My Genealogy Hound

HENRY K. WALT. Energy, industry and perseverance have been the essential factors in the business career of Henry K. Walt, a resident of Wyncote, Cheltenham township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and vice-president of the firm of Bell, Walt & Co. (incorporated), extensive manufacturers and jobbers of boots, shoes, etc. The progenitor of the Walt family came from Germany early in the eighteenth century, and settled in Salford township, Montgomery county. His name was Henry Walt.

Frederick Walt (grandfather), son of Henry Walt, the immigrant, was the owner of a tract of land consisting of nearly three hundred acres in Upper Salford, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. By means of unremitting labor he succeeded in bringing his farm under a high state of cultivation, and the products therefrom yielded him a goodly income, whereby he was enabled to provide his family with all the necessaries and some of the comforts of this world’s goods. His wife was a member of the Krause family. Mr. Walt lived to an advanced age, passing away in the eighty-fifth years of his age.

Francis Walt (father) was educated in the neighborhood schools. He was reared as a farmer, and followed that occupation all his life, conducting his operations on a farm of ninety acres, which was a portion of the land conveyed to him by his father. He was honorable and upright in all his dealings, took an interest in local affairs, and was honored and esteemed by his neighbors and friends. He was united in marriage to Linda Klein, and their family consisted of ten children, namely: 1. Amanda, who became the wife of William Pennypacker, and their children were: Ellwood, Jacob, who died at the age of seven years, Sallie, and Frank. 2. Jacob, who died in childhood. 3. Henry K., mentioned at length hereinafter. 4. Susan, who became the wife of Peter S. Boyer, and their children are: Regina, Peter, Linda, Susan, and Stettin. 5. Allen, who died in infancy. 6. Frederick, who died in infancy. 7. Hannah, who became the wife of Amandus Nyce, and they were the parents of one child, Mabel. 8. Franklin, who married Amanda Krause, a daughter of Daniel Krause, and their family consisted of two children: Melvin, deceased; and Francis. 9. Sarah, who became the wife of her brother-in-law, Amandus Nyce, after the death of her sister Hannah, and their children are: Mary, Charles H., and Laura. 10. Esther, who became the wife of Samuel Heaney, and their children are: Harry, and Earl. Francis Walt, father of these children, died in 1884, aged seventy-three years.

Henry K. Walt was reared on his father’s farm, and obtained his education in the public schools in the vicinity of his home. When he was sixteen years of age he went to Philadelphia, and there learned the trade of shoemaking, completing his apprenticeship with William H. Smith, at Salfordville. He then engaged in business on his own account, locating in Upper Salford township, where he remained for a period of almost three years. He then located in Schwenksville and engaged in the business of manufacturing shoes, which line of trade he continued for eight years, after which he went to Philadelphia, and for five years served in the capacity of salesman with the wholesale firm of T. Ross Sansom & Co., dealers in boots and shoes. At the expiration of this period of time he organized the firm of Bell, Walt & Co., their business being devoted to the manufacture and sale of boots, shoes, etc. The firm has since been incorporated, Mr. Walt being elected to the position of vice-president.

In addition to his private business affairs, which have always been conducted along honorable and straightforward lines, and therefore remarkably prosperous, he was largely instrumental in the organization of the Jenkintown Trust Company, of which he was elected president, which responsible position he holds at the present time (1904). He is also president of the Wyncote Improvement Association, and a director of the Central Trust and Savings Company of Philadelphia. He is a member of the board of commissioners of Cheltenham township, and serves as vice-president of the same. Mr. Walt has always been progressive and enterprising in his ideas, and in all projects that have for their end and aim the advancement of the community in which he resides he evinces a deep and material interest. He is an ardent supporter of the principles of Republicanism, taking an active interest in the candidates and measures of that party. He is a member of the Masonic order, Montgomery Lodge No. 19, of Philadelphia, Past Master of the same lodge, Past High Priest of Houghton Chapter No. 400 and a member of the Knights Templar.

Mr. Walt married Mary E. Roth, born April 19, 1846, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Boyer) Roth. Three children were born to them, as follows: Sallie, born January 30, 1868, who died April 3, 1875, at the age of seven years; Laura, born September 12, 1869, who died April 9, 1870, in infancy; and Mary E., born September 12, 1871, who became the wife of Dr. Milton K. Neiffer, and they are the parents of one daughter, Marie Neiffer. Mr. Walt is a member of the Lutheran church of Goshenhoppen, but he and his family attend the services of the Presbyterian church at Wyncote.