An Illustrated History of Central Oregon, Western Historical Publishing Company, Spokane, WA. 1905, page 292-293. WILLIAM E. WALTHER, of the enterprising and progressive firm of Sexton & Walther, dealers in hardware, farming implements, wagons, carriages, etc., at The Dalles, was born in Saxony, Germany, January 28, 1862, the son of Gustav and Wilhelmina (Traetner), natives of Germany. The mother died in San Diego, California, in 1894; the father is now engaged in the hotel business in Redding, California. In May, 1881, accompanied by his brother, Adolph, our subject came to the United States, locating at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he was employed in a trunk factory. One year later the brothers were joined by their parents, and in the spring of 1885 the entire family migrated to San Diego, California. Our subject, his father and two brothers each purchased ten acres of wild land fifteen miles from San Diego, and planted vineyards. There Mr. Walther remained until the spring of 1888, when he came to The Dalles, following a short visit east. Ten years he was in the employment of Mays & Crowe, as manager and buyer, and his abilities won deserved recognition, not only from his employer, but from all with whom he was thrown in business relations. In 1901 Mr. Walther engaged in his present business in partnership with Felix C. Sexton. They occupy a substantial and commodious building on the corner of East Second and Jefferson streets, utilizing a space 100x150 feet square, including their plumbing, locksmithing, gun and tin shop. They do an extensive business in dynamite blasting powders, etc., and are agents for the California Powder Works, Mitchell & Lewis Company, Racine, Wisconsin, wagons, Champion harvesting machinery, J.I. Case farming implements, Hancock disk plows, Mitchell, Lewis & Staver & Company, Portland, buggies and spring wagons, and Flint & Walling windmills. Commencing with a limited capital the firm has increased to large proportions, employing not less than fourteen people, and doing an approximate business annually of $100,000. At Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in September, 1883, Mr. Walther was united in marriage to Susan A. Heitz, born in New York state, the daughter of Gregory and Carolina (Oldfield) Heitz. The father, deceased, was a native of Germany; the mother of Rome, New York. Her parents were New Englanders, and she now resides at Wapinitia. Our subject has two brothers, Adolph with Mays & Crowe, and Theodore, at El Cajon, California, employed on the vineyards which the brothers purchased in 1883. He now has thirty acres in grapes and peaches. Mrs. Walther has two brothers and two sisters; Gregor J., of Spokane, Washington; George, with his mother at Wapinitia; Aulousia, wife of M. Speischinger, of The Dalles, a farmer; and Tinney, married to B. Tapp, a farmer residing near Susanville, Oregon. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Walther; Harry E., aged sixteen; May Z., aged fourteen; and Gertrude, eleven years of age. Mr. Walther is a member of Friendship Lodge No. 9, K. of P., of which he has been master of exchequer for the past twelve years; Cascade Lodge No. 303 B.P.O.E.; and the W.O.W. He and his estimable wife are members of the Rathbone Sisters, of which she is mistress of finance. Our subject is a Republican and has, although not persistently active, been a member of county conventions. He at present carries life insurance to the amount of $22,000: $10,000 of which is co-partnership insurance. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2005 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.