Quick Facts
Biography
Samuel Hurd Walley (August 31, 1805 – August 27, 1877) was a Massachusetts businessman and politician who served as Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and as a member of the U.S. Representative from Massachusetts.
Early life
Walley was born in Boston, Massachusetts to Samuel Hall Walley and Miriam (Phillips) Walley. Walley was the grandson of William Phillips, Jr., Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts from 1812 to 1823.
Family
Walley was married twice. Walley married his first wife Mehetable Sumner Bates on October 14, 1829, they had ten children, Mehetable Walley died December 2, 1853. Walley's second wife was Ann Gray Hawes.
Education
Walley attended the common schools and Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts. Walley attended Yale College in 1822. Walley entered Harvard at the beginning of his sophomore year. Walley graduated from Harvard in 1826.
Business career
After he left college Walley studied law and was admitted to the Suffolk bar in 1831. Walley practiced in Boston and Roxbury.
Walley engaged in banking, he took a prominent part in the organization of the Suffolk Savings Bank. Walley was involved in the creation of the Revere National Bank, and from 1870 until his death he served as its first President.
Walley was involved in railroad development he was the Treasurer of the Vermont Central Railroad, treasurer of the Ogdensburg railroad and a promoter and first treasurer of the Wisconsin Central Railroad.
Political offices
Walley served as member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1836 and 1840–1846, serving as speaker 1844–1846. Walley served as a Corporate member of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions 1848–1867.
Walley was elected as a Whig to the Thirty-third Congress (March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1855). Walley was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1854 to the Thirty-fourth Congress. Walley was an unsuccessful Whig candidate for Governor of Massachusetts in 1855.
Death and burial
Walley died at Nantasket Beach, Massachusetts, on August 27, 1877. He was interred in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, Massachusetts.