BIOGRAPHY: Henry Augustus WALTERS, Mifflin County, PA

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The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, Comprising 
the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, Pennsylvania.
Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, page 465.

  HENRY AUGUSTUS WALTERS, Lewistown, Mifflin county, Pa., was born at the 
Lewistown Narrows of the Juniata river, July 13, 1838, son of William and Mary 
(Clathans) Walters.  The family of Mr. and Mrs. William Walters consisted of 
these children:  Mary;  J. Harry;  George Clark, Jr.;  and Annie;  Anna; Mary, 
who died in early childhood; and Henry Augustus.  William Walters died in 
August, 1848.  Mrs. Walters, who was one of a family of ten, died December 22, 
1891.
  For a short time after leaving the public schools of Lewistown, where he had 
received his primary education, Henry Augustus Walters was a pupil in the 
academy at Lewistown.  But his father dying in the early prime of manhood, while 
Henry was as yet a lad of only twelve, and the family being dependent mainly on 
their own exertions, the boy could not be satisfied to remain at school, feeling 
himself a burden rather than a help to his mother.  He therefore left school and 
found employment in driving on the canal for Zechariah Warner, in which 
occupation he continued during two summers, regularly handing his wages to his 
mother.  He then entered the employ of Alfred Marks, with whom he remained for 
fourteen years, during part of which time he worked in Mr. Marks' four-mill at 
Lewistown.  When the war of the Rebellion broke out, Mr. Walters was among the 
first to enlist.  On April 18, 1861, he was enrolled in Company E, Twenty-fifth 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, known as the "Logan Guards," commanded by Capt. J. B. 
Selheimer.  Mr. Walters was sworn in for three months, was sent to Fort 
Washington, and was discharged at Harrisburg, Pa., in August, 1861.  Either 
before or after this patriotic service he ran a boat on the canal for William 
Willis during one season.  In the spring of 1866, aided financially by Mr. 
Willis, Mr. Walters bought a boat, and began running it on his own account.  He 
continued to do so until 1871. He then engaged in the teaming and sand business 
at Lewistown, and in the following year embarked in the grocery trade, in all 
his undertakings he met with the most gratifying and encouraging success.  In 
1890 he added investments in the coal and wood business, which, with his sand 
and lime interests, and his grocery store, covers nearly half a block in the 
west end of Lewistown.  This large and profitable trade, supported by a most 
extensive circle of patrons, has been built up by energy and application out of 
a beginning of nothing in the way of capital.  There is no need to point the 
moral of a life like that of Mr. Walters.  This and the many similar stories met 
with in life, dispose one to think that to be poor and faithful is the best 
start that any lad can have.  Mr. Walters is a member of Lodge No. 270, I. O. O. 
F., of the Lewistown Commandery, K. of M., of Lodge No. 270, K. of P., and of 
Colonel Hulings Post, No. 176, G. A. R., all of Lewistown.  His political views 
are Democratic.
  Henry Augustus Walters was married June 13, 1867, to Wilhelmina, daughter of 
Ferdinand and Eliza Solifelt, an adopted daughter of Noble and Mary Norton.  
Mrs. Walters' father, Mr. Solifelt, served in the Mexican war, and was killed 
while in the performance of his duty.  Mr. and Mrs. Solifelt had two children:  
George and Wilhelmina (Mrs. Walters).  The Walters family attend the Methodist 
Episcopal church.