W. L. Clapp

Who is W. L. Clapp?

Walker Lucas Clapp was an American politician in the state of Tennessee.

Clapp was born in 1851, the son of J. W. Clapp. He graduated from the University of Mississippi, graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in 1871. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1874, practicing with his father, a prominent attorney. During the American Civil War, Clapp served in the Confederate government, as director of the Produce Loan, appointed by Jefferson Davis.

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 was defeated by just over 500 votes by Joseph J. Williams.

He married Lamira Parker in 1874 and had four children. Clapp died on September 29, 1901 in Baltimore, Maryland.