Wasco County OR Archives Biographies.....Walther, William E. January 28, 1862 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ila Wakley iwakley@msn.com October 22, 2009, 1:49 pm Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 48-51 Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company WILLIAM E. WALTHER has made his own way in the world, demonstrating what may be accomplished when effort and ambition combine, and is a recognized leader in mercantile circles of The Dalles, which for forty years has numbered him among its loyal citizens. A native of Leipzig, Germany, he was born January 28, 1862, and his parents, Gustav and Wilhelmina (Traetner) Walther, lived in that country until 1883, when they crossed the Atlantic. They located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and for two years the father worked in a trunk factory in that city, then went to California, purchasing a ranch near San Diego, and started a vineyard. For many years he cultivated the land, producing grapes of fine quality, and after his retirement moved to Los Angeles. His demise occurred in that city but Mrs. Walther passed away in San Diego. To them were born three children: Adolph, who lives at The Dalles; Theodore, who is the proprietor of a large grocery store in San Diego; and William E. Reared in the kingdom of Saxony, William E. Walther received a public school education and for three years was an apprentice in a dry goods store at Zwickau. His employer allowed him a room and board but he received no wages. When a young man of nineteen he responded to the call of adventure and came to the United States. He worked for a few years in a trunk factory at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and in 1885 journeyed to the Pacific coast. For a time he followed the trade of painting at San Diego, California, and then became a waiter in the restaurant of the old Horton House, now known as the Grand, the city's finest hotel. Owing to his propensity for breaking dishes Mr. Walther lost the job and was next employed in a laundry. Through the exercise of the qualities of thrift and self-denial he had accumulated a small capital and this enabled him to purchase a tract of wild land, for which he paid five hundred dollars. On this place, which was located in El Cajon valley, near San Diego, he planted a vineyard, which he cultivated for three years, and then sold the property for three thousand dollars, receiving a large return from his investment. In 1888 he revisited Wisconsin but the Pacific northwest made a strong appeal to him and he returned to the coast, this time proceeding to Seattle, Washington. From there he traveled to Oregon, looking over the City of Portland, and finally purchased a ranch in the vicinity of Centerville, Washington. After raising one crop of grain he decided that he was not adapted to agricultural pursuits and sold the farm. In the spring of 1888 Mr. Walther came to The Dalles, obtaining work in the trunk factory of Charles Dietzel, who later made a fortune in the manufacturing business and who is now living retired in Pasadena. Later Mr. Walther became a clerk in a hardware store owned by William Stewart, a prominent business man of The Dalles, and at first received thirty-five dollars a month. Knowing that this sum was insufficient for the support of a family, his employer promptly increased the amount, paying him a monthly salary of sixty dollars. A year later Mr. Stewart sold his business to the firm of Mays & Crowe and Mr. Walther remained with them for ten years, at the end of which time he was receiving a monthly wage of two hundred dollars. In 1901 he opened a hardware store at The Dalles with the financial assistance of Felix Sexton, whose status was that of a silent partner. From the start the venture was a success and five years later they became the owners of a desirable business block on Second street, paying twenty-five thousand dollars for the property. In 1906 the business was incorporated under the name of the Walther Williams Hardware Company. Edward M. Williams, trustee of the Williams estate, acquired an interest in the business, which has since been continued under the style of the Walther-Williams Hardware & Implement Company. Mr. Walther is president and general manager of the firm, which carries a full line of heavy hardware and farm machinery of all kinds. In 1911 Mr. Walther decided to broaden the scope of the undertaking and entered the automobile business, leasing a large building across the street from the hardware store. The company acquired the local agency for the Studebaker and Overland cars and in 1914 became distributors for the Dodge cars in eleven counties of eastern Oregon. They carry a complete stock of automobile accessories and have a large garage. In addition they operate two well equipped service stations in The Dalles and likewise own several valuable business blocks in the city. Methodical and systematic, Mr. Walther closely supervises the work of every department and under his expert management the business has grown to extensive proportions. The firm has always adhered to a high standard of commercial ethics and a well deserved reputation for honest, straightforward dealing is its most valuable asset. In 1883 Mr. Walther was married in Wisconsin to Miss Susan Heitz, a daughter of Gregor and Caroline Heitz, who are deceased. Mrs. Walther was born in Oshkosh and passed away in December, 1922. She had become the mother of three children, all of whom received a good education. The eldest, Harry E., who was born in Oshkosh and is associated with his father in business, is married and has three children, Elizabeth, Harry and Winifred. The daughter, May, was born in The Dalles and is the widow of Major H. H. Roberts, a graduate of West Point Military Academy who was an engineer of high standing and built the Celilo canal while in the service of the government. Mrs. Robert has two sons, Henry H. and William Joseph. The other daughter, Gertrude Walther, is living in Portland, Oregon. In 1923 Mr. Walther married Mrs. Emily McGrath, the widow of Dr. P. J. McGrath, who was a prominent physician of Los Angeles, California. His son, Theodore McGrath, is a capable young business man and has charge of the Walther-Williams service stations at The Dalles. He belongs to the Masonic order and is also a member of the Lions Club and Elks. His daughter, Geraldine McGrath, is in high school. Mr. Walther is a Kiwanian and is also affiliated with The Dalles Golf and Country Club. For over thirty-two years he has been connected with the Knights of Pythias and is also identified with the local camp of the Woodmen of the World and Elks Lodge, No. 303. The Chamber of Commerce likewise numbers Mr. Walther among its enterprising members and although he has neither sought nor held public office, he has rendered service of value to the city, whose welfare and prosperity are matters close to his heart. He has worthily earned the distinctive title of "self-made man" and the respect accorded him is well deserved. Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/wasco/photos/bios/walther871gbs.jpg photo size 115 Kb File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/wasco/bios/walther871gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 7.5 Kb