Notes on Julius A. Balter
Julius A. Balter - The capable and intelligent citizen whose name is at the head of this article is one whose life of progressive achievement and untiring interest in the welfare of his county, eminently fits him to be represented in the history of Wallowa county, since also he has demonstrated his ability to cope with the force of the business world and to gain success in his endeavors, while his personal qualities of moral worth and integrity are patent to all, and have given him an enviable standing among his fellows and where ever he is known.
Like so many of our most prosperous and progressive citizens, Mr. Balter was born in Germany, November 21,1850, being the time and his parents Steven and Annie (Meyers) Balter were also natives of that country. When our subject was but six years of age his mother died. In his native country he received his educational training, and in the year 1863 accompanied his father to this country. They settled first in LaPorte County, Indiana. In 1878 the father went to Butler county, Kansas, and there retired from active business. In 1870 our subject started for himself in the activities of life, his first venture being to go to Illinois, where he farmed until 1875. In that year he went to Kansas and there continued the life of the agriculturist until 1883, then came direct to Wallowa county and settled on Prairie Creek taking a pre-emption claim of eighty acres. Later he sold this property and went to Joseph and opened a livery stable there, which he operated for three years. It was in 1898 that he purchased his present place of one-quarter section in the vicinity of Fruita, and here he devotes his attention to general farming and raising stock. Success has attended his efforts and he is numbered with the prosperous farmers of the county and is well known for his thrift and attention to the details of his business.
On May 16,1879 in Butler county, Kansas, mr. Balter married Miss Alice, daughter of Robert and Emma (French) Beith, the father being a native of Scotland and the mother of England. To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born the following children : William : Nellie : Birdie , deceased and buried in Prairie Creek cemetery : Robert. Mrs. Balter's parents were farmers of Butler county, Kansas. Mr Balter is a member of the K.O.T.M., tent No. 35, at Joseph. He is a man of good executive force and excellent adaptibility and with vigor and capabilities to handle successfully whatever he undertakes. He is well esteemed in his community and is secure in the confidence of all.
Illustrated History of Union and Wallowa Counties, Copyright 1902
Alice Henrietta Balter wrote this in a letter to her brother Lawrence Stephan Balter.
Julius and Aunt Alice & Berta came to Kansas , Julius built the kitchen on the folks house there East of Chelsea, Ollie and I helped him shingle the kitchen, Uncle Julius was full of fun and we had a lot of fun with him, he stayed there for 5 weeks.
March 1883 Julius and Alice moved to Wallowa County , Oregon and settled on Prairie Creek on the farm now owned by Norman McClain. They then moved onto the Imnaha at the park and lived there for five years, it was at the Imnaha river property where their son William Lawrence Balter was killed when a horse fell on him. They also lived for a while at Hood River, Oregon and Grandview, Washington.
Julius A. Balter was suddenly stricken by heart disease while cranking his car at a point about one half mile this side of Elgin on Sunday September 12th. Mr Balter was alone and was on his way from the Yakima valley to Joseph. He was found shortly after the attack and taken to Elgin and given medical attention but lived only about forty minutes. The funeral services were held at the Prairie Creek cemetery on Tuesday, by Reverend Akers of Enterprise.
The deceased was born in Prumburg, Germany , November 21, 1850, came to America in 1863. His mother died when he was 13 years of age and he made his own living working in the summer time and going to school in the winter, he obtained a common school education. After coming to America he lived in the East until 1875 when he went to Kansas. There he was united in marriage to Alice Beith on May 16, 1878, they came to Oregon in 1883. To this union were born four children, two have already passed away. He leaves to mourn his death an aged wife and two daughters , Mrs. Guy Mitchell of Joseph and Mrs. J. E. Lay of Enterprise and six Grand Children and a host of friends.
Wallowa County Reporter, September 16, 1920
Prairie Creek Cemetery
Located 2.1 Miles East of Joseph, Oregon on Sheep Creek Hwy, then South One mile
Township : 2S Range : 45E Section : 34
13 Acres fully tended
Julius Augustus Balter
Alice Viola Beith
Married May 16, 1878 El Dorado, Kansas
Batch Number : 8835603 Sheet : 82
Geographical Reference Library
American Genealogical Gazetteer:
Wallowa County, Oregon: Balter Creek Waterway
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