Fred and Edith farmed in Howard Co. after their marriage and moved to a farm in Bluffton Twp., Winneshiek Co. about 1910. Their children were: Howard B. (30 May 1906-24 Aug 1988); Vera Dorothy (23 Nov 1907-3 Feb 1981) married Harry Quandahl; Harvey Fredrich (5 Feb 1909-13 Mar 1909); Arthur C. (19 Feb 1918-16 Oct 1986); and Earl Lester (28 Oct 1923-1 Nov 1923).

They acquired 300 acres of land and had a very prosperous farm for many years. Fred owned and operated a threshing machine for the neighborhood or “threshing ring." The last day of threshing often ended with some beer to drink, or soon after threshing was over Fred would have a party for families in his ring. They would gather at a vacant farmhouse on his farm. Fred would provide a keg of beer and everyone would bring food. Members of the threshing ring provided the music and callers for the square dances. The children were put to sleep upstairs while the parents danced in the big living room below. On occasion Fred would do a jig for everyone’s entertainment. Not all of the children slept, of course, and they remember those parties as the social events that they were.

After a iong illness Edith died of heart failure at her home 12 Sep 1941 and was buried in the Burr Oak Cemetery. Fred continued on the farm until the spring of 1943 when he married Mrs. Jessie Sanders at Spring Valley, MN. They moved to 319 Pershing Ave. in Decorah and that was their home until his death on 19 Feb 1967. Burial was beside his first wife in the cemetery at Burr Oak, IA.

Walter, Howard and Pearl (Blaess)

(Ferneva Brimacomb)

In June of 1910 Fredrich “Fred" Walter purchased 40 acres in Section 4, Bluffton Twp., Winneshiek Co. from Dave Cassel. He moved from Howard Co. with his family, which included his wife Edith and children Howard age 4 and Vera age 2 1/2. Over the following 30 years he proceeded to clear the land, build a house, barn and outbuildings and acquire a total of 320 acres. Most of the land is located in Burr Oak Twp. with approximately 60 adjoining acres in Burr Oak Twp. When Fred and Edith moved from Howard Co. they left behind an infant son Harvey Frederich (5 Feb 1909-13 Mar 1909) buried in the Granger Cemetery, Granger, MN. A son Arthur C. (19 Feb 1918-16 Oct 1986) was born and lived on the farm until he retired from farming. Another son Earl Lester (28 Oct 1923-1 Nov 1923) is buried in the Burr Oak Cemetery with his parents. My father, Howard Walter, was born 30 May 1906 in Howard Co. and died 24 Aug 1988. He was the oldest child of Fred and Edith (Bronner) Walter. My mother, Pearl Blaess, was born in Decorah Twp., Winneshiek Co, the oldest child of Michael M. and Grace (Richards) Blaess. Mike and Grace raised their 4 children in Winneshiek Co: Pearl (1 Dec 1909-14 Oct 1989); Floyd (1 May 1911-Mar 1977); Richard (14 Jul 1913-18 Nov 1989); and Leonard (28 Jul 1915-29 Aug 1975).

According to the Decorah Public Opinion Pearl’s Uncle John Blaess was responsible for transforming the Winneshiek Co. Courthouse grounds from the old high-walled terraced look to the harmonious sloping grounds we enjoy today. Pearl’s grandparents, Sam and Emma (King) Richards, were pioneer residents of Winneshiek Co. Pearl remembered the Canoe Twp. farms where she spent her early childhood. The Richards family raised sugar cane and processed it into sorghum and other specialty products.

On 3 Feb 1927 Howard and Pearl were married at the First Lutheran Parsonage in Decorah. For the first year of their marriage they lived in Howard Co. with Howard’s Aunt Alvine and Uncle Darwin Miller. In 1928 Howard and Pearl purchased a farm from Willis Kinney and moved back to Bluffton Twp. This farm is located in Section 3, approximately one mile east of Fred Walter’s farm. Howard and Pearl had 7 children: Verna Girlene married Durwin Sampson and later was divorced; Darlene Lois married Donald G. Richards: Leonard Frederick; Ferneva Mae married Robert M. Brimacomb; Dean Marvin (8 May 1945-28 Jul 1945), buried in the Burr Oak Cemetery beside his parents; Erlin Wesley; and Wayne Howard. All the children except the 2 youngest, Erlin and Wayne, were born at home.

Howard and Pearl lived the remainder of their married life on this farm in Bluffton Twp. Their children all attended Burr Oak #8 (Lost Nation School). The family was actively involved in their church, Burr Oak Lutheran. Pearl was a charter member of this church. This farm remains in the Howard Walter family and is presently owned by Ferneva and Robert Brimacomb.

Walters, Mike and Ann

(Ann Walters)

Michael L.C. and Ann Michele Potter Walters cutting their wedding cake September 5, 1993, at their reception at Matter’s Ballroom, Decorah.

Michael L.C. Walters was born in Ellsworth, ME to Levis Charles  and Patricia Louise Wheeler Walters. Ann Michele Potter