My Genealogy Hound

CONRAD WOLTER, a farmer residing on section 4, township 7, range 5, is one of the extensive land owners of Randolph County, his possessions including the home farm of one hundred and sixty acres, also one hundred and sixty acres on section 5, township 7, range 5, and ninety-four acres elsewhere in this county. The success which has resulted from Mr. Wolter’s efforts and the high position he now occupies among the agriculturists of the county are due to his untiring energy, indomitable perseverance and undoubted honesty. Beginning in life without capital, he has steadily worked his way upward until he is now numbered among the substantial and prosperous citizens of his locality.

Born in Hanover, Germany, February 11, 1839, the subject of this sketch is the son of Conrad and Wilhelmena (Handlemann) Wolter, who were born, reared and married in Hanover. Thence in 1852 they emigrated to the United States and settled in St. Louis, Mo., where they made a short sojourn. Afterward coming to Randolph County, they purchased forty acres in township 7, range 5, where the father engaged in farming during the remainder of his life. In the parental family there were seven children, of whom the following survive: Conrad; Christina, now Mrs. Werre, of Wine Hill; William W.; and Lena Caroline, wife of John Alwant, of this county. Three children died when small. The mother of this family died in October, 1870; the father survived a number of years, passing away March 11, 1884.

The subject of this sketch remained with his parents until his marriage, which occurred May 23, 1862. He was then united with Miss Louisa Dettmer, who was born in Hanover September 13, 1839, and came here when a child of seven or eight years. She was the daughter of Frederick and Mary (Mina) Dettmer. Of this union, nine children were born, five yet living, as follows: Herman, Sophia, Martin, Annie and Lena. Louisa died February 7, 1894, at the age of fifteen years. The other three died young.

After the death of his first wife, Mr. Wolter was a second time united in marriage, on the 31st of August, 1884, choosing as his companion Miss Caroline Cassel, who was born in St. Louis, Mo., December 31, 1850. Mrs. Wolter is a daughter of Conrad and Rachel (Handermann) Cassel, natives respectively of Brunswick and Hanover, Germany. The father came to the United States in 1845, and the mother two years later; they were married in St. Louis March 14, 1850. Mr. Cassel passed away July 6, 1882, while his wife died on the 22d of April, 1888. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wolter: Lydia, Hulda and Florence.

Beginning as a farmer with a tract of forty acres, Mr. Wolter added to his property from time to time until he is now the owner of four hundred and fourteen acres. He has no reason to regret having come to America, for success has rewarded his efforts here and he is numbered among the large land owners of Randolph County.

Politically, he votes with the Democratic party, and is active in its ranks. For sixteen consecutive years he served as Constable. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church at Wine Hill, with which the children are also identified. They are numbered among the best people of the county, where they are prominent in religious and social circles and are held in high esteem.