BIOGRAPHY - JOHN FALTER
John L. Falter, carrying on general agricultural pursuits, his time and energies being devoted to the further development, cultivation and improvement of a fine farm of two hundred and eighty acres in Mona township, is numbered among the native sons of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Kankakee county on the 5th of May, 1867. His parents were Louis and Margaret (Amie) Falter.
The father was a native of Germany and in early life became a resident of Columbus, Ohio, where he worked at day labor and thus gained a start in the business world. The year 1863 witnessed his arrival in Illinois, at which time he located in Kankakee county, but subsequently removed to Ford county. He here bought a farm, upon which he resided for three years, after which he went to Iroquois county and made it his home through the succeeding three years. Once more he came to Ford county and after carrying on general agricultural pursuits for three years he spent a similar period at Chebanse, Illinois. Again he came to Ford county and this time retained his residence here until he was called to his final rest, passing away in 1903. His wife died in 1901. In their family were the following children: George, deceased; Caroline, the wife of George Spear, of Chebanse, Illinois; Lillian, the wife of Harry Kanuss, a resident of Kansas; John L., of this review; Katherine, the wife of George Ogvigle, of Iowa; George, Henry and Dora, deceased; and Margaret, the wife of Theron Crystal, of Iowa.
As a farm boy John A. Falter enjoyed the sports in which the youths of the period usually indulged and later his time was largely devoted to the work of the schoolroom and the duties of the fields. He continued to assist his father until twenty-three years of age and then rented the homestead farm for two years. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Minnie E. Anderson, their marriage being celebrated in 1896. Mrs. Falter is one of a family of four children, whose parents were Andrew and Margaret Anderson. The father is now a resident of California but the mother is deceased. For seven years after their marriage Mr. Falter rented his father's farm, and with the capital which he saved during that period, purchased the farm upon which he now resides, comprising two hundred and eighty acres of rich and productive land. His fields are well tilled and he also makes a specialty of raising full blooded shorthorn cattle and thoroughbred shire horses. Both branches of his business are bringing him a good financial return and he is justly accounted one of the substantial agriculturists and stock-raisers of this part of the county.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Falter has been blessed with five children: Derwood L., Orval A., Margaret N., John L., Jr., and Arthur R. The parents attend and support the Methodist Episcopal church of Kempton. They are well known socially and have many friends in the community. Mr. Palter belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge at Kempton and is interested in public affairs, giving hearty cooperation to many movements for the general good. Politically a democrat, he is somewhat active in the work of the party and gives to it unflexible support. He served as collector of Mona township for three years and as school director for twelve years. The greater part of his life has been passed in this portion of the state and the favorable regard entertained for him by his fellow townsmen is proof that his life record has been an honorable one.
Extracted 17 Oct 2016 by Norma Hass from History of Ford County, Illinois, From Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, author E. A. Gardner, Volume 2, pages 781-783.
