Walter B. Beals
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The Honorable Walter B. Beals |
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| Justice of the Washington Supreme Court | |
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In office 1928 – 1951 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
July 21, 1876 St. Paul, Minnesota |
| Died | September 18, 1960 (aged 84) Olympia, Washington |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse(s) | Othilia Gertrude Carroll |
| Residence | Seattle, Washington |
| Alma mater | University of Washington School of Law, LLB |
| Occupation |
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Walter Burges Beals (born July 21, 1876 –died September 18, 1960) was an American judge who served on the Washington Supreme Court 1928-1946 and 1947-1951. He also served as Chief Justice of the Court from 1933-1935 and 1945-1946.
Watler B. Beals was born July 21, 1876 in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was the son of James Burrill and Katherine (McMillan) Beals and a descendant of Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island Colony. His family also included a chief justice of Rhode Island’s supreme court, a chief justice of Minnesota’s high court, and a senator from that state.
Beals attended public schools in St. Paul, graduating from high school in 1895. He began law studies under an attorney’s supervision, but ill health prompted his move to Bellingham, Washington. Within a year he became strong enough to work in a saw mill as a shingle weaver. In 1899, he entered the first class at the University of Washington School of Law (a classmate of Walter M. French and Vivian Carkeek), graduating with a bachelor of laws degree (LL.B.) in 1901.
Beals' first law practice was in partnership with Fred Rice Power. Upon the latter’s death, Beals continued to practice in Seattle. He became active in Republican affairs but did not seek public office.
A member of the Washington National Guard from 1909, Walter Beals rose from an infantry private to the rank of major. He entered the U. S. Army in August 1917, serving in the judge advocate’s division. Beals spent sixteen months in France and saw action in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive with American expeditionary forces. Promoted to lieutenant colonel and decorated with the Legion of Honour by France, he became one of the founders of the American Legion. Fluent in French, he remained in Europe for several months after the armistice as a liaison officer with the French government.
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