JOHN P. WALTERS

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John P. Walters and Mrs. John Walters

Among the residents of Tipton whose success in former years, won through independent effort in agricultural lines, now enables them to live retired, is numbered John P. Walters. He was born in California on the 9th of November, 1854, during the residence of his parents, Henry and Mary (Thompson) Walters, in that state. The father was born in Clinton county, Pennsylvania, October 9, 1821, and on attaining his majority secured employment on a canal boat, making the run between Lockhaven and Philadelphia. On leaving Pennsylvania he became a resident of Carroll county, Ohio, where he resided for three years, and in the spring of 1846 arrived in Cedar county, Iowa. He was married January 27, 1848, to Mary Thompson, and in 1852 crossed the plains to California in company with many others, making the trip with an ox-team. Not meeting with the success that he anticipated in that state, he returned to Cedar county in 1856 and was thereafter continuously engaged in farming until his industry supplied him with a handsome competence that enabled him to spend his last years in retirement. He was a worthy citizen, highly esteemed by all who knew him, and his death, which occurred January 26, 1894, when he was seventy-three years of age, was the occasion of deep regret. His wife, a most estimable Mrs. Robert Gaige, Mrs. J. W. Argo, Mrs. James Fegley, Mrs. Frank Gay, Robert, John, George, Turner and Harry. [Submitter’s note: Last sentence typed as written. Appears to have missing words.]

John P. Walters was only two years of age when his parents returned from California, the family home being established in Fairfield township, where they lived for one year while the father built a home on his farm two and one-half miles east of Tipton. Upon that property which was long the old family homestead, John P. Walters remained until thirty years of age. He was married in 1884, at which time he purchased a part of his father’s farm, and added to it a tract of one hundred and twenty acres. He is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres of valuable and productive land of section 34, Fairfield township. He has brought the place under a high state of cultivation and has added many modern improvements. There he continuously and successfully carried on general farming until February, 1908, when he came to Tipton, and took up his abode in the Cobb residence, which he had previously purchased. This is a large, fine home, attractive in its furnishings and most hospitable.

On the 25th of December, 1884, Mr. Walters was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Smith, who was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, April 1, 1858, and is a daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Drake) Smith, who were early settlers of this state. They came to Iowa from Ohio and after living for a time in Cedar county, removed to Muscatine county, where their remaining days were passed. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Walters were born three children: Wilma, Henry and Leonard. The sons are yet at home and the daughter is now the wife of William Werling, who resides upon her father’s farm. They have one child, Donald.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Walters is an Odd Fellow and his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. His life has been quietly and uneventfully passed, but the salient qualities of his career have won him the regard and good will of all with whom he has come in contact. He has resided continuously in the county for more than half a century, bearing at all times his part in the work of general progress and improvement and giving his influence and aid in support of important public measures.