David Walters, the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Paradise township, has continuously resided thereon for the past three decades. His birth occurred in Wales on the 23d of April, 1841, his parents being John and Elizabeth (Richards) Walters, who were born, reared and married in that country. In 1853 the father brought his family to the United States, locating in Danville, Pennsylvania, where he made his home until 1860. In that year he removed to Fallbrook, Pennsylvania, and there resided until 1865, when he went to Brookville, Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1887. He was a coal miner in his native land and during his residence in America also worked as a coal and ore miner. The demise of his wife occurred in Crawford county, Iowa, in 1891. Their children were seven in number, namely: David, of this review; Margaret, the wi/e of Alex Allen, of Oliver Springs, Tennessee; Thomas, who is a resident of Florence, Colorado; Samuel, living in New Castle, Colorado; John, of Palmer, Nebraska; and James and William, who are deceased.
David Walters had no opportunity to acquire an education in early life. In the mines of Wales a miner could not always get as many cars as he could fill, and when our subject was five years old he went with his father to the mines to claim his share of cars. At the age of seven he began to use the pick and when a lad of eight could claim a half turn of cars. When twelve years of age he took a job of driving mules in the mines, being thus employed until his emigration to the new world. Here he took charge of a stationary engine at Danville, Pennsylvania, hoisting iron ore, which position he held for about four years. On the expiration of that period he returned to mining and was thus busily employed until 1881, when he came to Iowa, locating on the farm in Paradise township, Crawford county, which has remained his place of abode continuously since. The property comprises one hundred and twenty acres of rich and ^productive land and has been well improved in every particular. Mr. Walters’ undertakings as an agriculturist have been attended with a gratifying measure of success and he has long been numbered among the substantial and esteemed citizens of the community.
In 1880 Mr. Walters was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Morgans, a native of Wales and a daughter of John and Hannah (Davis) Morgans, who were likewise born in that country. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1872, locating in Brookville, Ohio. Mrs. Morgans died in 1878, while Mr. Morgans was called to his final rest in 1889, passing away in Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania. The latter was a coal miner and the father of three children, as follows: Mrs. Walters; John, who died in 1878; and Thomas, who is a resident of Franklin, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Walters are the parents of four children, namely: Anna, the wife of Carl Nicholson, of Bloomfield, Nebraska; and David J., William T. and Bessie, all yet at home.
Mr. Walters gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has held the office of school director. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Baptist church, to which his wife and children also belong. He was formerly connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His life has been one of industry and his unfaltering labor and intelligent management of his business affairs have brought him substantial and well merited prosperity. Moreover his personal qualities insure him the high regard and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact.