Bio: Walter, Mr./Mrs. Otto F. (7 Oct. 1937)

Contact:  Crystal Wendt

Surnames: Walter, Degener, Allen, Lange, Belden, Schoengarth

----Sources: Neillsville Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 7 Oct. 1937

Daughter Gives Joint Birthday Party Sunday

Mr. Otto F. Walter and his wife, Augusta Walter who live at 310 S. Grand Avenue, had a joint birthday party, Sunday, October 3, given by their daughter, Mrs. Hulda Degener.

Mr. Otto Walter, the oldest living resident of Neillsville, was 93 at his last birthday anniversary, September 30, and Mrs. Walter was 82 on Sept. 14.

At the dinner party given in their honor was Albert Walter and his wife, Sarah and their son Leslie; Albert Degener and his wife, Hulda; and L. A. Allen.

Five of Mr. and Mrs. Walter’s seven children are still living: Mrs. Hula Degener, Neillsville; Albert Walter, Neillsville; Otto J. Walter, Hillsdale, Mich.; Mrs. Melvina Lange, St. Paul, Minn.; Mrs. Pauline Belden, Dickinson, N. Dak.

There are twelve grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild now living. Mr. Walter is the last of his family and Mrs. Walter whose maiden name was Augusta Schoengarth is the only one living in her family. Her last two brothers, Frederick Schoengarth and William Schoengarth passed away in 1936.

Mr. Walter came to this country when he was quite young on a sailing vessel from Havre, France, being a native of Saxony, Germany. Upon arrival in New York, his family went directly to a farm near West Bend, Washington County, Wis., where his parents lived for some years and died about the ages of 70. Mr. and Mrs. Walter were married December 26, 1873 having come to Clark County in 1870.

They lived on his farm in a one room shack seven and one-half miles south east of Neillsville, Wis. There a daughter was born and the family gradually grew as the farm was cleared and grew in size. Their later home was built on the south side of the road and in 1896 the present dwelling was erected, of brick made in the brickyard owned by Mrs. Walter’s brother, August Schoengarth, father of the present County Probate Judge, Oscar W. Schoengarth.

Mr. Walter was Town Treasurer of Grant in the early 80’s also a school officer for several terms. He also sold insurance and was the first salesman of hay rakes and reapers in the town of Grant.

They moved to Neillsville in September 1914 and are not quietly enjoying the Indian summer of their lives.

They have a large circle of acquaintances and friends who remember their years of toil, thrift, graciousness and hospitality. Their friends are now wishing them continued health and happiness through the sunset.

Mrs. Walter is a great lover of flowers and delighted in gardening as long as she was able to work. She is noted for her kindness and generosity, her hospitality extending beyond her own home and family to all in the community who were in need.