CLARK WALTER.
In this day of international warfare one is apt to think back over the history of the country to see what is the American record in times of strife. History presents many tales of heroism, showing that the American character is one that measures up to full standards of loyalty, of duty and of courage. Among those who fought for the preservation of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war was Clark Walter, who is now a retired farmer residing in Walla Walla.
Mr. Walter was born near South Bend, Indiana, on the 7th of April, 1841, a son of Lucius and Adaline (Fellows) Walter, the former a native of the state of New York, while the latter was probably born in Connecticut. They were married in the Empire state and became parents of two children there before they removed to Michigan about 1839 or 1840. The mother's people had preceded them to that state but after a brief period passed in Michigan, Mr. and Mrs. Walter went to Indiana, establishing their home near Notre Dame. At a later period, however, they returned to Michigan, where the death of the mother occurred in 1853. The father afterward married Miss Anna Dopp and continued to reside in Michigan until called to the home beyond.
MR. AND MRS. CLARK WALTER
Clark Walter was reared in that state and pursued a common school education there. He was twenty years of age when in April, 1861, he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting for three months as a member of the Second Michigan Infantry. It was soon seen, however, that the war was to be no mere holiday affair and he offered his services for three years, joining the army on the 30th of July, 1861, in response to the call for three years' men. He was mustered in as a member of Company A, Sixth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and at Baltimore, Maryland, was assigned to General Dixie's command. The army remained in Baltimore until February, 1862, when they were sent to Fort Monroe and afterward to Ship Island in the Gulf of Mexico for the attack on New Orleans. After General Farragut's capture of New Orleans they went on transports up the river to Vicksburg and later returned to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. On the 14th of October, 1862, Mr. Walter was honorably discharged from the service on account of disability. He had participated in a number of important engagements and at all times had proven his marked loyalty to the cause which he espoused.
After receiving an honorable discharge Mr. Walter returned to Michigan and in 1864 he crossed the plains to California, making the trip for the benefit of his health, which was still impaired because of the rigors of his military service. In the fall of 1865 he returned eastward as far as Minnesota, taking up his abode in Dakota county. He afterward removed to Sibley county, that state. He had married in Michigan in 1864, prior to crossing the plains, and with his family he continued his residence in Minnesota until 1877, when he once more crossed the plains, this time accompanied by his wife and three children. Arriving in Oregon, he settled near Athena in Umatilla county, where he purchased a quarter section of railroad land and began farming. He had used his homestead right in Minnesota, but the grasshopper scourge which continued for four years in that state caused him to lose all that he had, so that he came to Oregon with but very little money. He acquired two hundred and forty acres in his home place, on which he resided until 1898, when he removed to Walla Walla in order to give his children the advantages offered by the city schools. He has here since made his home and is one of the valued and respected residents.
On the 7th of March, 1864, Mr. Walter was united in marriage to Miss Hannah B. Kinsey, and they became the parents of eight children, six of whom still survive, namely: Mabel L., who is the wife of Dr. J. A. Moffitt, of Sacramento, California; Charles A., who follows farming in Walla Walla county; Edith, who is a Sister of St. Francis in the convent at Pendleton and is a painter and musician of ability, teaching both arts at the convent; John C., who operates a farm of his own and also his father's place in Umatilla county, Oregon; Francis H., who is a resident of Pierce county, Washington; and Gertrude, who is the wife of Elmer T. Matheny, of Walla Walla.