Will County ILGenWeb Biographies..... ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. ************************************************ File contributed for use by: Dori Leekly & Margie Glenn Author: History of Will County IL, 1878 Michael WALTER, grocery merchant, Lockport; was born in Kleinuelzheim, Germany, Dec. 6, 1838; in 1851, came to America, and settled in Geneva, Kane Co.; in 1853, engaged in learning the shoemaker's trade at St. Charles; in the winter of 1855, worked at his trade in Batavia; next to Dixon, Lee Co., a short time, and in August, 1856, came to Lockport, followed his trade a short time, and then entered the employ of J. S. FINCH, as clerk in his grocery store; was in his employ one year, and then clerked in the clothing store of N. S. RAFFERTY six months; he opened out a saloon for himself, but not liking the business, sold out in 1859, and went to Pike's Peak; invested all his funds in a sluice, and after one month's labor had as a reward for capital and toil invested, a goose-quill of gold, valued at 40 cents; returned to Lockport, and worked at his trade again, April 15, 1861; enlisted in Capt. Hawley's Battery ; three month's service; Aug. 31, re-enlisted in the three years' service in Capt. Dressers' Battery; was mustered out Oct. 5, 1864 ; participated in the battles of Forts Henry and Donelson, in the battle of Shiloh and the siege of Corinth; in the spring of 1865, he engaged in the grocery trade with his brother ; in a short time his brother retired, and the firm of Walter & Bohle was formed; in 1872, he started in the dry goods business alone, and failed in October, 1873; in the spring of 1874, went to Lemont and superintended a general merchandise store for J. A. BOYER; May 22, 1875, opened out his present grocery store in Lockport. Was married Oct. 19, 1865, to Margaret PITTS, a native of Germany; has eight children. Additional Comments: HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS; Chicago: Wm LeBaron Jr & Co, 186 Dearborn Street, 1878.