William Valk

Who was William Valk?

William Weightman Valk was a soldier in the American Civil War and a U.S. Congressman.

In 1830, Valk earned a degree in medicine, graduating from the University of South Carolina at Columbia in 1830. He opened a practice in Connecticut. He joined the Navy during the Mexican-American War and became chief surgeon on the USS Constellation. Valk joined the California Gold Rush in 1849 and, upon failure, opened a practice on Long Island. From March 4, 1855 to March 3, 1857, Valk served in New York's 1st District in the United States House of Representatives.

Finally settled in Flushing, New York, and continued the practice of medicine until elected to Congress. He was elected as a candidate serving in New York's 1st District, as a member of the American Party to the Thirty-fourth Congress. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection. Upon the breakout of Civil War, he volunteered as chief surgeon of the 2nd Maryland Volunteer Infantry of the Union Army. He later became a pension office clerk in Washington, D.C.. He was interred in Flushing Cemetery.