Walsh, Hugh Sleight, secretary and acting governor of the Territory of Kansas, was a native of the Empire State, having been born at New Windsor, Orange county, N. Y., about 1810. He was educated in his native state, then went to Alabama, and came to Kansas in 1857. He served as private secretary to Govs. Stanton and Denver, and in the spring of 1858 was appointed secretary of the territory, entering upon the duties of that office on May 12. When Gov. Denver resigned in the following October, Mr. Walsh served as governor until the arrival of Gov. Medary in December. Connelley says: "He endeavored to perform his duties in a manner satisfactory to the administration at Washington, and seems to have cared little for the good opinion of the people of Kansas." He was particularly active in aiding the border ruffians in their efforts to suppress Capt. James Montgomery (q. v.) and his company in southeastern Kansas. In June, 1860, he retired from the secretary's office and engaged in farming near Grantville, Jefferson county, Kan., where he lived with his son De Witt until his death on April 23, 1877. Mr. Walsh took a keen interest in state politics, and while positive in his opinion and always ready to defend his views he was never abusive toward his political opponents, among whom he had many warm personal friends.