William Aloysius Keleher: A Great Man

William Aloysius Keleher was born in 1886 inlabor altercation in the coal fields It was then
Lawrence, Kansas. His parents, David Keleher andwhen the "Mechem-Keleher" report on the Gallup
Mary Ann Keleher moved to Albuquerque, Newcoal strike was engendered that forced the
Mexico in 1889. There, William enrolled at Saintfederal government to settle the strike.
Mary's Parochial School and studied until 1900William's service on the New Mexico State
when he started working as a messenger for theUniversity (previously known as the New Mexico
Western Union Telegraph Company. His initialCollege of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts), the
position was that of a counter clerk. However, heMuseum of New Mexico, the Old Lincoln County
was promoted to the post of telegraph operatorMemorial Commission was greatly appreciated. He
within a short time. William tried differentalso held a few private sector positions carrying
alternatives career after that. For a brief period,tremendous importance. He was the director of
he worked for the board of education and athe US Equitable Life Assurance Society and the
development company called Bluewater (bothlegal counsel for the New Mexico Public Service
situated locally). His praiseworthy writing skillsCompany.
caught the attention of local newspapermen whoIt will not be an exaggeration to opine that
instantly appointed him as a newspaper reporterWilliam's most significant non-professional activities
in the year of 1908. Meanwhile, he also wrote forwere his writings. He was an eager scholar of
the Albuquerque Journal and Albuquerque EveningNew Mexico history and he officially became an
Herald. Later on, he would act as the city editorauthoritative author on the topic in 1929 when he
for both newspapers. He came in touch withdelivered a speech on the Maxwell Land Grant in a
many prominent New Mexicans while working as aconference held in Amarillo, Texas. Interestingly, it
reporter. This was the time when he gotresulted in his first book which was entitled "The
interested in law while observing contemporaryMaxwell Land Grant" (1942). He went on to write
events. William enrolled in the Law School atmore books after publishing that work. It is truly
Washington and Lee University in September,a praiseworthy fact that William never neglected
1913 and after merely two years, graduatedhis law firm's regular hours despite the demands
successfully in 1915. He was admitted to the Newof writing books like The Fabulous Frontier,
Mexico Bar in that same year. After returning toTurmoil in New Mexico, Violence in Lincoln
Albuquerque, he commenced working as cityCountry, New Mexicans I Knew, and Memoirs. His
attorney. He, then, joined a legal practice withlast book came out in 1969.
George Downer which lasted till 1930. The nextWilliam was honored by innumerable groups for his
year, he founded another practice with A.H.impressive accomplishments. Among them, the
McLeod. It should be noted that the firm stillImmaculate Conception Church, Tucker Chapter
exists after so many years. Moreover, it isof Phi-Delta-Phi, and the Phi Beta Kappa were
considered one of the best law firms in that zone.considered the most elite ones. In addition, William
Outside the professional life, William was also awas also honored by few educational institutes. He
diligently active New Mexican citizen. For severalreceived an honorary Master of Arts and an
years, he acted as the chairman of thehonorary LL.D in 1946 and 1968, respectively
Democratic State Central Committee of Newfrom the same university (University of New
Mexico. He served under the State Board ofMexico). He received another LL.D from the
Finance from 1932 to 1949. When the firstUniversity of Albuquerque in 1968. Eventually, he
national bank of Albuquerque failed miserably inwas included in the prestigious New Mexico Hall of
1933, he served as its conservator. In 1933,Fame, in the year of 1964.
Governor appointed William to investigate the