanish Army in Mexico as a Lieutenant, and later served as headmaster of a Chihuahua military school. He returned to Louisiana during the War of 1812, joined the militia, took part in the Battle of New Orleans, and later attained the rank of Brigadier General. In the late 1820s Walker used an inheritance to purchase a cotton plantation, which he operated for the rest of his life. In the 1820s and 1830s he served several terms in both the Louisiana House of Representatives and Senate, and he was President of the state's 1845 constitutional convention. From 1845 to 1849 he was Louisiana's State Treasurer. In 1849 he was the successful Democratic nominee for Governor, and he served from January 1850 until resigning in January 1853. Walker was the first Governor to be inaugurated in Baton Rouge after it became the state capitol. He opposed the state constitution adopted after an 1852 convention and resigned in protest, afterwards returning to management of his plantation and refusing several attempts to nominate him for the US House of Representatives.
Louisiana Governor. He was privately educated and became fluent in several languages. In 1807 he joined the Spanish Army in Mexico as a Lieutenant, and later served as headmaster of a Chihuahua military school. He returned to Louisiana during the War of 1812, joined the militia, took part in the Battle of New Orleans, and later attained the rank of Brigadier General. In the late 1820s Walker used an inheritance to purchase a cotton plantation, which he operated for the rest of his life. In the 1820s and 1830s he served several terms in both the Louisiana House of Representatives and Senate, and he was President of the state's 1845 constitutional convention. From 1845 to 1849 he was Louisiana's State Treasurer. In 1849 he was the successful Democratic nominee for Governor, and he served from January 1850 until resigning in January 1853. Walker was the first Governor to be inaugurated in Baton Rouge after it became the state capitol. He opposed the state constitution adopted after an 1852 convention and resigned in protest, afterwards returning to management of his plantation and refusing several attempts to nominate him for the US House of Representatives.
Bio by: Bill McKern
Inscription
In Memory of Joseph Walker, born in New Orleans July 1, 1784, died in the Parish of Rapides January 21st, 1856, aged 71 Years 6 Months 21 Days. From the year 1822 until near the period of his death, he was engaged in the public service, having been frequently elected a member of the General Assembly of the State of which also he was Governor from Jan. 1850 to Jan. 1853. Whether as a Private Citizen, Legislator or Chief Magistrate, he won universal confidence and esteem and died respected and regretted by all who knew him.
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