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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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History of Buffalo & Pepin Counties, Wisconsin - Vol. 1
pub. H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co., Winona, MN - 1919

         [page 193-194]
         
         FERDINAND WALTER, a well to do resident of Alma, Buffalo
       county, now retired after a long career of successful activity, 
       chiefly in farming, was born in Brandenburg, Germany, Sept. 8, 
       1842. His parents were JOHN and HENRIETTA (LANPAUL) WALTER, who 
       left their native land in 1858, spent five weeks and two days 
       on the ocean in a sailing vessel, and arrived in Buffalo City 
       in November. They were accompanied by their five children, GOT-
       TLIEB, JOHN, FERDINAND, AUGUSTUS and HENRIETTA. The father had 
       been a farmer in Germany and he continued in that occupation 
       here, though under very different conditions. His farm was a 
       tract of 120 acres, on which stood a small shanty, which was 
       the first dwelling of the family. Afterwards better buildings 
       were erected and in course of time he became prosperous. Neither 
       he nor his wife attained old age, as he was not quite 60 years 
       old when he died, while his wife passed away at the age of 50. 
       FERDINAND WALTER was in his sixteenth year when he came to this 
       country, and already had received what schooling he ever had. 
       As the son of a pioneer farmer he had few idle hours, working 
       on the parental homestead until the age of 17, and then chop-
       ping wood and working in lumber camps. After some time spent 
       in this manner, during which, with eye to the future, he saved 
       what money he could, he bought 80 acres of wild land in Alma 
       township and began to hew his way to fortune. Building a log
       house, 18 by 24 feet in size, he led a bachelor's life for one 
       year, and was then married, Sept. 27, 1863, to MARY RISTOW, who 
       was born in Pommern, Germany, May 18, 1848, and was twelve years 
       old when she came to Lincoln township, this county, with her 
       parents, JOHAN and MARY RISTOW. For 25 years MR. WALTER resided 
       on his original farm, adding to its size until he had 400 acres 
       of land, and erecting good buildings from time to time as they 
       were required. He then sold the place and came to Alma, where 
       he started a butcher business, which he carried on for four 
       years. Then buying another farm, of 160 acres, 80 in the city 
       of Alma and 80 acres in the township, he gave his attention to 
       dairying and was engaged in the milk business for 20 years. 
       Having by that time accumulated a competency, he sold his farm, 
       bought city property, and has since led a retired life, enjoying 
       the fruits of his former industry and thrift. Since coming to 
       Alma he has served three years as alderman. He and his wife have 
       been the parents of an exceptionally large family, numbering 17 
       children, whose names, with dates of birth, are as follows: IDA, 
       March 30, 1865; JULIANA, Jan. 31, 1867; JOHN, April 23, 1868; 
       LOUISE, Dec. 23, 1870; FERDINAND, JR., Sept. 26,1872; ROBERT, 
       June 8, 1874; OTTO (deceased), Jan. 18, 1875; GUSTAVE, Septem-
       ber 27, 1877; ALBERT, March 15, 1879; MARY, Feb. 25, 1881; 
       ALVINA, June 8, 1883; SELENA, April 9, 1885; ODELIA, Dec. 10, 
       1887; EDWARD, Jan. 17, 1890; HERMAN, Dec. 8, 1892; AMANDA, 
       January 25, 1893.
       
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