Christian WALTERS, one of the pioneers of Union Township, and an active and public-spirited citizen of Ringgold County, was born in Richland County, Ohio, December 29, 1831, the ninth child of Conrad and Susan (COFFMAN) WALTERS, who were born and reared in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and after their marriage settled in Ohio. After the mother's death the father was again married, and by his second wife had a family of eight children.

Eleven children were born to his first wife, who was the mother of our subject. He passed his boyhood on the home farm, remaining with his parents till seventeen years of age. He then served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's and carriage-maker's trade, which he followed for several years, being engaged in business for himself part of the time.

In 1857 he came to Ringgold County, Iowa, and bought at school-land sales six eighty-acre lots located in Union, Monroe and Tingley Townships, and commenced improving part of his land. In the spring of 1859 he disposed of these lands at an advance on the purchase price, leaving himself 160 acres on section 23, Union Township, a part of his present homestead. He had at this time about $1,500 with which to make improvements on his land, and immediately began to build a house, which he afterward rented.

He became a contractor and builder, and erected, by contract, sixteen school-houses, fourteen in Ringgold County and two in Decatur County.

In 1864, wishing for a change and new enterprises, Mr. WALTERS went overland to California as a builder and freighter, and was engaged in contract work in that State for two years, returning to this county in 1866, by the Isthmus of Panama and New York City.

He was married in Crawford County, Ohio, December 5, 1867, to Miss Margaret DICKSON, who was born in that county [Vernon Township] in 1842 (sic), a daughter of George and Agnes DICKSON, and a sister of John and George DICKSON, of Union Township, this county. Of the nine children born to this union, seven are living - Agnes, Charles, Leona, Jap, Cary (sic), Ollie and Bert. Two children died in infancy.

In 1876 Mr. WALTERS brought his family to Mt. Ayr, where he lived four years, improving a farm near that city. He owned 100 acres adjoining that place and 320 acres one and a half miles distant, improving both of these farms, where he built good houses, and also erected a fine residence in Mt. Ayr. He subsequently disposed of to advantage his property at and near Mt. Ayr.

Mr. WALTERS came to Ringgold County a poor man, the little capital he had being mainly borrowed; but industry and energy combined with good business qualifications and a determination to succeed have enabled him to win, and he is now numbered among Ringgold County's wealthiest men. He has led an active business life, which failing health alone has now in a great mesure compelled him to relinquish, yet he is and has been for many years successfully engaged in stock-raising, and in the past years he was extensively engaged in buying and shipping stock - his horses West and his cattle and hogs to the Eastern markets.

His real estate now amounts to about 1, 450 acres, his home farm containing 1,200 acres, his home farm containing 1,200 acres of finely-improved land. In his political views Mr. WALTERS is a Democrat. He is a members of Ivy Lodge, I.O.O.F., at Grand River, Decatur County, Iowa.

Mrs. WALTER's father died at the residence of our subject in 1880 [August 28], while here on a visit.

NOTE: Christian WALTERS died on January 8, 1887 of consumption. He was interred with I.O.O.F. honors at the Wirt [Ellston] Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa. Margaret (DICKSON) WALTERS was born in Crawford County, Ohio, on September 18, 1841, and died in 1930. She was interred beside her husband Christian at Ellston Cemetery.

Charles WALTERS was born in 1871, and died in 1960. His wife Paroda E. was born in 1873, and died in 1962. They were interred at Ellston Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Jap WALTERS was born in 1876, and died in 1937. His wife Jennie E. was born in 1874, and died in 1955. Jap and Jennie were interred at Ellston Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Carrie WALTERS died at the age of 22 years, 8 months and 1 day on November 12, 1900, with interment at Ellston Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Margaret's father George DICKSON was the son of Andrew DICKSON who immigrated to America. George was a soldier during the Revolutionary War and was interred in DICKSON Cemetery, Crawford County, Ohio.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, Pp. 363-64, 1887.

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2009

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z