Walter S. Leaming (March 4, 1854 – March 29, 1903) was an American physician and politician. Leaming was the son of

Jonathan F. Leaming Jonathan Furman Leaming (September 7, 1822 – April 25, 1907) was an American physician and politician. Leaming was born on September 7, 1822, in Cape May County, New Jersey, and was of English descent. His great-grandfather was the politician A ...

and Eliza Bennett and was of English ancestry. He was born on March 4, 1854, in

Seaville, New Jersey Seaville is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Upper Township in Cape May County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. A post office was established in 1849, with Remington Corson as the first postmaster. ...

, and grew up there. Leaming served as a law clerk in New York City and attended the Mayville Academy. In 1878, he graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery. He earned his M.D. from

Jefferson Medical College Thomas Jefferson University is a private research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Established in its earliest form in 1824, the university officially combined with Philadelphia University in 2017. To signify its heritage, the univer ...

in 1882 and subsequently became a partner of his father. Leaming enjoyed success as a dentist and used all of the newest tools in his office. He married his first wife, Mary H. Holmes. In 1887 Leaming was elected to the New Jersey Assembly as a Republican. He gave a speech to the assembly in 1888 that helped Colonel

Henry W. Sawyer Henry Washington Sawyer III (December 23, 1918 – July 31, 1999) was an American lawyer, civil rights activist and politician. Born in Philadelphia, he served in the U.S. Navy in World War II, afterwards returning to the University of Pennsylvan ...

become the Sinking Funk Commissioner. He was elected to the

New Jersey Senate The New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. There are 40 legislative districts, representing districts with an average population of 232, ...

in 1888 and served until 1891. He was nominated for president of the Senate in 1891.Stevens 1897, p. 390 On December 22, 1889, he married his second wife Rebecca Bennett; he had three children between his two marriages: Nellie, Rebecca, and Henrietta. Leaming moved to Cape May, New Jersey, in 1891 and practiced dentistry. He was elected to the Cape May City Council in 1895 and was its president, serving a three-year term. His brother-in-law was city solicitor J. Spicer Leaming. In 1899, he became the city treasurer, and he also served as director of the Mechanics and Laborer's Building and Loan Association. Leaming later served as postmaster of Cape May. He died unexpectedly on March 29, 1903. Senator William J. Sewell praised his sense and character, stating "I have the warmest and deepest sentiments and friendship and affection for Senator Walter S. Leaming."Mecray & Way 1903, p. 383

References

1854 births 1903 deaths Republican Party members of the New Jersey General Assembly Republican Party New Jersey state senators Jefferson Medical College alumni 19th-century American physicians 19th-century American legislators People from Cape May, New Jersey People from Upper Township, New Jersey Burials in New Jersey 19th-century American dentists 19th-century New Jersey politicians {{NewJersey-politician-stub