Bio of BADGER, Walter L. (b.1868), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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WALTER L. BADGER - Vol. II, pg 230-233
The qualities of leadership are possessed by Walter L. Badger. Without the
desire for domination in any particular field, he has nevertheless forged to the
front as the result of his capability in the field in which he labors, until
today his opinions are accepted as authority in real estate circles and by the
general public concerning property interests, both business and residential, in
Minneapolis. Throughout his career he has displayed a marked devotion and
loyalty to the city and its upbuilding and improvement, and this has been
manifest in many tangible ways, leading to municipal reform and to the adoption
of high civic standards.
Walter L. Badger comes to Minnesota from the neighboring state of Wisconsin, his
birth having occurred in Pond du Lac, May 27, 1868. He is a son of George A. and
Harriet E. (Hastings) Badger, who were natives of Massachusetts and
representatives of old New England families. Both were born in the city of
Amherst and there the father pursued his education and made his initial step in
business. After attaining his majority he became associated with his father,
George Badger, Sr., in the lumber trade and for many years devoted his attention
to that line of business. Removing westward, he resided for a number of years in
Wisconsin and then came to Minneapolis in 1878, spending his remaining days in
this city, his death occurring in 1902.
The removal of the family from Fond du Lac to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, during the
early boyhood of Walter L. Badger occasioned him to become a pupil in the public
schools of the latter city, which he attended until 1878, and then as a youth of
ten years he came with his parents to Minneapolis, where he devoted the three
succeeding years to further study. He was a lad of but thirteen, however, when
he put aside his textbooks in order to provide for his own support, securing the
position of office boy with a real estate firm. He found his task congenial and
the business to his liking and throughout the intervening years to the present
time he has continued in the same field of labor. He established business on his
own account in 1886 and four years later he became identified with the firm of
Corser & Company as a special partner. That connection was continued until 1896,
when he left the firm again to engage in business independently, and in 1912 he
incorporated his interests under the name of the Walter L. Badger Company,
admitting to a partnership Frederick T. Krafft and Edson J. Kellogg, who had for
a number of years been in his employ. The firm today enjoys a high position in
realty circles, its enterprise and progressiveness being tempered by a safe
conservatism that makes for substantial development and permanency in real
estate matters. The company buys and sells property extensively and has made a
specialty of managing large estates and office buildings, in which connection a
business of gratifying proportions has been built up, and it acts as Minneapolis
representative of a number of eastern clients. The firm has largely contributed
to the development of Seventh street as a business district. About 1901 Mr.
Badger purchased property on this thoroughfare, for which he paid two hundred
and twenty-five dollars per foot, and today the same property would bring five
thousand dollars per front foot. He began erect-ing business blocks before
tenants were secured and in a few cases gave free rent until firms could get
started in business at the new location. The Walter L. Badger Company has also
specialized in the development of Hennepin Avenue properties.
In October, 1890, was celebrated the marriage of Walter L. Badger and Miss Anna
Dawson of Keokuk, Iowa, a daughter of James and Rosa (Hammel) Dawson. They
became parents of two sons: Lester R., who is now vice president of the Walter
L. Badger Company; and Norman D., who died in 1902. Mr. Badger is a member of
the Masonic fraternity and belongs also to the Minneapolis, Minikahda, Athletic
and Lafayette clubs. His religious faith is indicated by his connection with the
Plymouth Congregational church, in the work of which he takes an active and
helpful interest. His political allegiance has always been given to the
republican party where national questions and issues are involved, but at local
elections he does not hesitate to cast an independent vote if his judgment so
dictates. His foremost interest is the welfare and upbuilding of the city and
the direction of activities into those channels through which flows the greatest
and most permanent good to the greatest number. His cooperation has therefore
been given along many lines of activity for the city's benefit and his strong
purpose, his energy and his zeal in public affairs have been far-reaching and
resultant.