William Aloysius Keleher: A Great Man

William Aloysius Keleher was born in 1886 ininterested in law while observing contemporary
Lawrence, Kansas. His parents, David Keleher andevents. William enrolled in the Law School at
Mary Ann Keleher moved to Albuquerque, NewWashington and Lee University in September,
Mexico in 1889. There, William enrolled at Saint1913 and after merely two years, graduated
Mary's Parochial School and studied until 1900successfully in 1915. He was admitted to the New
when he started working as a messenger for theMexico Bar in that same year. After returning to
Western Union Telegraph Company. His initialAlbuquerque, he commenced working as city
position was that of a counter clerk. However, heattorney. He, then, joined a legal practice with
was promoted to the post of telegraph operatorGeorge Downer which lasted till 1930. The next
within a short time. William tried differentyear, he founded another practice with A.H.
alternatives career after that. For a brief period,McLeod. It should be noted that the firm still
he worked for the board of education and aexists after so many years. Moreover, it is
development company called Bluewater (bothconsidered one of the best law firms in that
situated locally). His praiseworthy writing skillszone.Outside the professional life, William was also
caught the attention of local newspapermen whoa diligently active New Mexican citizen. For several
instantly appointed him as a newspaper reporteryears, he acted as the chairman of the
in the year of 1908. Meanwhile, he also wrote forDemocratic State Central Committee of New
the Albuquerque Journal and Albuquerque EveningMexico. He served under the State Board of
Herald.Later on, he would act as the city editorFinance from 1932 to 1949. When the first
for both newspapers. He came in touch withnational bank of Albuquerque failed miserably in
many prominent New Mexicans while working as a1933, he served as its conservator.
reporter. This was the time when he got