Walter J. Rush

Walter J. Rush

Walter J. Rush (April 22, 1871 – April 16, 1961) was a member of the Wisconsin State Senate. From 1929 to 1940, Rush represented the 24th district, which at the time included Taylor, Wood, and Clark counties.[1] Rush was associated with the Progressives of the La Follette family.[2][3][4][5]

Rush received his bachelor's degree from Valparaiso University. He then taught school and then received his law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1900. He then practiced law.[6]

Rush was district attorney of Clark County, Wisconsin from 1911 to 1918 and was a delegate to the 1928 Republican National Convention.[7] He later helped organize the Wisconsin Progressive Party. Rush was born in Waterford, Wisconsin and later resided in Neillsville, Wisconsin for over 60 years.[8][9]

In 1931, Rush was chosen as chairman of the legislative interim committee on banking.[10]

In January 1937, Rush narrowly won the post of president pro tempore of the Senate, with a vote of 17–16.[11] In 1937, Rush also served as chairman of the Senate committee on corporations and taxation.[12]

  1. ^ Wisconsin Deaths: Mrs. Inez Rush (Aug. 29, 1958), Milwaukee Sentinel.
  2. ^ J. C. Ralston, Republicans Will Control Both Houses of the State Legislature: GOP Puts 54 Into Assembly (Nov. 10, 1938), Milwaukee Journal
  3. ^ Associated Press, Committee Urges Passage of Inheritance Tax Bill (Mar. 9, 1929).
  4. ^ Governor Just a Vote Short in State's Senate (Nov. 5, 1936), Milwaukee Journal.
  5. ^ Associated Press, Whitewater Attorney Heads Progressives (Apr. 18, 1939).
  6. ^ Clark County Press (Neillsville, Wisconsin), Walter J. Rush-obituary, April 20, 1961
  7. ^ "Teacher Politicians in Wisconsin". Political Graveyard. Retrieved 2013-10-08.
  8. ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1937, Biographical Sketch of Walter J. Rush, pg. 32
  9. ^ "Former State Senator Is Dead". Janesville Daily Gazette. April 18, 1961. p. 9. Retrieved July 29, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  10. ^ Name Wilkie Counsel for Interim Body (Aug. 14, 1931), Milwaukee Sentinel.
  11. ^ Associated Press, Governor Wins Wisconsin Test (Jan. 14, 1937).
  12. ^ Governor Backs Commission Change; Hearings on Five-Man Board Arranged (Feb. 4, 1937), Milwaukee Journal.