Walden was born in
Pawlet, Vermont on August 21, 1800. He attended the district schools of Pawlet and moved to
Berne, New York in 1818. He was a member of the
New York State Assembly in 1836. In addition to his business interests, Walden was involved in the state militia and in 1839 he attained the rank of major general as commander of the 16th Division. He commanded the division until resigning in 1841. He was
Schoharie's
town supervisor from 1842 to 1844. When the town of Wright was created by separating it from Schoharie, Walden was Wright's first town supervisor, and he served from 1846 to 1849. In 1848, Walden was the successful
Democratic nominee for a seat in the
United States House of Representatives. During his House term, Walden was a member of the Committee on Invalid Pensions and chairman of the
Committee on Patents. He was an unsuccessful candidate for re-nomination in 1850. After leaving Congress, Walden was employed as an inspector in New York City's
United States Custom House. After retiring, he was a resident of Waldenville until his death on July 21, 1880. He was buried at Berne and Beaverdam Cemetery (formerly Pine Grove) in Berne, New York. ==Family==