WILLIAM WALTERS.--Among the successful and progressive farmers of York county, the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch holds a prominent place. For almost thirty years he has now made his home in this section of the state, and to-day owns and successfully operates a fine farm on section 24, Henderson township.
Mr. Walters was born in Fulton county, Illinois, September 26, 1832, a son of William and Elizabeth (Royer) Walters, the former of German and the later of Irish descent, though the Royers were originally from England. In the old country and in America, the family have principally followed agricultural pursuits. During his minority and up to the time of his marriage our subject lived upon his father's farm ten miles north of Vermont. At the age of twenty-one he decided to marry, and on the 22nd of December, 1853, led to the marriage altar Miss Marietta Shields, a daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth (Sivly) Shields, and granddaughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Harvey) Sivly, who were of German lineage and farming people, while the Shields were of Irish origin and merchants by occupation.
Mr. and Mrs. Walters had known each other from early childhood, their homes being in the same neighborhood. For a year after his marriage he continued to work on his father's farm, and then purchased a small farm in McDonough county, Illinois, which he operated until 1864.
Owing to the ill health of his wife, he rented his place, and, accompanied by her mother and stepfather, they started by wagons to the Pacific coast. After spending the winter at Walla Walla, Washington, Mrs. Walters and her four children started on a visit to her mother, who had located fifteen miles west of Portland, Oregon. By wagon they proceeded to a landing on the Columbia river, and then went down that stream by boat, while Mr. Walters returned to Walla Walla and engaged in freighting between that point and Boise City, Idaho, with oxen. He remained in this mountainous region eighteen months and then joined his family in Oregon. With them he then started for the Grand Round valley in the Blue mountains, and on this trip made his way from peak to valley and from valley to peak across the Cascade mountains until he at last reached his destination, traveling and camping in the wilds where no foot of man had ever trod. In this way they passed months along the valley streams, which were filled with mountain trout and salmon, camping now on grassy mountains and now between great rocks, where the sough of the pines mingled with the murmur of the brooklets. At length Mrs. Walters began to creep back to health, her hand grew stronger, her eye grew brighter, the music of her voice returned, and the cool breeze fanned her pale cheeks back to the wonted glow of youth. In May, 1869, they started for their Illinois home by wagon, traveling by day and camping out by night, until they reached home in September, having been absent four years and four months. After spending seven years there, they decided to come to Nebraska and arrived in York county in March, 1876. After looking around for a time, Mr. Walters purchased the southwest quarter of section 24, Henderson township, to which he has since added until he now has an excellent farm of four hundred and sixty acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with good buildings.
Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Walters, only four reached years of maturity, namely: Harvey L., who married Jane Davis, a daughter of George and Rebecca Davis; Clinton D., who married Alice Search, daughter of William and Salinda Search; Ezra P., who married Bina Hager, daughter of Oliver and Elizabeth Hager; and Frank E., who has been a wanderer for the past eight years, and when last heard from was in the gold fields of Klondike.
In early life Mr. Walters was a Democrat, and now votes with the Populists, being an enthusiastic believer in the free and unlimited coinage of silver. His first vote was cast for James Buchanan in 1856, his last for W. J. Bryan in 1896. Though not members of any religious denominatian (sic), he and his wife are believers in the Christian religion, and they enjoy the respect and esteem of all who know them.
Contributor: Janice T.
Mr. Walters was born in Fulton county, Illinois, September 26, 1832, a son of William and Elizabeth (Royer) Walters, the former of German and the later of Irish descent, though the Royers were originally from England. In the old country and in America, the family have principally followed agricultural pursuits. During his minority and up to the time of his marriage our subject lived upon his father's farm ten miles north of Vermont. At the age of twenty-one he decided to marry, and on the 22nd of December, 1853, led to the marriage altar Miss Marietta Shields, a daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth (Sivly) Shields, and granddaughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Harvey) Sivly, who were of German lineage and farming people, while the Shields were of Irish origin and merchants by occupation.
Mr. and Mrs. Walters had known each other from early childhood, their homes being in the same neighborhood. For a year after his marriage he continued to work on his father's farm, and then purchased a small farm in McDonough county, Illinois, which he operated until 1864.
Owing to the ill health of his wife, he rented his place, and, accompanied by her mother and stepfather, they started by wagons to the Pacific coast. After spending the winter at Walla Walla, Washington, Mrs. Walters and her four children started on a visit to her mother, who had located fifteen miles west of Portland, Oregon. By wagon they proceeded to a landing on the Columbia river, and then went down that stream by boat, while Mr. Walters returned to Walla Walla and engaged in freighting between that point and Boise City, Idaho, with oxen. He remained in this mountainous region eighteen months and then joined his family in Oregon. With them he then started for the Grand Round valley in the Blue mountains, and on this trip made his way from peak to valley and from valley to peak across the Cascade mountains until he at last reached his destination, traveling and camping in the wilds where no foot of man had ever trod. In this way they passed months along the valley streams, which were filled with mountain trout and salmon, camping now on grassy mountains and now between great rocks, where the sough of the pines mingled with the murmur of the brooklets. At length Mrs. Walters began to creep back to health, her hand grew stronger, her eye grew brighter, the music of her voice returned, and the cool breeze fanned her pale cheeks back to the wonted glow of youth. In May, 1869, they started for their Illinois home by wagon, traveling by day and camping out by night, until they reached home in September, having been absent four years and four months. After spending seven years there, they decided to come to Nebraska and arrived in York county in March, 1876. After looking around for a time, Mr. Walters purchased the southwest quarter of section 24, Henderson township, to which he has since added until he now has an excellent farm of four hundred and sixty acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with good buildings.
Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Walters, only four reached years of maturity, namely: Harvey L., who married Jane Davis, a daughter of George and Rebecca Davis; Clinton D., who married Alice Search, daughter of William and Salinda Search; Ezra P., who married Bina Hager, daughter of Oliver and Elizabeth Hager; and Frank E., who has been a wanderer for the past eight years, and when last heard from was in the gold fields of Klondike.
In early life Mr. Walters was a Democrat, and now votes with the Populists, being an enthusiastic believer in the free and unlimited coinage of silver. His first vote was cast for James Buchanan in 1856, his last for W. J. Bryan in 1896. Though not members of any religious denominatian (sic), he and his wife are believers in the Christian religion, and they enjoy the respect and esteem of all who know them.
Contributor: Janice T.
WILLIAM WALTERS.--Among the successful and progressive farmers of York county, the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch holds a prominent place. For almost thirty years he has now made his home in this section of the state, and to-day owns and successfully operates a fine farm on section 24, Henderson township.
Mr. Walters was born in Fulton county, Illinois, September 26, 1832, a son of William and Elizabeth (Royer) Walters, the former of German and the later of Irish descent, though the Royers were originally from England. In the old country and in America, the family have principally followed agricultural pursuits. During his minority and up to the time of his marriage our subject lived upon his father's farm ten miles north of Vermont. At the age of twenty-one he decided to marry, and on the 22nd of December, 1853, led to the marriage altar Miss Marietta Shields, a daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth (Sivly) Shields, and granddaughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Harvey) Sivly, who were of German lineage and farming people, while the Shields were of Irish origin and merchants by occupation.
Mr. and Mrs. Walters had known each other from early childhood, their homes being in the same neighborhood. For a year after his marriage he continued to work on his father's farm, and then purchased a small farm in McDonough county, Illinois, which he operated until 1864.
Owing to the ill health of his wife, he rented his place, and, accompanied by her mother and stepfather, they started by wagons to the Pacific coast. After spending the winter at Walla Walla, Washington, Mrs. Walters and her four children started on a visit to her mother, who had located fifteen miles west of Portland, Oregon. By wagon they proceeded to a landing on the Columbia river, and then went down that stream by boat, while Mr. Walters returned to Walla Walla and engaged in freighting between that point and Boise City, Idaho, with oxen. He remained in this mountainous region eighteen months and then joined his family in Oregon. With them he then started for the Grand Round valley in the Blue mountains, and on this trip made his way from peak to valley and from valley to peak across the Cascade mountains until he at last reached his destination, traveling and camping in the wilds where no foot of man had ever trod. In this way they passed months along the valley streams, which were filled with mountain trout and salmon, camping now on grassy mountains and now between great rocks, where the sough of the pines mingled with the murmur of the brooklets. At length Mrs. Walters began to creep back to health, her hand grew stronger, her eye grew brighter, the music of her voice returned, and the cool breeze fanned her pale cheeks back to the wonted glow of youth. In May, 1869, they started for their Illinois home by wagon, traveling by day and camping out by night, until they reached home in September, having been absent four years and four months. After spending seven years there, they decided to come to Nebraska and arrived in York county in March, 1876. After looking around for a time, Mr. Walters purchased the southwest quarter of section 24, Henderson township, to which he has since added until he now has an excellent farm of four hundred and sixty acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with good buildings.
Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Walters, only four reached years of maturity, namely: Harvey L., who married Jane Davis, a daughter of George and Rebecca Davis; Clinton D., who married Alice Search, daughter of William and Salinda Search; Ezra P., who married Bina Hager, daughter of Oliver and Elizabeth Hager; and Frank E., who has been a wanderer for the past eight years, and when last heard from was in the gold fields of Klondike.
In early life Mr. Walters was a Democrat, and now votes with the Populists, being an enthusiastic believer in the free and unlimited coinage of silver. His first vote was cast for James Buchanan in 1856, his last for W. J. Bryan in 1896. Though not members of any religious denominatian (sic), he and his wife are believers in the Christian religion, and they enjoy the respect and esteem of all who know them.
Contributor: Janice T.
Mr. Walters was born in Fulton county, Illinois, September 26, 1832, a son of William and Elizabeth (Royer) Walters, the former of German and the later of Irish descent, though the Royers were originally from England. In the old country and in America, the family have principally followed agricultural pursuits. During his minority and up to the time of his marriage our subject lived upon his father's farm ten miles north of Vermont. At the age of twenty-one he decided to marry, and on the 22nd of December, 1853, led to the marriage altar Miss Marietta Shields, a daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth (Sivly) Shields, and granddaughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Harvey) Sivly, who were of German lineage and farming people, while the Shields were of Irish origin and merchants by occupation.
Mr. and Mrs. Walters had known each other from early childhood, their homes being in the same neighborhood. For a year after his marriage he continued to work on his father's farm, and then purchased a small farm in McDonough county, Illinois, which he operated until 1864.
Owing to the ill health of his wife, he rented his place, and, accompanied by her mother and stepfather, they started by wagons to the Pacific coast. After spending the winter at Walla Walla, Washington, Mrs. Walters and her four children started on a visit to her mother, who had located fifteen miles west of Portland, Oregon. By wagon they proceeded to a landing on the Columbia river, and then went down that stream by boat, while Mr. Walters returned to Walla Walla and engaged in freighting between that point and Boise City, Idaho, with oxen. He remained in this mountainous region eighteen months and then joined his family in Oregon. With them he then started for the Grand Round valley in the Blue mountains, and on this trip made his way from peak to valley and from valley to peak across the Cascade mountains until he at last reached his destination, traveling and camping in the wilds where no foot of man had ever trod. In this way they passed months along the valley streams, which were filled with mountain trout and salmon, camping now on grassy mountains and now between great rocks, where the sough of the pines mingled with the murmur of the brooklets. At length Mrs. Walters began to creep back to health, her hand grew stronger, her eye grew brighter, the music of her voice returned, and the cool breeze fanned her pale cheeks back to the wonted glow of youth. In May, 1869, they started for their Illinois home by wagon, traveling by day and camping out by night, until they reached home in September, having been absent four years and four months. After spending seven years there, they decided to come to Nebraska and arrived in York county in March, 1876. After looking around for a time, Mr. Walters purchased the southwest quarter of section 24, Henderson township, to which he has since added until he now has an excellent farm of four hundred and sixty acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with good buildings.
Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Walters, only four reached years of maturity, namely: Harvey L., who married Jane Davis, a daughter of George and Rebecca Davis; Clinton D., who married Alice Search, daughter of William and Salinda Search; Ezra P., who married Bina Hager, daughter of Oliver and Elizabeth Hager; and Frank E., who has been a wanderer for the past eight years, and when last heard from was in the gold fields of Klondike.
In early life Mr. Walters was a Democrat, and now votes with the Populists, being an enthusiastic believer in the free and unlimited coinage of silver. His first vote was cast for James Buchanan in 1856, his last for W. J. Bryan in 1896. Though not members of any religious denominatian (sic), he and his wife are believers in the Christian religion, and they enjoy the respect and esteem of all who know them.
Contributor: Janice T.
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