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Joseph J. Walters
Born February 22, 1861 |
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Among the native sons of Jones county who are meeting with success in agricultural and stock-raising lines is Joseph J. Walters, who was born in Castle Grove township on the 22d of February, 1861. His parents were Thomas and Mary (Smye) Walters, both natives of County Cork, Ireland, the former born on the 10th of November, 1819, and the latter on the 19th of May, 1830. The father had come to America alone, hoping here to obtain better business advantages than were offered in the old country, and took up his abode in Boston for a time. The mother, who had lost both parents when only eight years of age, came to this country with a brother, landing in Boston, where she made the acquaintance of Mr. Walter. He made a trip to Jones county, Iowa, and upon his return to Boston was united in marriage on the 10th of May, 1857, to Miss Smye. Having been favorably impressed by the opportunities offered by the middle west, he again came to Jones county, Iowa, bringing his young bride with him, and for a few years both worked by the month in this county. Later Mr. Walters began working a farm on shares and in 1868, with the money which he had carefully saved from his earnings, he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land on sections 24 and 13, which tract formed the nucleus of the farm now owned by the subject of this review. They continued to make this their home up until the time of their death, and with the passing of the years they prospered, the father owning at the time of his death one hundred and ninety-three acres. He was called to his final rest on the 29th of December, 1893, while, his wife survived until July 2, 1909. Both had been reared in the faith of the Episcopal church but after their arrival in Jones county became identified with the United Brethren church here. The father was a republican in politics and was well known in the community where he made his home as a public-spirited citizen: and an honorable, upright gentleman. Our subject is the only child born unto this worthy couple.
Agricultural pursuits have characterized the entire business career of Joseph J. Walters, who spent the period of his boyhood and youth amid the scenes and environments of rural life. He acquired his education in the district schools and at the same time assisted in the work of the home farm, early becoming familiar with the best methods of carrying on agriculture. He continued to give his father the benefit of his aid up until the latter's death, when he took charge of the homestead and has since directed his energies toward its further development. That his early training in the occupation of farming was thorough and comprehensive is indicated in the fact that as the years have come and gone he has been most successful and has been able to add to his original holdings until today he is the owner of three hundred and eighty-seven acres of land all lying in one body on sections 24, and 13, and all under an excellent state of cultivation. The improvements on the place were all made by our subject, and his father, and the farm ranks among the valuable and desirable properties of the county. The former carries on general farming and stock-raising, and he also devotes some attention to the dairy business, keeping on hand twenty-six cows for that purpose. His various business interests are all carefully directed and are proving a source of most gratifying remuneration to him.
It was on the 26th of March, 1889, that Mr. Walters was united in marriage to Miss Cora A. Worster, who was born in Wayne township, Jones county, on the 21st of October, 1865. She is a daughter of Selim and Lucy (Ripley) Worster, natives of New England, their deaths occurring in Jones county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Walters have been born seven children, namely: Joseph Henry, Hattie May, William Worster, Mary Elizabeth, Cora Lucy, Nellie Miranda and John Waldo.
Mr. Walters gives his political support to the republican party but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him, as he prefers to concentrate his energies upon the conduct of his business affairs. He is not lax, however, in matters of citizenship, but on the other hand is ever ready to give his aid and cooperation to any movement which tends to benefit the community. He has gained an extensive circle of friends in the county within whose borders he has passed his entire life, and the fact that many of his best friends are those who have known him from his boyhood, is an indication of the fact that his salient characteristics are in harmony with the principles which govern honorable and upright manhood.
Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 314. |
 Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Walters and son, Joseph. | ||
© Copyright 1997-2013, The Art Department, © Copyright 2014-2020, Richard Harrison.
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