Death Garners For The Master's Store

One Of His Purest and Most Fruitful Sheaves.

Thus ends a life devoted to his firends, devoid of Guile, and absolutely free from the contaminating influences of 70 years.

Hon. Mark walter of this city, a very worthy citizen, and one of the early pioneers of Oakland County, died of general decline incident to old age, at his late residence on Andrews street, Sunday afternoon at 12:30,
Mark Walter was born in Gladstone Berrie, Somersetshire, England, Apr 27, 1826; came to America in 1832; lived nine years in Auburn N. Y.; came to Michigan and Clarkston in 1841; learned the miller's trade of H. L. Barkham in the old Paddock Mill, Pontiac, from 1841 to 1846, where he continued to work as a journeyman two years after which he spent two years in the west; returned to Pontiac and worked a number of years in the mills.
In 1859, in company with H. L. Paddock, embarked in the grocery and produce business. Paddock sold his interest after a few months to Stephen Winslow. In 1862, J. P. foster bought out Wilson, the firm becoming Walter & Foster, continuig until 1873.
During the latter co-partnership they did a very large business in produce, paying out as high as $500,000.00 annually. The year 1873 was a disastrous one for him, caused many lossed incident to handle perishable products, supplemented sever by family affictions.
Mr. Walter had held many offices of public trust. He was elected township clerk of the town of Pontiac, being the first repubician ever elected to any office in the township. He served as Alderman of the third ward from 1867 - 1869 inclusive; served as Marshall one term; was elected mayor in 1871; again elected Alderman of the third ward. Was trustee of Pontiac Union School District from 1872 to 1879, three years of which he served as director. He was elected County Clerk in 1881, serving one term. He held an important position in the Michigan House of Representatives four sessions.
He was a prominent member in the Masonic Order, filling most acceptably the office of Master of The Lodge, High Priest of Oakland Chapter, R. A. M., P. C. W. in the council of R & S. M., Prelate of Pontiac Commandery No. 2, for a number of years, and many subordinate positions in all the bodies. At the time of his death and for several years previous he was Secetary of the Oakland County Pioneer Society.
He loved Masonry, both for its tenets and ritualism and it was these that first led him to think seriously of what the import. He espoused the cause of christianity in middle life, and some time after became an acceptable member of the M. E. church, taking an active part in all his church relations. He lived as he died, a faithful follower of his Lord and Master.
He was married in 1852 to Sarah L. Farnham, to whom were born twelve children, five girls and seven boys; all but two daughters survive him: Charles, R. C., Edward and George of Chicago; Miss Flora, Mrs. Thasie Jarrard, Frederick, Lewis, and Mrs Maud Webb of Pontiac, and Dr. William of Ocean Grove, California.
The funeral was held at the M. E. Church, under the direction of the Masonic fraternity, on Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock.
The services at the church were conducted by the pastor, Rev F. C. Pillsbury; at the grave in Oak Hill Cemetery, by the Lodge; the pall bearers were from Oakland County Chapter, and the certege escorted by the Sir Knights of Pontiac Commandery.
Mark Walter was for eighteen years an attache, at will, of the Gazette. For eighteen years, almost daily, he had a desk or writing table at his disposal. No Task was ever imposed upon him, but he had the same ambitiion and took the same pride in editorial work and news gathering that would have actuated him had he been pecuniarly interested in the success of the paper. He was ever welcome and was a pleasant companion, judicious adviser and true friend.
Mr. Walter had long been afflicted with an incurable malady, which rendered an active life of the engaging in business out of the question. But his mind was clear and his faculties under full control up to a very recent date. Mark Walter was a peculiar man, with a striking make-up. He was extraordinary in many intellectual accomplishments. Had he in youth had the mental training vouchsafed to the youth of his generation, and been disiplined to a profession callein, he would have been one among the foremost men of his day in literature, politics or professional life. Poverty was his early handmaid, and almost constant attendant in early life; and associated with her was that other companion, open-hearted liberality, which never knew a refusal of any financial appeal, while a nickle remained in his possession This inseparable combination was always at war with his early aspirations for a higher life, for which he had the constant longing of a thirsty soul which sees the promise pool of mental delight just beyond reach.
his knowledge of books, of all learned theories in science and metaphysics was wonderful. His mastery of the great writings of ancient and modern times, his familiarity with history, both sacred and profane, and the development and progress of applied science, his intimacy with poetry of all ages, stamped him as the possessor of a rare mental capacity which had only needed early direction and opportunity to have placed him in the highest walks of life among men.
He was wonderfully congenial, companionable man, warm- hearted and sympathetic, ever on the alert to pour the oil of healing into the lacerated hearts of his fellows. The pages of the Gazette for the past twenty years bear testimony to the kindly disposition and tender sympathies of our friend for these in affiction. During all these two decades he has been a faithful biographical and necrological recorder for the passing generation.
Blessed as he had been with but less than eighteen months schooling, reared as he was amid the proverty of early pioneer life, he acuired habits of thought and investigation rarely met with among those reared under more favorable circumstances. he was liberal in his views, seldom denunciatory of those holdings opposite opinions, but firm as a rock of ages for what he considered to be fundamentally right. He was an ardent friend of education, and took a lively interest in the success and prosperity of all educational institutions He was strong for the right as he saw it, and no more devoted, consistent temperance advocate ever lived.
The memory of Mark walter will live in the hearts of all who Knew him young and old, while those hearts continue to throb with the pulsation of life.
Requiescat in peace.