Biography - Joseph Walers
Joseph WALERS, farmer, P. O. Morrisonville, was born in the Parish of Christ Church, South Wales, Great Britain, March 18, 1835, where he received a common school education, and at the age of sixteen years was apprenticed to learn the trade of boiler-making, at which occupation he was engaged about four years. Arnold WALERS, the father of our subject, was also a native of South Wales, and was a railroad and turnpike contractor by occupation. His death occurred in about 1843, aged fifty-three years. His wife, Mary PIERSON, was also a native of South Wales. She died March 5, 1855, aged about fifty-five years. The result of this union was five children, viz.: Henry, a contractor by occupation, and was assisting in constructing the railroad across the Isthmus of Panama, when he was taken sick with the yellow fever, and died in 1863; John, an attache of the British Navy, supposed to be still living; Maria, wife of John GREEN, now living in South Wales; Ann, wife of William BAILEY, living in South Wales. Joseph, the subject of this sketch, at the age of twenty years, emigrated to America, and eventually went to New Jersey, where his brother Henry was at that time engaged in constructing turnpikes; Joseph also engaged in the same occupation, at which he remained about four years, at the end of which time he turned his face toward the setting sun, and eventually located in Jersey County, Ill., where he took upon himself the duties of a farm life. In the fall of 1866, he purchased the property upon which he now resides, and removed with his family to their future home in Rountree Township, where he has since remained engaged in agricultural pursuits. His original purchase consisted of ninety acres, to which he has continued to add until now he has the satisfaction of conducting a farm consisting of about one hundred and seventy-five acres of as choice and well-cultivated farm land as can be found in Rountree Township, the result of energy, enterprise and thorough business habits; being a progressive man himself, he is fully alive to all progressive movements favoring the prosperity of the county, and for the advancement of religious and educational privileges. He is now filling the office of Justice of the Peace, the duties of which office he has performed two terms previous to the present, and which duties he has performed with honesty and integrity, and in a manner approved by all the people. He was married in New Jersey, to Delilah CONNOVAR, who was born in New Jersey to Peter CONNOVAR, native of New Jersey, deceased, in August, 1835. She is the mother of three children, viz.: Mary, wife of Frank McNORTON, living in Rountree Township; Emma, wife of John McCALLUM, living near the homestead; Hattie, single, living at home. Mr. WALERS is identified with the Democratic party, and is always interested in the political issues of the times.
Extracted 22 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1882 History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2 Biographical Department, pages 280-281.
