James Walter Wall

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James Walter Wall (May 26, 1820 – June 9, 1872) was a US Senator from New Jersey during the American Civil War. He was the son of US Senator Garret Dorset Wall.

Born in Trenton, New Jersey, he was tutored privately in Flushing, New York, and graduated from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in 1838. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1841 and commenced practice in Trenton. Served as commissioner in bankruptcy.

He moved to Burlington, New Jersey in 1847, and was elected mayor in 1850; was nominated for the Democratic nomination for Congress in 1850, but declined. He was an unsuccessful candidate for election in 1854 to the Thirty-fourth United States Congress, but was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of John R. Thompson and served from January 14 to March 3, 1863. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection.

He resumed the practice of law in Burlington; also engaged in literary pursuits. He moved to Elizabeth, New Jersey in 1869, where he died, aged 52; he was interred in the churchyard of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Burlington, New Jersey.

[edit] Bibliography

• Wall, James W. The Constitution: Originating in Compromise, It Can Only Be Preserved by Adhering to Its Spirit, and Observing Its Every Obligation. Philadelphia: King & Baird, 1862
• Wall, James W. Speeches for the Times by Hon. James W. Wall, of New Jersey. New York: J. Walter & Co., 1864.

Preceded by Richard S. Field

United States Senator (Class 1) from New Jersey 1863 Served alongside: John C. Ten Eyck

Succeeded by William Wright

This article incorporates facts obtained from the public domain Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.