Walter Booth

Walter Booth (8 December 1791 – 30 April 1870), was a manufacturing entrepreneur, banker and United States representative for Connecticut. He served as Major-General in the United States Army.

Early life and background Born at Woodbridge, Connecticut, the son of Walter Booth (1760–1825) by his wife Mary née Newton, he was educated at New Haven Common School.

Booth joined the Connecticut Militia, becoming Colonel of the 10th regiment of the second battalion of militia in 1825. Promoted Brigadier-General in the United States Army in 1827, he then served as Major-General of the 1st Division until 1834.

Public life In 1833, Booth co-founded the Meriden National Bank with Silas Mix, Samuel Yale, brother of William Yale, Elisha Cowles, Stephen Taylor, Ashabel Griswold, James S. Brooks, Noah Pomeroy and John D. Reynolds, forming its Board of Directors.

Appointed a Judge of New Haven County Court in 1834, Booth became President of the Meriden National Bank in 1836, then a member of the Connecticut State House of Representatives in 1838.

Booth was elected as a Free-Soiler to the 31st United States Congress (March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1851), unsuccessfully seeking re-election in 1850.

Family and personal life

Intermarrying with many early colonial families, the Booths became established in New Haven County at Woodbridge then Meriden, Connecticut. Among his kinsmen was President Ulysses S. Grant.

A great-great-great-great-grandson of Colonel Sir John Booth (1610–1678), he was in remainder to the Booth baronetcy (cr. 1611). He married firstly in 1810 Laura Mitchell (died 1841), leaving issue. He married secondly in 1842 Sarah Holkins (died 1874).

Having resumed his former manufacturing enterprises, Booth died in 1870 being buried at the East Cemetery, Meriden.