This gentleman so well and favorably known throughout Texas, and identified with public affairs, is essentially a "self-made-man." He is still a comparatively young man, and if the past is to be taken as indicative of the future, a brilliant and enviable career awaits him. Walter Gresham was born in Kings and Queens county, Virginia, and came to Texas in 1866, settling in Galveston on the last day of that year. His father was Edward Gresham, and his mother Isabella Mann. He received every advantage in the way of education, having gone through the University of Virginia, in both literary and law departments.

         Although very young at the breaking out of the war, he enlisted as a soldier in the Confederate cause, joining "Lee's Rangers;" he afterwards served in Company "H," in the 24th Virginia Cavalry.

         Mr. Gresham came to Galveston a young lawyer, with nothing but his education, his pluck and determination to win, a stranger. His early days were a hard struggle; but talent is never long without proper appreciation in an intelligent community, and when conjoined with certain other elements of success which this man possessed in an eminent degree, it is only a matter of time and opportunity when it will assert itself successfully. The bar at Galveston at that time contained many brilliant men; there were Ballinger, Jack, Mott, Sherwood, Royal T. Wheeler, Frank Spencer, George Mann, and others, contact with whose intellect sharpened the wits, and stimulated the energies of the aspiring young solicitor. He devoted himself heart and soul to the study of the law, the methods of practice, the rulings, etc., and posted up on decisions and precedents. In a short time he was recognized as a "foeman worthy of the steel" of the ablest among his distinguished confreres. The possession of qualities which eminently fitted him for the position, legal ability, sterling integrity, a genial and winning manner, was soon recognized by the bar and the people; he begun to make himself felt and feared as an opponent, and was successful in his pleadings. At the instigation of many of the older members of the bar, he became a candidate for District Attorney. He was elected in 1872 to that responsible position, and served three years. He left the office with an excellent record. He represented his constituents in the Twentieth Legislature. Here, too, he made a brilliant record, taking a leading part in all important measures, and aided in shaping many of the wise and much-needed laws that were enacted by that body. He was placed on the most important committees, and served as chairman of that of Ways and Means. It is needless to say Mr. Gresham is a Democrat.

         The judicious investment of his earnings at a time when the growth of Galveston was unprecedented, the purchase of outlying lots, and the subsequent purchase of what was called "wild-lands," has made Mr. Gresham a rich man. He early took an active interest in railroad projects, being, we believe, one of the prime movers in the building of the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe road. He invested in stocks. The road became a pay-investment, and thus augmented his already large fortune. He became a director of, and soon thereafter, the Second Vice President of the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe railroad.

         Mr. Gresham is short of stature, being five feet, eight inches in height, with blue eyes, and light brown hair. He is slightly inclined to corpulence, and weighs 170 pounds.

         He does not believe in secret orders, and is not a member of any of the many organizations of the day.

         His wife, we believe, is a kinsman distantly removed, bearing his mother's maiden name, Mann. In 1869 he was married to Miss Josephine C. Mann, of Galveston, a sister of Hon. George Mann. They have seven children,—Essie, Josephine, Walter, T. D., Frank S., Beulah, and Philip.

             Mr. Gresham resides in his elegant home, the fruits of his unaided labors, surrounded by a happy young family, to whom he is devoted, and is universally esteemed by a large circle of friends.