JOHN W. WALTERS, one of Sullivan county's progressive farmers, whose farm home is situated in Haddon township, is a native of this part of Sullivan county, born April 12, 1856, a son of Joel O. and Nancy (Land) Walters. The father was born in Jessamine county, Kentucky, January 18, 1824, one of seven children born to Luke and Evarilla (Lamb) Walters, who were natives of Virginia, but who settled in Kentucky and removed from that state to Sullivan county, Indiana, in 1830. They resided in Haddon township the remainder of their days. The mother of John W. Walters was born in Haddon township, September 8, 1823, and died in 1895, her husband dying two years previous to her death. Nancy Land was a daughter of James R. and Jane (Willis) Land, who was twice married, Nancy being a daughter by the first marriage. Joel O. and Nancy (Land) Walters were united in marriage March 28, 1848, and to their union ten children were born, of whom the following are living: Mahala, widow of James H. Willis; John W., of this biography; and Permellia. The remainder of the family are all deceased.
Joel O. Walters was a very successful farmer, and at one time owned three hundred acres of land. Politically he was a firm supporter of the Democratic party, while both he and his faithful wife were members of the Christian church. The great-grandfathers on both sides were in the Revolutionary war, and two great uncles were in the war of 1812; two second cousins also served in the Mexican war, and three uncles were in the Civil war. None of this number who went forth to defend their country ever received a wound.
John W. Walters, son of Joel O., was reared on his father's farm and remained at home until twenty-five years of age, then began farming for himself in Haddon township, continuing until the present time. In the spring of 1882 he purchased a farm of eighty acres in the northeast part of the township. This he sold in the autumn of 1882 and bought sixty-six acres where he now lives. To this he has added until he now has one hundred and eighty-six acres, situated a half mile west of Paxton. Here he carries on in a most successful manner both grain and stock farming. He handles considerable stock, and ships from one to two carloads each year. Besides his extensive farm operations, he is one of the stockholders in the Carlisle Telephone Company. In his political belief he is a Prohibitionist, believing as he does, that the liquor business in all of its evil forms, will never be controlled or totally suppressed by either of the old political parties.
April 1, 1881, Mr. Walters was married to Anna Nash, born near Paxton, Sullivan county, Indiana, October 31, 1860, and educated in her native county. She is a daughter of James L. and Sarah (Ross) Nash, both being natives of Haddon township, Sullivan county. James L. Nash was born March 16, 1829, and was one of the nine children born to Marvel W. and Leah (Love) Nash, who were counted among the pioneers of Sullivan county, and came in from the state of Kentucky. September 16, 1854, James L. Nash married Sarah J. Ross, born in Sullivan county, July 9, 1835. To this union four children were born: Robert D., of Shelburn; John M., of Paris, California, where he is a professor in the high schools; Leah Ann, Mrs. Walters; Marvel, residing in Vigo county, Indiana, now telegraph operator and also owns a farm in Haddon township. Sarah J. (Ross) Nash died December 25, 1873. James L. Nash then married Eliza J. (Summers) Curry. Mr. Nash owned at one time about four hundred and twenty-five acres of land, and represented his county in the state legislature in the session of 1875. He was instrumental in securing the passage of the "Fees and Salaries" bill, as well as one for reducing taxes in the state. He was a county commissioner for four years, and in church connection was an elder in the Christian church. He died November 10, 1896, and his widow now resides on the old homestead.
To Mr. and Mrs. Walters were born nine children, as follows: Lorena, born December 29, 1881, attended the University at Vincennes and also the Union Christian College at Merom, Indiana, is now the wife of Carl Gobin, residing in Haddon township; James Nash, born March 7, 1884, unmarried, took a course in the Correspondence School of Scranton, Pennsylvania, after which he went to Buffalo and engaged with the Bell Telephone Company, and is now superintendent of maintainance of the cable at Rochester, New York; Bessie, born September 20, 1885, unmarried, educated in the common schools and now at home; Joel E., born September 27, 1887, died May 11, 1888; William L., born June 17, 1889, unmarried and at home; Melvin E., born March 7, 1891, unmarried and attending the Carlisle high school; Jennie, born March 10, 1895; Marvil W., born November 12, 1897; R. Ross, born July 25, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Walters, together with their family, are members of the Christian church, of which he has been a elder eleven years, as well as chairman of the official board.