John Walsh was born in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin from 1893 to 1895, beginning the practice of law later in the year at Kewaunee, Wisconsin. In 1898, he became judge of the Municipal Court in Kewaunee County, holding the post until 1901 when he moved to Washburn, Wisconsin. From 1915 to 1917 he was special counsel of the Federal Trade Commission and from 1917 to 1918 was its first chief counsel. During part of 1920 he was Special Assistant to the Attorney General. He was successful in suits that established the constitutionality of the Federal Trade Commission Act. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention and seconded the nomination of Woodrow Wilson and in 1936 of President Roosevelt at the Philadelphia Convention. He was a member of the American and Wisconsin Bar Associations, the American Academy of Political and Social Science, trustee of the Belleau Wood Memorial Association and director of the National Federation of Big Brothers and Big Sisters. He died on Monday, August 25, 1941 at the Walsh summer home at Lake McDonald in Montana from a heart ailment. He and his wife of 2311 Connecticut Avenue Northwest had recently traveled to Montana to visit their niece, Mrs. Genevieve Walsh Gudger. He was predeceased by his first wife, Ethel Walsh and his brother, Senator Thomas J. Walsh of Montana. Survivors included his wife, Edna J. Walsh; one daughter, Mrs. Augustus C. Long of Evanston, Illinois; two sisters, Mrs. Kate Wattawa and Sarah C. Walsh, both of Madison, Wisconsin; one brother, Felix Joseph Walsh of California; two nephews, John Wattawa, an attorney residing in the District of Columbia and Dana C. Walsh of California and nieces, Mrs. John H. Geisse of the District, Mrs. Gudger and Mrs. Raymond Birge of California, Virginia Wattawa and Mrs. S.A. Dalson of Madison, Wisconsin. Services were held at the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle. Interment was at Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Sources: The Evening Star, Tuesday, August 26, 1941 and Wednesday, August 27, 1941.


1920 US Census
Name: John Walsh
Age: 47
Birth Year: abt 1873
Birthplace: Wisconsin
Home in 1920: Washington, Washington, District of Columbia
Street: Euclid St
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Ethel A Walsh
Father's Birthplace: Ireland
Mother's Birthplace: Ireland
Able to Speak English: Yes
Occupation: Lawyer
Industry: Gen Practice
Employment Field: Own Account
Home Owned or Rented: Rent
Able to Read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
John Walsh 47
Ethel A Walsh 42
Elizabeth Walsh 14

1930 US Census
Name: John Walsh
Birth Year: abt 1873
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Wisconsin
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1930: Washington, Washington, District of Columbia
Map of Home: View Map
Street address: Connecticut Ave. N.W.
Ward of City: 8th Precinct
Block: 2541
Institution: Woodward Apartment
House Number in Cities or Towns: 2311
Dwelling Number: 1
Family Number: 12
Home Owned or Rented: Rented
Home Value: 150
Radio Set: Yes
Lives on Farm: No
Attended School: No
Able to Read and Write: Yes
Father's Birthplace: England
Mother's Birthplace: England
Occupation: Lawyer
Industry: General Practice
Class of Worker: Working on own account
John Walsh 57
Ethel G Walsh 51