Phillip Walter

WALTER

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/20/2009 at 00:14:56

Phillip Walter, who carries on general farming on Sec 5 Amaqua township, belongs to that lnad which has sent so many worthy citizens to the new world, his birth having occurred in Alsace, Germany on December 4, 1851, his parents being John and Maggie Walter, who were also natives of Germany. The father was a weaver by trade and followed that pursuit in the land of his birth until 1882, when with his wife he came to the new world, They made their home with our subject throughout their remaining days, the father dying in 1885, while the mother departed this life n 1891. They were the parents of six children, two of whom have now passed away. The remainder, with the exception of our subject are now residents of Germany.
Phillip Walter was a young man of twenty years when he bade adieu to home and friends in his native land and sailed for the new world, resolved to make a comfortable living for himself in this country if it could be gained through persistent and honorable effort. As the years have passed he has prospered in his undertakings. He arrived in Boone county in 1872, making his way direct to this portion of the country after landing on the Atlantic coast. Here he worked as a farm hand in Grant and Amaqua townships, being employed by various men of the neighborhood. In this way he earned a sufficient amount to purchase his present farm, which has been in his possession since 1883. It was then all wild prairie land, on which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made, but he at one began its development and now it is one of the best improved farms in his part of Boone county. Recently he has erected a fine large residence and has also put up other buildings, having all the barns and sheds necessary for the shelter of grain and stock. He today owns 180 acres of rich land in his present farm on Sec 5, Amaqua township and also has a tract of 80 acres in Grant township. In connection with his son he carries on general farming and stock raising and each year sees an increase in his capital as the result of his well directed labors.
Mr Walter as united in marriage to Miss Clara Lehman, a native of Henry county, Illinois and a daughter of Lawrence Lehman of Germany. Her father came to America in early life, taking up his abode n Henry county, Illinois, where he carried on farming pursuits until his death. The home of Mr and Mrs Walter has been blessed with four children, all of whom are under the parental roof as follows: Ezra born march 2, 1881, William born may 3, 1882, Harrison born September 15, 1888, and Ernest born April 17, 1895. In his political views Mr Walter is a Republican. His allegiance to the party has been unwavering through all the period during which he has had the rights of a native born American citizen. Both he and his wife are members of the German Evangelical church of Grant township. No native son of this country is more loyal to the interests and welfare of the United States than is Phillip Walter, who has great love for the land of his adoption because he has found here the business opportunities he sought. The conditions here are such that labor has not hampered by caste or class and through his untiring diligence he has gained success.

1902 Boone County History Book