BIOGRAPHY: John W. WALTERS, Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 296-7
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JOHN W. WALTERS, a leading lumber dealer and a citizen highly respected in 
Johnstown, this county, is the son of Rev. Philip and Magdalene (Thomas) 
Walters, and was born October 16, 1861, in Llangadock, Wales. He is the nearest 
living descendant of the great Welsh hymnologist, Williams, Pantycelyn, whose 
hymns are sung by all the Welsh churches all over the world. 
     He was the first member of his immediate family to come to this country. He 
was reared in his native country and profited by a limited education obtained in 
the schools of that country. He remained there until April, 1883, when, desiring 
to broaden the field for his individual operations, he crossed the Atlantic and 
sought a home and employment on the hospitable shores of America. He came 
directly to Johnstown, where he has lived ever since. For one year he held a 
responsible position as book-keeper for T. R. Marshall, a large lumber-dealer of 
that place. Being apt in his comprehension of business details, he soon mastered 
sufficient of them to give him confidence in his ability to pursue a like 
business upon his own account. Accordingly, in 1884, he went into the lumbering 
business with R. R. Thomas, under the firm-name of Thomas & Walters, which 
business was pursued as such with success and profit until 1896, when Mr. 
Walters succeeded to the business, and is now sole owner. He carries on a 
wholesale and retail lumbering business, and by close application to the same, 
and the enforcement of strict business principles, is building up a good trade. 
     In addition to the above he is secretary of the Bronlas Quarry company, of 
Johnstown. This company was organized for the purpose of dealing in Ligonier 
granite, paving-blocks, ballast, concrete and building -stones. Politically Mr. 
Walters has always been a staunch republican, but has never entered actively the 
arena of politics. 
     On December 20, 1888, Mr. Walters and Emma, a daughter of Fred Krebs, of 
Johnstown, were united in marriage, and this marital union has resulted in the 
birth of three children: Freda, born November 6, 1889; Albert, born June 25, 
1893; and Margaret, August 30, 1894.