Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 207
JOHN FREDERICK WALTER, one of the early settlers of this county, now living a retired life in the city of Muscatine, was born in Bavaria, Germany, on the 12th of March, 1813. When only about two and a half years old, his parents died, and he was taken to live with the family of a farmer. His early education was sadly neglected, but by subsequent study and observation in later life, he has secured a fund of information which largely atones for the want of early educational advantages, which, unlike most other boys, he was unable to obtain. In 1843 he resolved to try his fortune in the New World, and emigrated to America, embarking on a sailing-vessel, in which it required sixty days to make the voyage. Landing in New York, he then went by canal to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained for a short while, working for $7 per month. Going to St. Louis, he worked at the shoemaker's trade, which he had learned in his native land, and subsequently removed to Fayette, Howard Co., Mo., where he took out naturalization papers and became a citizen of the United States. Going next to New Orleans, he remained there for some time, and then removed to Louisville, Ky., where he became acquainted with the lady who afterward became his wife, Charlotte Leiber, a daughter of John C. and Philipoena Leiber, who emigrated to America in 1832, locating in Louisville, Ky., where the death of both parents occurred. In her father's family were fourteen children, of which five are yet living; John P., who resides in Louisville; Catherine, wife of Henry Hilt, also of that city; Henry, who is living in St. Louis, Mo.; Wiliam, who, when last heard of, was living in Jeffersonville, Ind.; and Charlotte. On the 26th of January, 1846, in New Orleans, Mr. Walter and Charlotte Leiber, who was born May 26, 1826, were united in marriage, and then went to Mississippi, afterward removing to Howard County, Mo.

Mr. Walter was one of the first to cross the plains to California with an ox-team when the news of the discovery of gold reached the States, starting on the 8th of April, 1849. He remained on the Pacific Slope a year engaged in mining, and then returned by water, paying $300 to make the trip from San Francisco to Panama. He joined his wife in Louisville, and there followed the shoemaker's trade, which he carried on until May, 1856, when he removed to Muscatine, Iowa, and built a soap factory, which he operated for twenty-three years, when he retired from active life. Though in limited circumstances in early life, by energy and industry, he has accumulated a comfortable property, and is numbered among the well-to-do citizens of Muscatine. Politically he is a strong advocate of the principles of the Democratic party. He is a member of the Hawkeye Lodge No.30, A. F. & .A. M., of Muscatine, having first become a member of the order at Fayette, Howard Co., Mo., over forty years ago.

Mr. and Mrs. Walter are members of the Lutheran Church, and to them have been born two children: Caroline, born in Fayette, Howard Co., Mo., May, 5, 1847, is now the wife of J. G. Gunzenhauser, of Muscatine; and Orlando, who is now a resident of Omaha, Neb. This family holds a high social position in the community, and its members are ranked with Muscatine County's best citizens.

As representatives of that large class of German-American citizens, who, leaving the Old World for the New, have succeeded well in life, and are honored by all, we take pleasure in presenting the portraits of this worthy couple on another page.

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