J.A. Walters, D.D.S., has a well appointed office in McGregor, and has a good local patronage. He is a member of the State Dental Association, and ranks high in his profession. A native of McGregor, Dr. Walters was born January 9, 1861. His paternal gradfather, George Walters, was born in Baden, Germany, and left his native land, coming to America in the spring of 1847. On landing at his destination, New York City, he at once proceeded westward, arriving in Sandusky, Ohio, in 1849. In that city his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Barbain, also a native of Baden, departed this life in 1854.

Peter Walters, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of the Fatherland, his birth having occurred in Baden, July 13, 1833, and with his parents he crossed the briny deep when a youth of fifteen years, becoming a resident of Sandusky, Ohio, and later removing to Iowa. At the present time he is a furniture dealer in McGregor, having met with success in his business enterprises. He is the originator and instructor of the famous Walters family band, comprising Peter Walters, John A. Walters, the subject of this narrative, William Walters, who is a professional cornetist, now traveling in the band, which is with Cook & Whitby's Circus; Tillie and Matilda, who are celebrated vocalists, and Hannah E. The Walters band has gained a wide and favorable reputation, and has played and traveled for a number of years on the excursion boats which ply the Mississippi River, and also in St. Louis, and all of the river towns between there and St. Paul, Minn. Our subject's mother, who was the second wife of Peter Walters, was formerly Mary Reiss, and she is still living.

The early years of our subject were passed in this the city of his birth, where he received a good public school education. In 1879, when only eighteen years of age, he began the sudy of dentistry in the Iowa State University, where he spent three years, after which he graduated in the Class of '82, with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. In 1881 he began his practice in this city, and has successfully conducted the same up to the present time. He is thoroughly versed in all kinds of dental work, making a specialty of crown and bridge work, and paying particular attention to the proper fitting and construction of sets of teeth. His pleasant office is well supplied with a large assortment of tools and instruments used in his practice, and he has the latest improvements used by the profession.

In 1885 the Doctor married Miss Matilda Bergman, of this city, and to them have been born one son and two daughters, Marguerette, Marie and Frederick. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Knights of Pythias. Politically, he votes in favor of the Democratic party. Being very musically inclined, he has made a study of the art, and is now the leader of the band before mentioned.

~source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties; Chicago: Chapman Pub. Co., 1894; pg 533-534
~transcribed by Sharyl Ferrall