Cyrus Walker – Pioneer Lawyer & Judge

Cyrus Walker (1791-1875) was a pioneer lawyer with a wide reputation, especially for success in criminal cases. He was a Virginian who moved to Macomb from Kentucky in 1832 and who’s uncles were veterans of the Revolutionary War.

Walker was a colleague of Abraham Lincoln, and instrumental in helping to arrange two of Lincoln’s historic visits to this county. The two worked together as part of Lincoln’s legal team to successfully defend Henry B. Truett in a noted 1838 Springfield murder case in which Stephen Douglas led the prosecution.

He also represented Mormon prophet Joseph Smith, and spoke in Illinois on political issues. Walker, who later became a judge died in 1875 and is interned at Camp Creek Cemetery outside of Industry, IL in southern McDonough County.