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Albert F. Walters
Born August 20, 1856 |
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Albert F. Walters, a retired machinist of Onslow, is one of the well known and esteemed residents of the town. His birth occurred in Herkimer county, New York, on the 20th of August, 1856, his parents being David A. and Adaline (Hemingway) Walters, likewise natives of that county, where they were reared and married. In 1860, the father brought his family to Iowa, trading his New York farm for one hundred and sixty acres of land in Madison and Scotch Grove townships, Jones county. The grandfather had come to this county prior to 1860 and secured that quarter section. David A. Walters purchased an additional tract of forty acres, so that his farm comprised two hundred acres, in the cultivation of which he was actively engaged until December, 1877, when he disposed of the property and took up his abode in Onslow. For two years following his arrival here he successfully-conducted a lumberyard. He remained a resident of Onslow until called to his final rest on the 6th of September, 1896, passing away in his seventieth year. He was a stanch republican in politics but did not desire office as a reward for his party fealty. A worthy Christian gentleman, he was one of the founders of the Freewill Baptist church in Clay township. He was made a Mason in 1868 and was one of the charter members of Onslow Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The period of his residence in this county covered more than a third of a century and he was widely recognized as one of its respected and representative citizens. His wife was called to her final rest on the 26th of February, 1904, when seventy-nine years of age.
Albert F. Walters, who obtained his education in the common schools, was a young man of twenty-one years when he came with his parents to Onslow, where he was associated with his father in the lumber business for a short time. In 1880 he made his way to Elgin, Illinois, where for two years he was employed in the Elgin watch works. Subsequently he went to Springfield, Illinois, where he was employed in a watch factory for a similar period, while afterward he spent two years in a watch factory at Aurora, Illinois. His next removal was to Rockford, Illinois, where he worked in the watch factory for a period of ten years. He was thoroughly familiar with all the mechanical parts necessary in the construction of a watch and during more than twelve of the eighteen years, which he spent in the manufacture of watches had charge of one or another of the various departments. In October, 1893, work at the watch factory having been suspended, Mr. Walters went to Belvidere, where he secured employment with the National Sewing Machine Company, remaining with that concern for about a year. He next made his way to Richmond, Indiana, and for two years acted as superintendent of a bicycle factory there. His health failing, he then returned to Jones county, Iowa, and purchased the old Walters homestead, on which he had been reared to manhood and which still remains in his possession. He did not take up his abode on the farm, however, but resided in Onslow until October, 1901, when he again went to Rockford, Illinois, working in the watch factory there until January, 1903. Subsequently he went to Belvidere, Illinois, as superintendent of the automobile factory and in July, 1903, secured a position in the small arms department of the Rock Island arsenal, there remaining for three years. In 1906, he was taken ill and came to Onslow, intending to resume his work as soon as he was able. His position was held for him for almost a year, but the condition of his health has been such as to prevent his return to active labor and he has lived retired.
On the 3d of July, 1880, Mr. Walters was united in marriage to Miss Ella Plank, of Potter Brook, Pennsylvania. The two children born unto them are now deceased, the daughter, Marlan H., passing away at the age of eleven years.
In his political views Mr. Walters is a stanch republican, while fraternally he is identified with Keystone Lodge, No. 206, F.&A.M., of Wyoming. Both he and his wife are widely and favorably known throughout the community, having won the unqualified confidence and regard of all with whom they have come in contact.
Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 126. |
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