Andrew Walser

Andrew Walser, a representative farmer of Northwood, his land lying within the corporation limits of the city, and well known as a raiser of shorthorn cattle, was born on a farm in Dane county, Wisconsin, near Madison, March 9, 1860, his parents being John and Elizabeth (Yagen) Walser, who are mentioned else­where in this work in connection with the sketch of John Walser, brother of Andrew.

Upon the home farm in Wisconsin, Andrew Walser remained until eight years of age and then went to live with an uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Wolff, on a farm northeast of Madison. He attended school during the winter months and worked on the farm in the summers until about eighteen years of age. In March, 1878, he came to Northwood, where he secured a position on the farm of A. C. Walker, and thus followed general agricultural pursuits for two and a half years. On the expiration of that period, in connection with his brother John, who also worked for Mr. Walker, he rented the Duncan McKercher farm, which together the brothers operated for three and a half years. They then purchased the property, which they have since continued to develop and im­prove. Andrew Walser only assisted at intervals on the farm, however, although he«was interested financially, on account of working at the carpenter's trade in Northwood. He followed the trade there for about six years or until 1893, when he took up his abode upon the farm, where he has since remained, and he and his brother are today owners of a very valuable and highly developed farm property, on which is found the latest improved machinery, while the most modern methods are utilized in the cultivation and care of the crops. Upon the place is a fine residence and many substantial buildings, furnishing ample shelter for grain and stock, and in addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate they are making a specialty of the raising of shorthorn cattle and their business in that direction is proving quite profitable.

On the 9th of March, 1886-the anniversary of his birth-Andrew Walser was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Eichelberger, who was born May 6, 1864, a daughter of William L. and Jane (Newton) Eichelberger. Mrs. Walser was born in Cedar county, Iowa. Her father was a native of Indiana and her grandfather of Hanover, Germany. The latter came to the United States in early days and settled in Indiana, where William L. Eichelberger was born No­vember 6, 1828. Removing westward to Iowa, he was married in Tipton, this state, on the 4th of July, 1859, to Miss Jane Newton, who was born in Iowa, October 17, 1840. They began their domestic life upon a farm and in addition to its cultivation Mr. Eichelberger also operated a threshing outfit. He died No­vember 25, 1886, while his wife survived only until the 1st of August, 1887. In their family were four children: William Carson Eichelberger; Ida M. Barker, who is living in Lincoln, Nebraska; Edward, who lives with Mr. and Mrs. Walser, the latter being the fourth member of the family. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Walser was celebrated in Northwood, Iowa, and they have become the parents of four children. Charles W., their elder son, married Miss Grace Hall, of Northwood, Iowa, the marriage being celebrated in Wisconsin, and they now make their home in Milwaukee, where he is holding a responsible position in the freight department of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company. He has one child, Richard. Dora M., the second member of the family, is now attending the State University at Madison, Wisconsin, and will graduate in June, 1918, with the Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1917 she took up surgical dress­ing with the Red Cross in Madison and during her vacation periods taught the work in the Red Cross rooms at Northwood, thus ably "doing her bit" for the great war. Nellie B., the third member of the family, is successfully teaching school in Ionia, Iowa. Robert A., the youngest, was a barber and made his home with his parents, but has now enlisted in the United States medical department.

Mr. Walser is a member of the Masonic fraternity and also of the Modern Woodmen of America, loyally upholding the interests of both organizations and exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit which underlies the society. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office, pre­ferring to concentrate his efforts upon his business affairs, which have been wisely and carefully managed and are bringing to him substantial success. He h is long been regarded as one of the foremost representatives of farming interests in Worth county and contributes much to the development of the county along agricultural lines.

SOURCE: HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, 1918, VOL. II; Pages 53, 54 & 55

Transcribed by Gordon Felland, September 2, 2006