W. L. Clapp

Walker Lucas Clapp (April 15, 1851 – September 29, 1901) was an American politician in the state of Tennessee. He served as the Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1887 to 1891, and later as the Mayor of Memphis from 1895 to 1898.

Early life Walker Lucas Clapp was born in 1851. His father, Judge Jeremiah W. Clapp, was elected to the Congress of the Confederate States. He grew up at Oakleigh in Holly Springs, Mississippi.

Clapp graduated from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1871. While there, he was a member of the Fraternity of Delta Psi (aka St. Anthony Hall). He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1874.

Career Clapp practiced the Law with his father, a prominent attorney.

In 1887, Clapp was selected as speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives. He served in that capacity until 1891. He served as Mayor of Memphis from 1895 to 1898, when he lost by just over 500 votes to Joseph J. Williams.

Personal life and death He married Lamira Parker in 1874 and had four children.