Background
Watler B. Beals was born Friday, July 21, 1876 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He was the son of James Burrill and Katherine (McMillan) Beals and a descendant of Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island Colony.
Watler B. Beals was born Friday, July 21, 1876 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He was the son of James Burrill and Katherine (McMillan) Beals and a descendant of Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island Colony.
Beals attended public schools in Saint Paul, graduating from high school in 1895.
He also served as Chief Justice of the Court from 1933-1935 and 1945-1946. A Republican, Beals practiced law in Seattle and served in the army in World World War II before serving as a King County judge, a Washington State Supreme Court judge and Chief Justice. Judge Beals was the Presiding Judge at the International Military Tribunal I, 1946-1947.
He retired in 1951.
In his time, Judge Beals was the greatest private collector of manuscripts and books in the Pacific Northwest. 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. 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 law class at the University of Washington, graduating with a bachelor of laws degree (Bachelor of Laws) in 1901. Upon the latter’s death, Beals continued to practice in Seattle.
He became active in Republican affairs but did not seek public office. She was the first woman graduate in the school’s first graduating class.
Active in civic affairs, she helped found the Seattle Milk Fund, served on the board of the Seattle Girl Scout Council, was state president and national vice president of the American Legion Auxiliary, and was active in the Red Cross.
The couple had no children. He entered the United States 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.
Fluent in French, he remained in Europe for several months after the armistice as a liaison officer with the French government.
Returning to Washington, Beals announced his intention to run for the state supreme court. In the September primary he failed to unseat any of the three incumbents, falling short by more than 30,000 votes.
Early career
Beals served in the United States Army (1917-1919. 1946-1947), as well as the Seattle Corporate Counsel (1923-1926) and Superior Court (1926-1928).
Death
Watler Beals died on Sunday, September 18, 1960.
Walter B. Beals papers. circa 1400-1951. 66.00 cubic feet. At University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections.
Served as major, lieutenant colonel, judge advocate, 1917-1919. Member Washington State Bar Association, American Bar Association, Sons of the American Revolution, Military Order Loyal Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Legion of Honor, France. Mason (32°).
Married Othilia Gertrude Carroll, July 14, 1904.