Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Walter, Michael 1838 - 
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Author: Portrait & Biographical Album, 1890

MICHAEL WALTER. 

No better example of pluck amid discouragements can be found than in the life 
of this gentleman, who is a prominent grocery man of Lockport. His industry is 
tireless, his integrity beyond question, and his personal popularity almost 
unbounded. He is liberal-hearted, generous to a fault, his good traits of head 
and heart win for him the respect and friendship of all who know him, while in 
citizenship he is progressive and energetic. Mr. Walter was born in 
Kleinwelzheim, Germany, December 6, 1838, but became a resident of America in 
1851. He learned the trade of a shoemaker but after working at it for 
sometime, he became a clerk in the store of J. S. Finch, subsequently finding 
employment with N. S. Rafferty, who was engaged in the clothing business. 
Tiring of indoor life young Walter left Lockport in 1859, and went to Pike's 
Peak where he endured all the hardships which were to be met with in the rough 
mining camps. He returned to Lockport with but little to show for his peril 
and toil, except the experience of human nature which he had gained. The smoke 
of the shots upon Ft. Sumter had scarcely disappeared, when at the first call 
for volunteers young Walter answered by enrolling his name in a Lockport 
artillery company. The date of his enlistment was April 19, 1861, and the term 
three months. At the expiration of that time he re-enlisted as a member of 
Dresser's Battery, and was assigned to duty in Battery D, Second Artillery. 
During the severe campaigns of that battery he was never absent from his post 
of duty. The battery was organized at Cairo and mustered into service in 
December, 1861, beginning their active work at Ft. Donalson, where they 
participated in the entire siege. They then went to Pittsburg Landing and on 
the Friday preceding the great battle took up their position, being in 
constant readiness until the opening of the fierce conflict Sunday, December 
6. Battery D was one of those that formed on the advanced line within one 
hundred yards of Shiloh Church and was not surprised at the first onset of the 
enemy. Battery D accompanied Gen. Grant to Corinth and subsequently went with 
Col. Ben Grierson on his famous raid, after which they did post duty until 
ordered to join the expedition against Vicksburg. They accompanied Sherman on 
his march from Vicksburg to Meridian, Miss., and until mustered out of the 
service November 21, 1864, Mr. Walter took part in all the marches, raids and 
battles in which the battery participated. His record for bravery and devotion 
to duty was second to none, and he received the commendation of his superior 
officers and the good will of his comrades. At the close of the war Mr. Walter 
again returned to Lockport and engaged in business, first as a dealer in dry-
goods. Disposing of this business he went to Lemont to superintend a store and 
finally on May 25, 1875, he began the business in which he is at present 
engaged. He was married October 16, 1865, to Miss Margaret Pitts, a native of 
this county, who bore him ten children, nine of whom are living. Mrs. Walter 
died in 1881, and Mr. Walter was again married in June, 1887, to Miss Adline 
Heron. He is interested in the social orders, being both a Mason and Odd 
Fellow and is Commander of Gooding Post, G. A. R., at Lockport. 

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890

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