Gottfried Walter was born on 29 Mar 1837 in Bavaria. He immigrated to the U.S. about 1854 (obituary). His port of embarkation and city of arrival are unknown. In the 1860 U.S. Federal Census, Gottfried worked as a Coal Miner. In the 1870 census, "Godfrey" was living in Wilkes-Barre Township, Luzerne, Pennsylvania. He was working as a carpenter, born in Bavaria, and a U.S. citizen. He was 33 years old. He was living with his wife, Lena, and and 5 children. His real estate value was $800. The 1880 census, "Godfried" listed birth place as Capria (sp), Germany. His parents were born in the same place. Gottfried was 43 years old and a farmer living in Lehman, Luzerne, Pennsylvania. In the Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Directories, 1889-1892, Gottfried was living at 28 Lehigh Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He was working as a laborer. In the 1900 census, Gottfried was 63 years old, born March 1837 in Germany. He immigrated in 1854 and married 40 years. He was a naturalized citizen. He was working as a laborer. He lived at 40 Lehigh Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. There was no mortgage on the house. In the 1910 census, "Godfrey" was 72 years old, born in Germany. He was married 50 years. He immigrated in 1860 and was naturalized. He was living with his wife, 4 sons and a granddaughter at 40 Lehigh Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. (Information was not correct, probably provided by one of his children - He immigrated in 1854, he was married 53 years. Correct information was in previous census reports and obituary.) He died on 25 Mar 1910, at age 72,in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne, Pennsylvania.
Comment: The 1900 census has March 1837 as the birth month and year, plus the three previous census records has his age which reflects the 1837 as birth year. Since Gottfried gave the information to the census taker, I believe that 29 Mar 1837 is his correct birth date. Death certificate
listed "Gangrene" as the cause of death. Table of Contents | Gottfried Walter family page 10 Jan 2017 |