A[braham] F. WALTER, farmer, section 3, Lott's Creek Township, was born in Lucas County, Ohio, March 7, 1837, son of Abraham and Martha WALTER, of Pennsylvania. He was the fourth of eleven children, and was reared a farmer. He received a limited education in the common schools, but studied hard at home. In 1855 the WALTER family started for Iowa by team, and arrived in Ringgold County July 11. The father located on section 9, Lott's Creek Township, where he still resides at an advanced age, and where he has all the comforts of a good home. At that time there were but three families living in the township. Game was abundant and supplied the family with plenty of meat.

Mr. WALTER was married December 4, 1859, to Miss Nancy JOHNSON, a native of Putnam County, Indiana, and daughter of James and Juriah JOHNSON who came to Ringgold County in 1856.

Mr. WALTER located on a piece of wild land near Caledonia.

October 15, 1861, he enlisted [as a Private] in Company I, Twenty-third Missouri Infantry, and served three years and two and a half months. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Shiloh and held fifty-three days at Memphis, Mobile, Cohabba, Alabama, and Macon, Georgia, after which he was paroled and sent to Benton Barracks at St. Louis for a time; was then granted a furlough and came home. He was afterward exchanged and returned to the front. He was at the siege of Atlanta, Jonesborough and Savannah, and was discharged December 29, 1864; then returned to his home in Ringgold County.

In 1872 he came to his present farm which was then in its primitive condition. It is well improved and in a good state of cultivation. He has a good story-and-a-half residence, out-buildings for stock, an orchard of eighty-five trees, small fruits, and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. Everything about the premises betokens the thrift and enterprise of the owner.

Mr. and Mrs. WALTER are the parents of ten children -- Mary Ann, Vinola P., Nancy Lilly, Laura Belle, Ammon J., Varden, Lizzie, Martin Luther, Minerva J. and Leroy.

Mr. Walter is a member of Post No. 96, G. A. R., Mount Ayr, and is a worthy and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is trustee and one of its most liberal supporters. Politically he is a Republican. Postoffice, Caledonia.

NOTE: Abraham F. WALTER died on December 5, 1907 with interment at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa. His father Abraham WALTER was born on October 27, 1807 in Pennsylvania, and died on October 29, 1888. His mother, Martha (FREED) WALTER was born in Pennsylvania on April 10, 1818, and died on March 29, 1898, Ringgold County, Iowa. They were interred at Caledonia Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Abraham was the brother of Catherine Freed (WALTER) KNEEDLER, born January 7, 1848, Ohio, and died November 15, 1904, Ringgold County, Iowa, with interment at Caledonia Cemetery.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, Pp. 319, 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